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.
Extended Temperature UHMW for High-Heat Environments
TIVAR® H.O.T. (Higher Operating Temperature) is a premium UHMW-PE formulation that maintains its performance properties in environments up to 275°F. This represents a nearly 100°F increase in operating range compared to standard UHMW-PE formulations.
By inhibiting the oxidation process at elevated temperatures, TIVAR® H.O.T. significantly slows material degradation. In many high-heat or thermo-cycling applications, this material lasts up to 10 times longer than competing formulations, offering superior wear resistance and excellent release characteristics.
Looking for standard food-grade options? For applications staying below 180°F, we stock Natural Virgin UHMW (the industry standard workhorse).
Why Choose TIVAR® H.O.T.?
Specifically formulated for the "Heat Zone," TIVAR® H.O.T. is a strong choice for food processing and industrial conveying where steam, friction, or ambient heat cause standard plastics to fail. It is the best choice if you need:
Extended Thermal Range:
Reliable performance up to 275°F, far exceeding the 180°F limit of standard UHMW.
Oxidation Resistance:
Helps inhibit oxidation and slow material degradation in high-heat and thermo-cycling environments.
FDA Compliant:
Adheres to FDA compliance requirements.
Superior Wear Life:
Outlasts standard materials by up to 10x in elevated temperatures due to its specialized additives.
Chemical Washdown Resilience:
Highly resistant to the corrosive chemicals and moisture typical in food-grade sanitation cycles.
TIVAR® H.O.T. vs. Standard UHMW: Which Do You Need?
While both materials share the same extreme wear resistance and low-friction properties that characterize UHMW, their thermal limits define their ideal environments.
Choose TIVAR® H.O.T. (This Sheet) if your application involves spiral conveyors in baking, dehydrating systems, or equipment exposed to frequent high-temp chemical washdowns (such as meat and poultry processing). It is essential when continuous operating temperatures exceed 180°F.
Choose Natural Virgin UHMW for general-purpose wear strips, bulk handling chute liners, and chain guides in ambient temperatures. It provides the same impact strength and sliding abrasion resistance at a lower cost for non-thermal environments.
Fabrication & Machining
TIVAR® H.O.T. is easily machined using standard woodworking or metalworking tools. It can be drilled, routed, and saw-cut with precision, though coarse threads remain recommended for any mechanical fastening.
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 SH
Technical Performance
TIVAR® H.O.T. is an advanced engineering thermoplastic formulated to inhibit oxidation and maintain exceptional wear properties in environments where temperatures reach up to 275°F.
Operates continuously in environments up to 275°F, which is nearly 100°F higher than standard UHMW-PE formulations.
Oxidation Resistance:
Specialized additives help inhibit oxidation, significantly slowing degradation in thermo-cycling applications.
Elevated Wear Life:
Formulated to last up to 10x longer than competing materials in elevated temperature environments.
Key Properties
FDA Compliance:
Complies with FDA requirements for use in dairy, bakery, poultry/meat, and other food processing industries.
Release Characteristics:
Excellent non-stick surface prevents material buildup in bulk handling, packaging, and baking processes.
Chemical & Moisture Resistance:
Resistant to most corrosive washdown chemicals and absorbs near-zero moisture.
Common Industrial Applications
Baking & Dehydrating: Wear strips for spiral conveyors and components in conveyor dryers operating in high heat.
Meat & Poultry Processing: Conveyor components and wear pads exposed to frequent high-temperature chemical washdowns.
Material Handling: Drag conveyor flights for grain elevators and liners for bulk moving equipment.
General Conveying: Machined parts, chain guides, and wear plates designed to reduce friction and extend wear-life.
Engineering Limitations & Alternatives
While TIVAR® H.O.T. greatly extends the thermal limits of standard polyethylene, specific mechanical environments may require different plastics:
Structural Rigidity: Like all UHMW, it is susceptible to "creep" (cold flow) under heavy static loads and is not intended for structural framing. Better Alternative: For high-load bearings or structural gears, choose Cast Nylon.
Machining Tolerances: Due to thermal expansion, it is difficult to hold extremely tight dimensional tolerances. Better Alternative: For precision machined parts requiring stiffness, consider Acetal (Delrin®).
Extreme Heat: While it excels up to 275°F, continuous service above this threshold will eventually cause the material to soften. Better Alternative: For extreme high-heat wear applications exceeding 275°F, consider PTFE (Teflon®) or PEEK.
