{{ Understanding the engineering polymers/materials/composite, Part 2 2th Nov.

, 2021
Solved by Juan Jose Baez, Juan Felipe Cendales, Manuela Real, Ana Gabriela Rodríguez

1. (2,5 points) There is a difference between Standard polymers, engineering polymers and High performance
polymers. The first, usually melts closer to 100°C (when thermoplastics, i.e.; PP, PE, PPE, PMMA, PS, ABS, SAN),
second ones, Engineer polymers (i.e.: PA66, POM, PMP, PBT, PET, PC), can resist 200°C in long term service
without thermal damage; but High performance Engineering polymers (I.e.: PI, PEEK, PEK, PTFE, PVDF, PPSU,
PFA) are very resistant to wear and stable at 300°C in long term service. Please do a graphical comparison for
these three kind of materials (as characters dialogue) Do the dialogues match with the emotional.
Don’t talk, besides that, you are missing some things, standard
Hey, hey, do you know the High performance polymer is a group of polymers don’t resist high temperatures compared to high YOU SHOULD PAY MORE
polymer materials that are known to retain its performance on Hiigh performance polymer is a group of
difference between standard, ATTENTION TO CLASS!!!!
desirable mechanical, thermal, and chemical polymer materials that are known to retain its desirable
high performance, and properties when subjected to harsh mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties when subjected
environment such as high temperature, high to harsh environment such as high temperature, high
engineering polymers? Yeah!, plus you should
pressure, and corrosive chemicals . pressure, and corrosive chemicals.es, which can resist
have said that the prices of
each type of polymer
change, high performance
ones are way more
expensive than standard
polymers.|

||||

2. (2,5 points) Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene - (UHMWPE) UHMWPE is a subset of the thermoplastic
polyethylene. It has extremely long chains resulting in a very tough material, with high impact strength (ASTM
D256). Its coefficient of friction is comparable to that of PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) but it has better abrasion
resistance. UHMPE is an outstanding bearing material with exceptional sliding properties and remains tough even at
low temperatures (ASTM D638, D695). Processed by compression moulding or extrusion, UHMWPE Rods and Sheets
are annealed before machining to remove the internal stresses. UHMWPE is easy to machine it is very a cost
effective solution compared to metal1.

Key features Typical applications

 Low moisture absorption  Food processing equipment
 Chemical resistant (Excluding  Water treatment
oxidising acids)  Conveyor lines
 High thermal conductivity  Wear strips
 Low dielectric constant  Bearings, Gears
 FDA compliant  Pistons, Valves
 Low coefficient of friction  Marine equipment
 Self-lubricating  Wet environments that require
 Resistant to UV radiation regular harsh cleaning

According with the next plot, analyse the performance of different materials against impacts and stresses that can occur
under a real/hypothetical circumstance in engineering appliances (please read carefully the picture caption). Focus your
analysis on how to replace a common application (table above) using a High performance material.

1
Retrieved/adapted from https://fluorocarbon.co.uk/news-and-events/post/18/what-is-ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene-uhmwpe, accessed at nov 1 2020.
 Figure 1: Notched Izod Impact Strength (ASTM D 256) tests were developed over UTEC (A commercial trademark for UHMWPE vs. other materials
including steel series. (source: HARPER, CHARLES A. Modern Plastics Handbook. 1999). Specimens with resistance above 900 don’t break in the test.

Analysis:

The graph shows different materials that were analyzed under the parameter of hardness and strength, this
force is measured in Joules over meters with a maximum value of 1000, of the 11 materials analyzed, the
only ones that reach the highest resistance value is steel and UTEC. However, the best option is the UTEC
because of the other characteristics like low moisture absorption, chemical resistant, high thermal
conductivity, low dielectric constant, FDA compliant, low coefficient of friction, self-lubricating and resistant
to UV radiation that are properties that only the UTEC have, its strength is due to the resistance it presents,
its low coefficient of friction, its long polymer chains make it a material resistant against impacts, chemicals,
among others.