The primary market, however, for HMW-HDPE is in film applications, where its toughness allows downgauging in merchandise bags and trash bags. Values proposed in the past have ranged from as low as 1,000,000 to over 3,500,000. Several years ago, an ASTM task force agreed on the value of 3,100,000 molecular weight as the dividing line, above which the UHMW description should apply. Resin properties increase with increasing MW and start to level off at the 3,100,000 value. Also, processibility is more difficult above that dividing line, and material cost rises more rapidly.
Methods used currently are compression molding, ram extrusion, and warm forging of extruded slugs.
UHMW polyethylene has outstanding abrasion resistance and a low coefficient of friction. Impact strength is high, and chemical resistance is excellent. Most PP parts are produced by injection molding, blow molding, or extrusion of either unmodified or reinforced compounds. Polypropylene is a low-density resin that offers a good balance of thermal, chemical, and electrical properties, along with moderate strength and moderate cost. Strength properties are increased significantly with glass-fiber reinforcement.