Plastics — Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (PE-UHMW) moulding and extrusion materials — Part 1: Designation system and basis for specifications

This document establishes a system of designation for thermoplastic PE-UHMW materials, which can be used as the basis for specifications.

For the purposes of this document, PE-UHMW materials are polyethylene materials having a melt mass-flow rate (MFR) of less than 0,1 g/10 min, measured at 190 °C and 21,6 kg load.

NOTE It has been confirmed that the melt volume-flow rate (MVR) is useful for characterizing some PE-UHMW materials (e.g. pipe materials) under the test condition of 230 °C/21,6 kg and bore diameter of die with 3,628 mm (see ISO 21304-2).

The types of PE-UHMW are differentiated from each other by a classification system based on appropriate levels of the designatory properties:

a) viscosity number;

b) elongational stress;

c) Charpy double-notched impact strength;

and on information about the intended application and/or method of processing, important properties, additives, colorants, fillers and reinforcing materials.

This designation system is applicable to all PE-UHMW homopolymers and to ultra-high-molecular-weight copolymers of ethylene having a content of other 1-olefinic monomers of less than 50 % by mass and a content of non-olefinic monomers with functiona