As per our Shipping and Returns Policy, custom cuts and fabricated parts are non-returnable. If you need an over- or undersized item, note it under "Comments" during Checkout. Cut-to-size orders have an acceptable cut tolerance of 1/8" (0.125"), so clarify if the adjustment is to be made on the (+) or (-) side of the saw blade.Please review our full return and shipping policy here.
Measure Twice, Cut Once
Since custom cuts and fabricated parts are non-refundable, be very careful while measuring your dimensions. As each cut is nominal, even the slightest miscalculation could be costly.
How to Use a Measuring Tape
Extend your tape measure several inches to find the 1 and 2 inch markers. In between the inch markers you’ll find 16 equally spaced tick marks.
Measure by counting the increments beyond the nearest inch. As the increments decrease, so does the length of the mark. For example, 1/2" has a bigger mark than 1/4" which has a bigger mark than 1/8". The smallest mark follows at 1/16". Please be aware that some measuring tapes may have even smaller increments.
Features of a Measuring Tape: Sliding End Hook
The sliding end hook is designed for two different types of measurements. An outside measurement (where the hook of the tape hangs over an edge), requires the hook to slide out a bit to account for the thickness of the material. When making an inside measurement (where the hook will push up against a surface), the clip slides in, again, accounting for its thickness. The measuring tape self-adjusts to guarantee an accurate measurement (as far as the tape is concerned).
Sanitizing Acrylic and Polycarbonate Sheet [X]
Acrylic and Polycarbonate Sneeze Guards and like products require special care while cleaning and disinfecting. To maintain the optical clarity of sneeze guards and other acrylic or polycarbonate items, use an acrylic or polycarbonate safe cleaner like Novus Plastic Polish #1, Brillianize Plastic Cleaner, or a mild soap solution.
Please reference the following compatible cleaners when DISINFECTING acrylic and polycarbonate items. The use of commonly available commercial alcohol or ammonia-based disinfectants may cause crazing and damage.
An Economical Choice for Wear Resistance & Low Friction Properties
Black Reprocessed HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) sheet is a highly economical alternative to virgin HDPE. Manufactured from recycled resins, this material is a recycled-content solution for high abrasion environments.
Good utility wear resistance, impact toughness, and a low coefficient of friction make reprocessed HDPE a popular choice for budget-conscious projects such as liners, guides, wear strips, and protective components.
Widely utilized in the mechanical engineering industry, black Reprocessed HDPE is the ideal utility sheet for applications that require a slick, durable surface but do not require FDA compliance or pristine aesthetics. It excels in heavy-duty material handling environments where cost efficiency is just as important as mechanical performance.
Note on Surface Finish: This is an unmasked, industrial-grade plastic. Minor scuffs are normal and do not affect performance. If you require a pristine, textured cosmetic finish (e.g., for visible boat cabinetry), we recommend King Starboard®.
Looking for FDA-compliant or extreme wear options? We stock Natural Virgin HDPE for food contact and Virgin UHMW for unsurpassed sliding abrasion.
Why Choose Black Reprocessed HDPE?
This sheet is engineered to provide essential wear properties while keeping material costs low. Choose reprocessed HDPE if your application requires:
Economical Wear Resistance:
Offers high abrasion resistance for protective wear strips and rub rails at a fraction of the cost of virgin plastics.
Low Coefficient of Friction:
Provides a smooth, slick surface ideal for chute and hopper liners, preventing material build-up and promoting flow.
Impact Toughness:
Maintains the excellent impact strength characteristic of polyethylene, absorbing physical shocks in mechanical engineering applications.
Chain & Belt Guidance:
Well-suited for chain guides and conveyor tracks where reducing metal-on-metal friction is necessary.
Moisture Resistance:
Like all HDPE, it absorbs virtually no moisture and will not swell or degrade in wet environments.
Reprocessed HDPE vs. Virgin HDPE: Which Do You Need?
While both offer excellent impact strength and moisture resistance, they fit similar but distinct applications.
Choose Reprocessed HDPE (This Sheet) if cost savings and utility are your priorities. It is ideal for lower-cost industrial wear strips, hoppers, and guides where color consistency and FDA compliance are not required.
Choose Natural Virgin HDPE if you need a material that is FDA compliant, requires more consistent machining results, or demands uniform structural aesthetics.
UHMW vs. HDPE: What's the Difference?
While both are polyethylene-based plastics, they excel in different environments.
Choose HDPE (This Sheet) when stiffness, weldability, or lower cost matters most. HDPE is a more rigid option for structural tanks, but it typically wears faster in abrasive environments.
Choose UHMW when durability and wear life are the top priorities. Its long molecular chains provide excellent toughness and sliding abrasion resistance.
Black Reprocessed HDPE is fabrication-friendly using standard woodworking tools. You can easily cut, drill, and rout the material for custom wear strips or liners. Because it is a recycled grade, it may have slight internal stresses and minor inclusions - it is best suited for utility fabrication rather than high-tolerance precision machining. It can also be heat-welded using standard HDPE welding equipment.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Carbon Black, CAS 1333-86-4, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
Handling: Cut sheets may have sharp edges. We recommend wearing protective gloves when unpacking and handling this material to ensure safety.
Suitability: We take pride in the quality of our materials as they leave our facility. However, because every project is unique, we cannot account for how materials are modified, stored, or used after delivery. Please perform the necessary tests to ensure this material is right for your specific application and end-use conditions.
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Technical Performance
Black Reprocessed HDPE provides an effective balance of mechanical toughness, low sliding friction, and high wear resistance for heavy-duty industrial applications where utility and budget are prioritized over aesthetics.
Abrasion Resistance:
Offers high durability against sliding wear, making it an excellent sacrificial material to protect more expensive metal equipment.
Friction Coefficient:
Low surface friction helps prevent material bridging, sticking, and bottlenecks in bulk material handling.
Moisture Absorption:
Near-zero water absorption ensures parts will not swell, rot, or degrade in wet or submerged environments.
UV Resistance:
This material is more UV-resistant than natural HDPE in outdoor applications.
Key Properties
Economical Value:
Significantly lowers material costs compared to virgin HDPE while maintaining reliable utility performance.
Impact Strength:
High energy absorption prevents cracking, splintering, and shattering under repetitive mechanical stress.
Chemical Resistance:
Highly resistant to many common industrial chemicals, mild acids, and alkalis, protecting underlying structures.
Machinability:
Easily fabricated, cut, and routed using standard woodworking tools, reducing installation time and costs.
Common Industrial Applications
Wear Strips: Protects conveyor belts, guide rails, and structural metal from abrasive wear in processing facilities.
Chute and Hopper Liners: Provides a slick, durable surface to promote the uninterrupted flow of bulk materials like aggregate, grain, or soil.
Chain Guides: Reduces friction, noise, and wear on metal chains in mechanical power transmission and engineering systems.
Industrial Dunnage: Used for heavy-duty blocking, protective bumpers, and utility fixtures in manufacturing plants.
Engineering Limitations & Alternatives
While Black Reprocessed HDPE is an economical utility sheet, specific project requirements may dictate a different grade or material:
FDA & Food Contact: Reprocessed grades utilize recycled content and are not FDA compliant for direct food contact. Better Alternative: For food handling or processing equipment, choose Natural Virgin HDPE.
Extreme Wear Life: While reprocessed HDPE is durable, it cannot match the extreme sliding abrasion resistance of longer-chain polyethylenes. Better Alternative: For high-speed or constant-friction applications, consider Virgin UHMW.
High Operating Temperatures: Standard polyethylenes have a relatively low heat resistance, with a maximum continuous service temperature of approximately 160°F. Better Alternative: For high-heat environments, consider PTFE.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Carbon Black, CAS 1333-86-4, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information go to