| HS Code | 750753 |
| Material Type | Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) |
| Form | Powder |
| Density | 0.93 g/cm³ |
| Bulk Density | 0.43 g/cm³ |
| Average Particle Size | 50 µm |
| Melting Point | 135 °C |
| Viscosity Number | 1600 cm³/g |
| Tensile Modulus | 700 MPa |
| Tensile Strength At Yield | 17 MPa |
| Tensile Strength At Break | 40 MPa |
| Elongation At Break | 300% |
| Charpy Notched Impact Strength | No break |
| Shore D Hardness | 62 |
| Water Absorption | <0.01% |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.41 W/m·K |
| Coefficient Of Linear Thermal Expansion | 150 µm/m·°C |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 1.8 J/g·°C |
| Volume Resistivity | 1×10^15 Ω·cm |
| Dielectric Constant | 2.3 |
| Dielectric Strength | 45 kV/mm |
| Coefficient Of Friction | 0.10–0.20 |
| Abrasion Resistance | Excellent |
| Chemical Resistance | Excellent |
As an accredited Celanese UHMW-PE 4012 F factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Celanese UHMW-PE 4012 F typically comes in 25 kg moisture-resistant paper bags, 40 bags (1,000 kg) per pallet. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | Celanese UHMW-PE 4012 F loaded in a 20′ FCL container, palletized bags, kept dry, clean, and secured for ocean transport. |
| Shipping | Celanese UHMW-PE 4012 F ships as a non-hazardous thermoplastic resin, typically in sealed multi-wall bags, fiber drums, or bulk containers. Keep dry and away from ignition sources and excessive heat. No UN hazard class required. Follow local transport rules and avoid generating/breathing dust during handling. Store in closed original packaging. |
| Storage | Store Celanese UHMW-PE 4012 F in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Keep containers tightly closed and protect from direct sunlight, heat, moisture, and contamination. Avoid contact with strong oxidizing agents and ignition sources. Maintain ambient temperature, use clean, dry handling equipment, and follow the manufacturer’s SDS and local storage regulations. Keep area clean and store away from incompatible materials. |
| Shelf Life | Typically indefinite when stored in original unopened packaging, cool, dry, away from direct sunlight, heat, moisture, and contaminants. |
In lithium-ion separator wet-process lines, the use of Celanese UHMW-PE 4012 F is governed by the thermally induced phase separation mechanism rather than by conventional melt film casting. The resin is gravimetrically compounded with paraffin oil at a loading of 15–30 wt% 4012 F to 70–85 wt% paraffin oil; an antioxidant package is added at 0.05–0.2 wt% of the polymer fraction where the converter’s calendering line requires extended residence time above 180°C. The production sequence consists of pre-drying the powder at 60–80°C for 4–6 h when moisture exceeds 300 ppm, feeding a co-rotating twin-screw extruder with L/D 40–56, melt mixing at 180–230°C, cast film formation at 100–300 µm precursor thickness, biaxial stretching at 90–130°C with machine-direction draw 7–10× and transverse-direction draw 5–7×, solvent extraction in n-hexane or methylene chloride, drying to residual extractables below 500 ppm, and slitting. Terminal finished products are microporous separator films from 5–25 µm thickness for lithium-ion cells. Compliance is assessed under IEC 62660-3:2016 for secondary lithium-ion cell safety, ISO 14644-1:2015 Class 8 cleanroom handling, ASTM D882-18 for tensile property retention after extraction, and REACH for extractable plasticizer residues. The critical processing conflict is the narrow gel-formation window: at melt temperature below 160°C, insufficient solvation produces hard gel defects that tear during transverse stretching, while above 250°C, thermo-oxidative chain scission raises pinhole density and reduces puncture strength; operators of twin-screw lines therefore hold the barrel profile to a maximum deviation of ±5°C across the final three zones.
Gel-spinning lines configured with a co-rotating twin-screw dissolver and a forced-circulation degassing vessel are used to convert 4012 F into high-tenacity polyethylene yarns. The resin is dissolved in decalin or mineral oil at a polymer concentration of 5–12 wt%; an antioxidant is added at 0.05–0.2 wt% of the polymer charge when the dissolver residence time exceeds 30 min at 140–190°C. The downstream sequence consists of extruding the gel through a metering pump and spinneret with hole diameters between 0.4 mm and 0.8 mm, quenching in a gel bath held at 5–15°C, extracting the solvent, and multiple-stage hot drawing at total draw ratios from 30:1 to 80:1. Terminal finished goods include ballistic panels tested to NIJ 0101.06, cut-resistant gloves, high-tenacity ropes tested to ISO 2307:2019, and industrial slings. Yarn tensile properties are measured under ASTM D7269/D7269M-20. The principal processing limit is die swell and spinline instability caused by high-shear history in the dissolver: when screw speed is raised to compensate for the polymer’s high viscosity, localized overheating above 190°C can generate crosslinked gel particles, which then arrest the spinline and create denier variation greater than ±1.5% across the bobbin. Published data for this specific grade in gel-spun fibrous configurations is limited, so production settings are typically derived from pilot-scale equipment with L/D 48 twin-screw dissolvers and continuous solvent recovery columns.
On orthopaedic implant machining lines, a compression-molded slab of 4012 F is qualified only when powder density, consolidation pressure, and thermal history satisfy the defect limits of ISO 5834-2:2019. The material is processed at 100 wt% virgin resin; no filler, processing aid, or lubricant is added because the implant material specification forbids non-polymeric additives unless separately validated under ASTM F648-21. Optional vitamin E antioxidant may be incorporated at 0.05–0.3 wt% to reduce oxidation index after gamma irradiation, provided the consolidated stock meets trans-vinylene index and extraction limits specified in the device master file. Production consists of pre-drying at 60–80°C for 4–6 h, filling a compression mold at 5–10 MPa pressure, consolidating at 190–230°C, slow cooling at 0.1–0.5 K/min to minimize fusion defects, and subsequent machining into tibial inserts, acetabular cups, patellar components, and spinal disc bearing surfaces. Mechanical acceptance is based on ISO 5834-2:2019 tensile yield strength of at least 21 MPa, elongation at break above 300%, density between 0.93 g/cm³ and 0.94 g/cm³, and absence of detectable fusion defects by transmitted-light microscopy. The critical limitation is that 4012 F lots must be audited for trace metal residues, particle size distribution, and morphology before use; ordinary wear-grade powder is not automatically suitable for orthopaedic bearings, and converters must maintain ISO 13485 material control.
| Standard | Controlled attribute | Acceptance criterion |
|---|---|---|
| ISO 5834-2:2019 | Tensile yield strength | ≥ 21 MPa |
| ISO 5834-2:2019 | Elongation at break | ≥ 300% |
| ISO 5834-2:2019 | Density | 0.93–0.94 g/cm³ |
| ASTM F648-21 | Fusion defects | None detectable |
| ASTM F648-21 | Trace metal residues | Not more than specified limit |
Ram extrusion of 4012 F into solid rectangular profiles for bottling and packaging conveyor lines is performed on single-ram machines with barrel length-to-diameter ratios between 10:1 and 20:1. The formulation is 100 wt% 4012 F with 0.1–0.5 wt% processing stabilizer where prolonged frictional heating is expected. The powder is metered into the cold feed zone, consolidated by a reciprocating ram at pressure from 30 MPa to 100 MPa, fused through a heated barrel maintained at 180–230°C, and continuously pushed through a forming die; profiles are then calibrated in cooling water at 20–40°C. Terminal finished goods include chain guides, wear strips, star wheels, and screw conveyor hangers for bottling, filling, and packaging equipment. Compliance for these components is governed by ISO 11542-1:2001 for UHMW-PE moulding and extrusion materials and, where used with food contact, FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 and EU 10/2011 with overall migration below 10 mg/dm². The main operational boundary is pressure fluctuation: because UHMW-PE does not form a true melt and has no measurable melt flow index under ISO 1133-1:2022, barrel wall slip and intermittent fusing can create internal porosity if the ram stroke is advanced at a rate higher than the powder’s compaction front can accept.
In electrically heated platen presses, sintering of porous plate stock from 4012 F is conducted where the powder is not fully molten but fused at particle contacts. The formulation consists of 100 wt% 4012 F or a mixture containing 0.5–2.0 wt% water-soluble pore-forming additive of defined particle size, which is later leached to adjust permeability. The production sequence comprises filling a mold cavity at controlled bulk density, pressing at 5–15 MPa, sintering at 180–220°C for 10–30 min, cooling under pressure to 40°C or below, and machining to final thickness. Terminal products are porous filter discs, vent membranes, aeration pads, and gas-diffusion spacers for water treatment, fluid-power reservoirs, and electrochemical cells. Compliance is evaluated under FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 and EU 10/2011 where potable-water or food-contact exposure is expected; mechanical strength is measured by ASTM D638-14 tensile testing of the sintered plate. The critical process boundary is shrinkage: porous plaques molded from 4012 F can shrink unpredictably if the mold is opened before the core temperature is below 50°C, so the cooling stage is a control point and not a demolding convenience.
Compression molding of food-system wear parts from 4012 F is performed into sheet stock at a thickness from 5 mm to 50 mm. The formulation is 100 wt% 4012 F without filler because filled compounds complicate food-contact migration assessment. Pre-drying at 60–80°C for 4–6 h is required when storage relative humidity exceeds 60%. The downstream process consists of cold-pressing the powder to consolidate the cavity, heating platens to 190–220°C under 5–10 MPa, holding for 10–20 min per centimeter of part thickness, cooling to below 50°C before ejection, and CNC machining into finished profiles. Terminal finished articles are star wheels, auger paddles, guide rails, chain guides, and wear strips for bakery, beverage, dairy, and meat-processing conveyors. Compliance is established under FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 and EU 10/2011; the food-contact suitability of the specific 4012 F lot must be confirmed by the fabricator’s migration testing because colorants or reprocessed regrind are not permitted in food-contact formulations. The operational boundary is that compression molding below 190°C yields incomplete fusion, while above 230°C oxidative degradation can increase extractables and reduce wear life.
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Celanese UHMW-PE 4012 F is an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene homopolymer powder conforming to the PE-UHMW designation of ISO 1043-1 and identified by CAS 9002-88-4. The grade is supplied as a fine-particle variant of the high-viscosity GUR 4012 base resin. Published technical data associate the base resin with a nominal viscosity number of 2800 cm³/g when measured by ISO 1628-3 in decalin at 135 °C, corresponding to a viscosity-average molecular weight of approximately 9.0 × 106 g/mol. Density is approximately 0.930 g/cm³ under ISO 1183-1, tensile yield stress is approximately 21 MPa, and elongation at break is greater than 300 % under ISO 527-2. The material exhibits no measurable melt flow rate under ISO 1133-1:2022 because the ultra-high molecular weight suppresses viscous flow; processing is therefore confined to ram extrusion, compression molding, gel spinning, and sintering. The product can be classified under ASTM D4020-18 as an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene material and reported per ISO 21304-1 for PE-UHMW moulding and extrusion materials. Published data for the exact particle-size distribution of the F-variant is limited; the lot-specific certificate of analysis reports d10/d50/d90 values.
The chain architecture of 4012 F introduces a processing conflict that controls downstream operation. The viscosity-average molecular weight is approximately 7.2 × 103 times the polyethylene entanglement molecular weight of about 1.25 × 103 g/mol; interchain entanglements therefore resist viscous flow even above the crystalline melting range. Differential scanning calorimetry under ISO 11357-3 places the main melting endotherm between 133 °C and 138 °C, but the material does not behave as a conventional melt. Under ram extrusion conditions, particle boundaries are destroyed by a combination of heat and pressure. If barrel zone temperatures are set too low, residual particle boundaries remain visible as brittle weld lines. If set too high, thermo-oxidative chain scission begins at the boundary layer before sufficient fusion is achieved.
Comparative selection between 4012 F and lower-viscosity UHMW-PE grades should be driven by wear environment and available processing window. In published Celanese grade comparisons, GUR 4120 has a nominal viscosity number of 2000 cm³/g and GUR 4130 a nominal viscosity number of 1300 cm³/g under ISO 1628-3. The corresponding viscosity-average molecular weight values are approximately 5.0 × 106 g/mol and 3.0 × 106 g/mol. In sand-slurry abrasion and sliding wear service, the higher chain-entanglement density of 4012 F generally produces lower volume loss than lower-molecular-weight grades, provided the part is fully fused. However, the same entanglement density reduces long-range particle fusion; components with thick cross-sections may retain internal defects if the compression-molding dwell is too short. GUR 4130, by contrast, compacts more readily and is often selected for geometrically complex parts where mold filling determines reject rate rather than ultimate wear life. Published data for the exact comparative wear factor of 4012 F under ASTM G133 pin-on-disc conditions is limited.
| Property | Test method | Celanese UHMW-PE 4012 F | GUR 4120 | GUR 4130 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viscosity number | ISO 1628-3 | 2800 cm³/g | 2000 cm³/g | 1300 cm³/g |
| Viscosity-average molecular weight | Calculated | 9.0 × 106 g/mol | 5.0 × 106 g/mol | 3.0 × 106 g/mol |
| Density | ISO 1183-1 | 0.930 g/cm³ | 0.930 g/cm³ | 0.930 g/cm³ |
| Tensile yield stress | ISO 527-2 | 21 MPa | 21 MPa | 21 MPa |
| Shore D hardness | ISO 868 | 62 | 62 | 62 |
On production-scale ram extruders, 4012 F behaves differently from pelletized or granule UHMW-PE grades. The fine powder exhibits lower bulk density, typically between 0.35 g/cm³ and 0.45 g/cm³ when measured by ASTM D1895 Method A; the exact lot value appears on the certificate of analysis. Lower bulk density reduces mass per stroke in a fixed-bore ram extruder, so the operator must compensate with longer feed stroke or higher stroke frequency. Without compensation, the fused rod develops density gradients and centerline shrinkage. Published machine-builder data for UHMW-PE ram extrusion specify heated barrel temperatures between 180 °C and 220 °C and tooling compression ratios between 2:1 and 4:1. The optimal set point for 4012 F is often maintained within ±5 K because fusion rate changes steeply with temperature. Below the lower bound, undissolved powder particles persist; above the upper bound, surface oxidation generates amber discoloration and reduces notched impact resistance. The fine particle size also increases dusting during hopper loading. Production-scale equipment with enclosed vacuum transfer and grounded hoppers is required to control airborne fines and static accumulation.
Compression-molded sheet from 4012 F requires a different heating and cooling cycle than lower-viscosity grades. The powder is charged into a mold cavity and pre-compacted at ambient temperature at 5 MPa to 10 MPa to remove air. The mold is then heated under pressure to 190 °C to 210 °C; holding time scales with the square of the thickest cross-section and is often specified at 10 min/mm to 15 min/mm. Cooling rate determines crystallinity and toughness. Rapid cooling at 15 K/min to 20 K/min produces lower crystallinity and higher notched impact resistance; slow cooling below 5 K/min increases density and hardness but may reduce fracture resistance. The high molecular weight of 4012 F retards particle coalescence at the mold wall, so edge defects appear if heating time is shortened below the conductive heat-transfer requirement.
The fine-particle morphology makes 4012 F a candidate for gel-spun high-strength fibers and microporous membranes where solvent diffusion and particle swelling determine final fibril structure. In gel spinning, the resin is dispersed in a high-boiling solvent such as decalin or paraffin oil at concentrations of 2 wt% to 10 wt%; the solution is extruded through a spinneret, quenched, and drawn. The ultra-high molecular weight of 4012 F supports draw ratios above 30:1 in laboratory studies, but plant-scale spin lines require precise control of solvent removal because fine powders can retain solvent longer than coarser UHMW-PE grades. In microporous battery separator films, the resin is blended with a plasticizer or mineral oil, extruded, and then biaxially stretched; the resulting pore structure is controlled by molecular weight distribution and particle fusion. The higher entanglement density of 4012 F contributes to smaller, more uniform pores but increases stretching force. Published data for this specific configuration is limited; pilot-scale trials on twin-screw extruders with 25:1 to 40:1 L/D ratios are commonly required to establish exact plasticizer loading.
Although UHMW-PE absorbs less than 0.01 wt% water under standard conditioning, surface moisture from condensation can create porosity in compression-molded sheet and fiber spin packs. Pre-drying is therefore mandated when relative humidity exceeds 60 %. A forced-air oven at 80 °C for 2 h is sufficient to remove surface water; drying above 100 °C introduces oxidative degradation. The oxidation pathway is evaluated by oxidative induction time under ISO 11357-6 or ASTM D3895-19; the antioxidant package in the product influences the measured onset. Production lots stored in open containers at ambient conditions should be re-qualified if moisture exposure exceeds 72 h. Ultraviolet exposure accelerates surface oxidation and should be avoided during storage; stock should remain in sealed polyethylene-lined containers below 40 °C.
Chemical resistance of 4012 F follows general UHMW-PE behavior: resistance to dilute acids, alkalis, and salt solutions at temperatures up to 60 °C, with susceptibility to strong oxidizing acids, halogenated solvents, and aromatic hydrocarbons at elevated temperature. The grade is not recommended for continuous service with concentrated nitric acid or with trichloroethylene above ambient temperature. Compliance for food-contact applications is typically assessed under FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 for olefin polymers, but the converter must obtain a grade-specific food-contact letter from Celanese for each lot. In the European Union, finished articles are evaluated under Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 with migration testing according to the intended food simulant. Electrical and electronic applications are outside the restriction limits of Directive 2011/65/EU Annex II for polyethylene. Under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, the polymer itself is exempt from registration, while monomer precursors are covered by the manufacturer’s REACH registration.
| Requirement | Designation / clause | Typical status for Celanese UHMW-PE 4012 F |
|---|---|---|
| Food contact, United States | FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 | Requires grade-specific food-contact letter |
| Food contact, European Union | Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 | Migration testing required on finished article |
| REACH | Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 Title II | Polymer exempt; monomer registration applies |
| RoHS | Directive 2011/65/EU Annex II | No restricted substances above threshold |
Standard high-density polyethylene grades have melt flow rates of 1 g/10 min to 20 g/10 min under ISO 1133-1, allowing injection molding and blown film extrusion. Celanese UHMW-PE 4012 F does not produce a measurable melt flow rate under the same conditions and cannot be processed on conventional screw extruders. The absence of measurable flow is the primary differentiator. Compared with pelletized GUR 4120, 4012 F also differs in particle morphology: the fine powder increases surface area, which accelerates solvent uptake but reduces bulk density and increases electrostatic dusting. Compared with GUR 4130, 4012 F has higher molecular weight and should be selected only where the wear or toughness requirement justifies the narrower processing window. Published data for the exact quantitative difference in abrasion between 4012 F and GUR 4130 under identical sand-slurry conditions is limited; equipment manufacturers recommend application-specific wear panels because laboratory abrasion rankings do not always predict field life.
In hydraulic cylinder wear rings, Celanese UHMW-PE 4012 F is used as a replacement for bronze and PA6 in low-speed high-load linear motion. The coefficient of friction against steel is typically 0.10 to 0.20 under dry sliding at low speed, but this depends on surface roughness and lubrication. Published data for the exact dynamic coefficient of friction of this grade is limited; component qualification should follow ASTM G77 or equivalent application-specific testing. In conveyor guide rails, the material is selected for impact resistance and abrasion resistance in dry, dusty environments. The processing constraints remain: the grade cannot be hot-air welded with the same strength as lower-viscosity high-density polyethylene, and machining tools must be sharp with positive rake angles to avoid frictional heating.
