Metal detectable ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene is an ideal solution for rugged, wear-resistant moving components used in food processing, bottling and canning, packaging, pharmaceutical manufacturing—any system in which it’s critical to detect and prevent potential contamination threats that pose serious liability risks.
In this article, we'll show you what they are and how they work, plus features that make them unique and the benefits of using them.
But first...
How can metal detectors detect plastic?
A metal detector can detect plastic if it contains a special additive. In food processing facilities, for instance, where metal contamination could be a serious problem, an easy way to detect plastic fragments with a standard metal detector is by adding a metal detectable additive to the plastic.
A typical example of this is a metal-detectable UHMW plastic.
What is UHMW Plastic?
UHMW stands for ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene and it is an extremely strong plastic whose molecules are super heavy and are more resistant to abrasion and wear than other types of plastics. UHMW polyethylene has a compressive strength (which is the force it can withstand in compression) of 750 psi.
When combined with unique additives that enable this polyethylene compound to be easily traced using metal detectors, they're called metal detectable UHMW plastic.
Why is this done? To prevent shipping food with plastic particles in it due to equipment breakage or parts wear.
What are the benefits of metal detectable plastic?
Replacing system parts with engineered UHMW compounds can often improve production speed and extend equipment life. The demand for metal-detectable UHMW plastics as a replacement for metal parts is growing rapidly because, in addition to reducing liability issues and product recall threats, they offer outstanding wear resistance and excellent sliding characteristics.
And that is because metal-detectable UHMW features:
- Metal-detectable properties
- X-Ray visibility
- FDA direct food contact approval
- Excellent wear resistance
- High-impact resistance
- Self-lubrication
- Abrasion resistance
- Water & dirt repellency
- Acid resistance
- Corrosion resistance
- Vibration & noise dampening
- Chemical resistance
- Lightweight
- Cost effectiveness
- Low temperature suitability
Metal detectable UHMW materials can replace existing plastic processing system components with metal detectable ones, including chain guides, wear strips, belt guides, rollers, idler wheels and custom parts. In many cases, metal-detectable UHMW can offer significant cost savings as a result of:
- Reduced exposure to contaminated processes
- Improved impact-resistances resulting in less breakage
- Reduced down time for increased productivity
- Reduced energy consumption because of lighter system components
- Extended processing equipment life cycles as a result of excellent wear properties that allow longer parts replacement intervals
Interested in learning more about metal detectable UHMW plastics?
Check out our website to learn more about metal-detectable UHMW and how you can switch your components. You can also ask about UHMW plastic repair and download our metal-detectable UHMW product sheet.
