UHMW is a common plastic known for extreme durability, versatility, and cost-effectiveness. You can also count on UHMW parts to be reliably abrasion, impact, and chemical resistant. Order your custom machined UHMW parts today in a matter of minutes.
Instant quote
A: 1″ x 2″
B: 30″ x 44″
Custom quote
C: 30″ x 47″
.375″ (9.53mm)
.500″ (12.7mm)
These tabs hold your parts in place while being cut to ensure the best accuracy possible. Click below to learn what to expect and how to best design with these tabs in mind.
Our Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene, or UHMW for short, was crafted as a unique solution for projects that needed durability, low friction, and chemical resistance. That means it’s used most often in wear applications that need a longer lifespan.
UHMW is self-lubricating, which ensures smooth and noiseless operations. Known for its extremely high molecular weight, it features an unsurpassed combination of slickness, toughness, and impact resistance.
UHMW is also easy to machine with common woodworking tools, one of the contributing factors to its cost-effectiveness. The truly surprising thing about parts made from UHMW is that they often outperform metal parts in specific applications.
As with other plastics like HDPE, UHMW is an excellent fit for marine construction applications for things like dock fender pads, pile guards, and anti-skid walkways. Similarly, these two materials tend to replace wood in these scenarios and they do not rot, splinter, or corrode like wood.
We guarantee awesome quality parts. If you’re not 100% happy, we’ll give you a refund or remake on the spot – no questions, no hassle.
SendCutSend offers UHMW in two thickness options: .375″ (9.53mm) and .500″ (12.7mm).
When ordering UHMW through SendCutSend, there are specific size and thickness parameters to keep in mind. For instant quoting, the smallest part size available is 1″ x 2″, while the largest part supported is 30″ x 44″. For larger projects, custom quotes are available for sizes up to 30″ x 47″.
You can add the following services to your UHMW parts:
CNC Routing
We accept .ai, .dxf, .dwg, .eps, .stp, and .step
Customize one of our simple parts templates
UHMW (Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene) is one of the toughest and most wear-resistant plastics used in fabrication. Known for its extremely low coefficient of friction and exceptional impact strength, UHMW is often chosen for parts that must endure sliding contact, abrasive wear, heavy load impacts, and repetitive mechanical abuse. Unlike rigid engineering plastics like Delrin, UHMW behaves more like a durable, slick, self-lubricating surface. It’s used in conveyor systems, guides, wear pads, high-impact bumpers, and heavy-duty industrial components that need long service life in challenging environments. At SendCutSend, we CNC route USA-sourced UHMW in .375” and .500” thicknesses to ±.005” tolerance, producing tough, reliable parts suitable for industrial, marine, mechanical, and agricultural applications.
These qualities make UHMW one of the most durable plastics available for heavy-duty applications.
Fabricators choose UHMW when they need a material that can survive continuous abrasion, sliding contact, and mechanical impact without degrading. It’s often used as a long-life replacement for rubber, nylon, or metal components that wear too quickly or cause friction issues. Reasons fabricators rely on UHMW:
UHMW is the material of choice when the goal is longevity under friction, abrasion, and repeated mechanical stress.
UHMW is one of the most abrasion-resistant plastics available. It significantly outlasts nylon, HDPE, and many metals in sliding or abrasive environments.
UHMW is extremely slick, similar to PTFE but with much greater impact strength. It’s perfect for:
The self-lubricating surface reduces noise and friction without added lubricants.
UHMW can absorb heavy impacts without cracking. It performs well in cold environments where other plastics become brittle. Ideal for:
UHMW resists:
Its resistance makes it highly reliable in marine, agricultural, industrial, and outdoor settings.
UHMW doesn’t rot, corrode, or degrade easily, giving it an exceptionally long service life even under demanding conditions.
UHMW is tough but flexible. It’s not ideal for applications requiring high stiffness or precision geometry. For rigid plastics, consider:
UHMW tends to “move” slightly under machining pressure and can spring back due to internal stresses. Ultra-tight tolerances are not recommended.
Most adhesives will not bond to UHMW. Mechanical fastening is required.
Extended sun exposure can cause surface chalking or degradation. For outdoor panels or decorative outdoor use, choose:
UHMW softens around ~180°F (82°C). Avoid use near engines, heaters, or high-friction heat.
UHMW routes cleanly but behaves differently from more rigid plastics. It is soft, slick, and slightly elastic, so small design tweaks lead to better performance.
SendCutSend routes UHMW to ±.005”, but keep in mind that UHMW’s natural elasticity may cause small dimensional shifts in very tight-fit geometries.
To get the longest life and best performance from UHMW, design with its flexibility, elasticity, and low friction in mind.
Choose .500” for parts that require rigidity or load-bearing.
Sections thinner than 0.25” may flex or deform under use.
Rounded internal features improve durability and reduce stress cracking.
UHMW does not bond with adhesives; use fasteners, interlocking features, or clamps.
UHMW compresses and rebounds — avoid press fits or extremely tight alignment requirements. For more best practices: SendCutSend’s design guidelines
UHMW is used in demanding environments where constant wear, sliding friction, impact, or moisture would destroy other plastics. Typical applications include:
UHMW is an industrial staple especially in environments where heavy movement, abrasion, or debris are common.
UHMW at SendCutSend is sourced from U.S. suppliers, ensuring consistent sheet density, predictable machining behavior, and reliable performance across thicknesses. All CNC routing, inspection, and shipping of parts ordered through SendCutSend take place in our three U.S. facilities:
This domestic workflow allows us to maintain fast lead times, tight tolerances, and stable material availability.
Use UHMW when you need a tough, low-friction, abrasion-resistant material that can take years of sliding, impact, vibration, and heavy mechanical use. UHMW is ideal if your part must:
At SendCutSend, we CNC route USA-sourced UHMW to ±.005” accuracy in .375” and .500” thicknesses, giving you durable components built for long-term performance in the toughest applications.
