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.
Tivar® HPV UHMW (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) sheet is an advanced bearing-grade material engineered specifically for extreme wear applications. Formulated with a specialized built-in dry lubricant, it serves as a low-friction, dry-running sliding material that minimizes stick-slip to enhance motion and reduce friction in conveying systems and bearings.
Delivering exceptionally low friction among UHMW-PE grades, Tivar® HPV ensures smoother, quieter operations without the need for external lubrication. It provides precise motion control by achieving a near-zero level of stick-slip, eliminating squeaking, chatter, and backsliding issues common in high-pressure production environments.
Looking for other UHMW grades? We also stock Natural Virgin UHMW for general purpose applications and Reprocessed UHMW (a lower-cost alternative) for non-FDA requirements.
Why Choose Tivar® HPV?
This specialized grade is designed for peak efficiency and safety in high-stress conveyor systems. It is the correct choice if you need:
Exceptionally Low Friction:
A built-in dry lubricant can reduce COF by up to 80% compared to POM-C in finished components, minimizing energy consumption and drag.
Precise Motion Control:
Near-zero stick-slip eliminates backsliding, squeaking, and chatter for seamless, uninterrupted operation.
FDA Compliant:
FDA compliant for applicable food-contact applications.
Enhanced System Safety:
Longer productive life cycles without deformation or excessive wear reduce failure risks and improve employee safety.
Cost Efficiency:
Elevated sliding performance protects expensive mating parts and extends productive cycles between maintenance down-times.
Tivar® HPV vs. Standard UHMW: Which Do You Need?
While both offer extreme durability, they are optimized for different friction demands.
Choose Tivar® HPV (This Sheet) if you require exceptionally low friction properties and need to minimize stick-slip in high-speed or high-pressure sliding applications.
Choose Standard Virgin UHMW if you need excellent general-purpose abrasion and impact resistance without the need for specialized dry lubricants.
Fabrication & Machining
This material is fabrication-friendly using standard woodworking tools. You can drill, cut, and rout edges with ease. Note that while it machines easily, its high toughness means it does not hold fine threads as well as harder plastics like Nylon or Acetal (Delrin®). Use coarse threads or inserts for best results.
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
Tivar® HPV is an advanced bearing-grade thermoplastic engineered with a built-in dry lubricant and is designed for exceptionally low friction even among UHMW-PE materials for wear and dry-running applications.
Delivers exceptionally low friction among UHMW-PE grades; can reduce COF by up to 80% compared to POM-C in finished components.
Motion Control:
Provides near-zero stick-slip, eliminating backsliding, squeaking, and chatter in high-pressure environments.
Wear Resistance:
Offers extremely low wear rates, ensuring the longest possible bearing life without deformation or the need for external lubrication.
Key Properties
Built-In Dry Lubricant:
Generates a smoother operation without the need for additional product or wet lubricants.
FDA Compliant:
FDA compliant for applicable food-contact applications, ideal for food processing and packaging environments.
Energy & Cost Efficient:
Elevated sliding performance reduces drag, minimizing energy consumption and protecting expensive mating parts.
Noise Reduction:
Smoothes out mechanical motion to significantly lower operational noise, vibration, and chatter.
Improved Safety:
Longer life cycles and smoother running systems reduce unexpected mechanical failures and improve employee safety.
Common Industrial Applications
Conveyor Systems: Enhances motion and reduces drag in large-scale production and packaging lines.
Guide Components: Superior protection for chain guides, sliding strips, and straight guides.
Bearing Components: Dry-running rollers and bearings operating in high-pressure conditions without external lubrication.
Wear Parts: Corner wear bends and expensive mating parts that require extreme friction reduction.
Engineering Limitations & Alternatives
While Tivar® HPV is a strong choice for low-friction wear applications, specific environments may require stiffer or more heat-resistant materials:
Structural Rigidity: UHMW is softer than other engineering plastics and susceptible to "creep" (cold flow) under heavy static loads. Better Alternative: For high-load bearings or structural gears, choose Cast Nylon.
Machining Tolerances: Due to its high coefficient of thermal expansion, it is difficult to hold extremely tight tolerances. Better Alternative: For precision machined parts requiring stiffness, consider Acetal (Delrin®).
High Heat: Continuous service usage above 180°F will cause the material to soften. Better Alternative: For high-heat wear applications, consider PTFE (Teflon®).
Tivar® HPV UHMW Low Friction Sliding Material Questions?
