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.
Durable, Low-Friction Formwork for Architectural Concrete
Natural Virgin UHMW (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) Rustication Reveal Strips are a reliable solution for creating crisp, clean architectural reveals and shadow lines in tilt-up and cast-in-place concrete applications.
Engineered for easy release, Virgin UHMW helps reduce concrete adhesion and is a highly reusable component for multiple pours compared to traditional forming materials. Replacing wood strips with these durable profiles helps reduce the risk of form damage and minimize cleanup time.
Looking for improved outdoor performance? We also offer Black Virgin UHMW.
Why Choose Virgin UHMW Rustication Strips?
Unlike porous wood and many lower-impact plastics, Virgin UHMW features extremely long molecular chains that provide excellent toughness. These strips are a strong choice if your project requires:
Excellent Release Properties:
The low-friction surface helps concrete release cleanly, reducing sticking and the risk of surface damage during form removal.
Near-Zero Moisture Absorption:
Maintains a less than 0.01% moisture absorption rate, helping prevent the strips from swelling, warping, or splitting like wood in wet environments.
Impact & Crack Resistance:
Highly resilient, absorbing hammer strikes and jobsite wear while maintaining strong impact performance even in cold weather conditions.
Longevity & Reusability:
Designed to outlast traditional forming materials, providing consistent reveals pour after pour to reduce material replacement costs.
UHMW vs. Wood or HDPE: Which Is Right for Your Forms?
While wood is a traditional choice, UHMW's performance in repetitive applications differs significantly.
Choose UHMW (These Strips) if you have a multi-use forming application. Its durability and non-stick properties can help reduce sticking, cleanup, and reliance on heavy release-agent use compared to traditional forming materials.
Choose Wood or HDPE if you are building a single-use static structure where wear resistance and reusability are less important than initial cost.
UHMW Rustication 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 are recommended to allow the material to "breathe" during temperature fluctuations. Note: UHMW is "non-stick" and cannot be effectively bonded with standard adhesives; mechanical fastening (such as screwing to the formwork) is required.
Watch: What is Natural UHMW?
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 SHRUSTICATIONSTRIPS
Technical Performance & Low-Adhesion
Natural Virgin UHMW Rustication Reveal Strips are engineered for demanding environments. Made from Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene, a tough, low-friction material known for high abrasion resistance and impact strength, these strips provide a low-friction surface (dynamic coefficient of friction ~0.15) that outperforms traditional materials in formwork release and durability.
The extremely low coefficient of friction helps concrete pull away more easily, reducing clean-up time and preserving the form for future pours.
Near-Zero Water Absorption:
These strips are dimensionally stable in humid or wet concrete environments and reduce swelling risk compared to wood.
Cold Temperature Stability:
Unlike other plastics that become brittle in the cold, UHMW remains ductile and shatter-resistant in freezing winter jobsite conditions.
Key Properties for Formwork & Industrial Use
Extreme Impact Damping:
Acts as a resilient barrier against heavy material handling and tool impacts, maintaining its integrity under stress.
High Chemical Resistance:
Resists many industrial chemicals, moisture, and alkalis commonly encountered in demanding environments.
Non-Marking:
Will not mark or mar the finished surfaces of cast concrete or adjacent products moving across the line.
Common Rustication & Forming Applications
Tilt-Up Construction: Creating crisp, reusable shadow lines and decorative architectural reveals on wall panels.
Cast-in-Place Concrete: Reusable edge forms, drip edges, and chamfer strips that detach easily from set concrete.
Precast Plants: High-yield form liners and modular form components designed to reduce form release agent usage.
Material Handling: Protective runner strips, flight wear strips, and friction pads for sorting slides.
Engineering Considerations & Alternatives
While Natural UHMW is a strong material choice for rustication applications, specific jobsite environments may require a specialized approach to prevent premature failure:
Outdoor UV Exposure: Natural (White) UHMW has limited sunlight service and may chalk, discolor, or lose performance after prolonged direct UV exposure. Best for Outdoor Storage: For exterior forms left outside for extended periods, choose Black UHMW.
Structural Rigidity: UHMW is a softer thermoplastic and requires proper backing or support; it cannot be used as a standalone load-bearing beam. Better Alternative: If heavy structural rigidity is required for form bracing, consider reinforced materials.
Mounting & Thermal Expansion: UHMW has a high thermal expansion rate. For long runs, use slotted holes for fasteners to allow the material to expand without buckling. Pro Tip: Use countersunk mechanical fasteners to ensure a flush, snag-free surface, as UHMW cannot be bonded effectively with standard adhesives.
