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.
The Ideal Low-Friction Shield for Industrial Equipment
Natural Virgin UHMW Wear Strips are the industrial gold standard for high-slip applications. With a 0.15 coefficient of friction, these self-lubricating strips keep lines moving where metal-on-metal contact fails.
Engineered for high-slip applications, Virgin UHMW outwears carbon steel by up to 10 to 1 in sliding abrasion environments. By replacing metal-on-metal contact with these "slick" strips, you significantly reduce noise, energy consumption, and maintenance downtime.
Looking for a UV-stabilized option? For outdoor use, we stock Black Virgin UHMW.
Why Choose Virgin UHMW Wear Strips?
Unlike standard polyethylene, Virgin UHMW features extremely long molecular chains that provide unmatched toughness. These strips are the correct choice if your application requires:
Superior Sliding Abrasion: Perfect for conveyor guide rails, chain guides, and chute liners where high-speed friction is constant.
Zero Moisture Absorption: Unlike Nylon, UHMW maintains 0.01% moisture absorption, ensuring guide rails maintain precision tolerances even in high-pressure wash-down environments where Nylon would swell and cause line jams.
FDA & USDA Compliant: Natural Virgin grade is fully approved for direct food contact, making it the standard for food processing and bottling lines.
Impact & Crack Resistance: Virtually unbreakable even in cryogenic temperatures, providing a resilient cushion for heavy-duty material handling.
UHMW vs. HDPE: Which Is Right for Your Application?
While both materials are part of the polyethylene family, their performance in wear applications differs significantly.
Choose UHMW (These Strips) if you have a "moving part" application. Its higher molecular weight provides the lubrication and abrasion resistance needed for guides, wear plates, and bearings.
Choose HDPE if you are building a static structure, tank, or barrier where wear resistance is less critical than rigidity and weldability.
UHMW Wear Strips are easily fabricated using standard woodworking tools. They can be drilled, countersunk, and routed for custom fitments. Because UHMW has a high coefficient of thermal expansion, slotted holes for fasteners allow the material to "breathe" during temperature fluctuations. Note: UHMW is "non-stick" and cannot be effectively bonded with standard adhesives; mechanical fastening is required.
Need a Sample?Verify the performance in your environment with a sample pack:
When you order from Interstate Plastics, you're accessing an expansive nationwide network of material expertise. We source our UHMW from premium domestic manufacturers to ensure you receive genuine Virgin grade material—stocking brands like Tivar®, Polystone®, and our proprietary IPX® technology.
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.
UHMNV SHSTRIPS
Technical Performance & Ultra-Low Friction
Natural Virgin UHMW (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) Wear Strips are engineered for the most demanding sliding applications. With a molecular weight ranging from 3 to 6 million, these strips provide a nearly frictionless surface (dynamic coefficient of friction ~0.15) that outperforms almost any other engineering plastic in wear resistance. They are the industrial standard for balancing ultra-low friction with high abrasion resistance—outperforming PTFE in heavy-load mechanical wear.
Self-Lubricating Surface: The extremely low coefficient of friction allows parts to glide effortlessly across the surface, reducing heat buildup and energy costs for conveyor motors.
No Added Lubricants: Provides a 'dry-slick' surface that requires no grease or oil, eliminating the risk of lubricant contamination in food and pharmaceutical packaging.
Cryogenic Stability: Unlike other plastics that become brittle in the cold, UHMW remains ductile and shatter-resistant at temperatures as low as -450°F (-267°C).
Zero Water Absorption: With a 24-hour immersion rate of less than 0.01%, these strips are dimensionally stable in humid or submerged environments, ensuring your guide rails never swell or seize.
Regulatory Compliance & Industrial Standards
ASTM & Federal Standards: Meets ASTM D4020 for UHMW-PE materials and satisfies federal specifications for heavy-duty industrial wear components.
FDA, USDA & 3-A Dairy: Natural Virgin grade is compliant with FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 and USDA standards for food processing, making it safe for direct contact with meat, poultry, and dairy.
Key Properties for Industrial Wear
Extreme Impact Damping: Unlike rigid plastics that can crack or shatter under stress, UHMW is virtually unbreakable. It acts as a shock absorber for high-speed bottling lines and heavy material handling, maintaining its integrity even in sub-zero temperatures where other materials become brittle.
High Chemical Resistance: Highly resistant to corrosive chemicals, including concentrated acids and alkalis, as well as organic solvents (excluding oxidizing acids).
Noise Reduction: The material's high density acts as a vibration dampener, significantly reducing the "chatter" and clatter of metal chains and rollers.
Non-Marking: Unlike metal or rubber, UHMW will not mark or mar the finished surfaces of products moving along a production line.
Common Wear Strip Applications
Conveying & Bottling: Chain guides, conveyor wear tracks, neck guides, and side rail stiffeners.
Food Processing: Wash-down rail covers, guide strips for deboning tables, and dough hopper edge-guards.
Material Handling: Protective runner strips for pallets, flight wear strips, and friction pads for sorting slides.
Packaging Machinery: Friction-reducing strips for case sealers, palletizers, and labeling station guides.
Engineering Considerations & Alternatives
While Natural UHMW is the industrial standard for wear, specific environments may require a specialized grade to prevent premature component failure:
High Thermal Loads: Standard UHMW has a continuous service limit of ~180°F. If your application involves steam cleaning or extreme friction heat, standard strips may warp. Solution: Consider Tivar® HOT for extended life in temperatures up to 275°F.
Static Electricity: In electronics manufacturing or grain handling, sliding friction can build up static charges that attract dust or cause hazardous discharge. Solution: Choose Antistatic (ESD) UHMW to safely dissipate static buildup.
Outdoor UV Exposure: Natural (White) UHMW will "chalk" and become brittle under long-term UV exposure. Best for Industrial Outdoor: For non-food applications like aggregate guides or exterior machinery, choose Black UV-Stabilized UHMW. Note: Standard Black UHMW is not FDA-compliant.
Mounting & Thermal Expansion: UHMW has a high expansion rate. For long runs, always use slotted holes for fasteners to allow the material to "breathe" without buckling. Because UHMW is chemically inert, it cannot be bonded with adhesives; mechanical fastening is required. Pro Tip: Use countersunk bolts or specialized fasteners to ensure a flush, snag-free sliding surface.
