| HS Code | 875642 |
| Density | 0.93 g/cm³ |
| Bulk Density | 0.43 g/cm³ |
| Molecular Weight | 3.5 × 10^6 g/mol |
| Viscosity Number | 2200 ml/g |
| Average Particle Size | 150 µm |
| Melting Point | 135 °C |
| Crystallization Temperature | 118 °C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.41 W/m·K |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 1.8 J/g·K |
| Coefficient Of Linear Thermal Expansion | 2 × 10^-4 1/K |
| Tensile Modulus | 700 MPa |
| Tensile Strength At Break | 40 MPa |
| Elongation At Break | 350% |
| Charpy Notched Impact Strength | 100 kJ/m² |
| Shore D Hardness | 60 |
| Water Absorption | <0.01% |
| Dielectric Constant | 2.3 |
| Volume Resistivity | >10^15 Ω·cm |
| Coefficient Of Friction | 0.15 |
| Limiting Oxygen Index | 20% |
| Flammability | UL 94 HB |
| Form | Powder |
| Color | Natural |
As an accredited Celanese UHMW-PE 4050-3 L factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Celanese UHMW-PE 4050-3 L comes in 25 kg multiwall paper bags, 40 bags per 1,000 kg pallet. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | 20′ FCL container loaded with Celanese UHMW-PE 4050-3 L in palletized bags, shrink-wrapped and secured for safe ocean transport. |
| Shipping | Celanese UHMW-PE 4050-3 L is not classified as dangerous goods for transport by DOT, IMDG, or IATA. Proper shipping name: Polyethylene, ultra-high molecular weight, solid. Not regulated; no UN number, hazard class, or packing group. Ship in sealed containers, keep dry, and avoid contamination. No special labels required. |
| Storage | Store Celanese UHMW-PE 4050-3 L in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, heat, sparks, and open flames. Keep containers tightly closed to prevent moisture and contamination. Avoid contact with strong oxidizing agents. Protect from physical damage and keep away from incompatible substances. Maintain clean, labeled containers and follow local regulations; material is stable under normal storage conditions. |
| Shelf Life | Shelf life is 24 months if stored in original packaging in a cool, dry area, away from heat and sunlight. |
Gel-spinning of 4050-3 L begins with dissolution in decalin or mineral oil at 8 wt% to 10 wt% polymer concentration, because higher concentration drives dope viscosity beyond the shear-rate window of gear pumps and spinneret packs. Residence time in the dissolution zone is limited to 45 min to 90 min at 150°C to 180°C; residence deviation above 10 min generates gel-particle defects that survive hot drawing and reduce yarn tenacity. The dope is extruded through spinnerets with capillary diameter 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm, drawn in an air gap of 10 mm to 20 mm, quenched in water at 5°C to 15°C, and subsequently extracted to remove solvent. Solid-state hot drawing is performed in multiple passes to total draw ratios of 30:1 to 80:1; tensile modulus is verified according to ISO 2062:2009 or ASTM D7269-06. End-use compliance includes ISO 10325:2018 for high-modulus fibre ropes, EN 892:2012 for dynamic climbing ropes, and NIJ 0101.06 for ballistic panel subcomponents. Formulation addition ratio for cut-resistant glove variants may include 2 wt% to 5 wt% ceramic particulate masterbatch, while ballistic and rope grades remain 100 wt% virgin polymer. Terminal products are high-tenacity yarns, cut-protective gloves, ballistic laminates, and mooring ropes.
On a ram extrusion line, 4050-3 L virgin powder is processed without melt-phase screw shear using single- or double-acting hydraulic ram extruders with force capacity from 50 t to 300 t, barrel temperature zones held at 190°C to 210°C, and die land temperature at 220°C to 230°C. The powder is metered at 100 wt%; in antistatic product variants, 1 wt% to 2 wt% conductive carbon black is pre-blended in a low-speed paddle mixer at 30 rpm for 15 min to 20 min. Hydraulic pressure of 20 MPa to 50 MPa is applied in discrete indexing cycles, with dwell time of 30 s to 90 s per stroke and cooling under reduced pressure to 80°C before demoulding. Compliance is assessed under ISO 11542-2 for fabricated forms and FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 for food-contact wear components; REACH and RoHS documentation accompany export dossiers. Terminal products include chain guides, star wheels, wear strips, and conveyor rail profiles.
| Downstream sector | Standard designation | Clause / test method | Documentation trigger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet-process battery separator | ASTM D4284-12, ASTM D882-18, UL 1642 | Pore volume distribution, tensile energy absorption, cell thermal runaway | IATF 16949 PPAP level 3 material dossier |
| Gel-spun high-modulus fibre | ISO 2062:2009, EN 892:2012, NIJ 0101.06 | Yarn tensile, dynamic rope performance, ballistic resistance | Batch fibre certificate with draw ratio and tenacity traceability |
| Ram-extruded wear profiles | ISO 11542-2, FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 | Fabricated form properties, migration compliance | REACH and RoHS declaration |
| Compression-moulded liners | ISO 11542-2, ASTM D4020-18 | Density, tensile, abrasion classification | EU 10/2011 migration report for food-contact use |
Under ASTM F648-23 validation, compression moulding of 4050-3 L differs from industrial liner production primarily in surface finish, inclusion control, and thermal history documentation. The powder is compacted to preform density of 0.4 g/cm³ to 0.5 g/cm³, then sintered at 180°C to 200°C in high-polish chrome-plated moulds with cavity pressure 10 MPa to 15 MPa. Cooling is regulated at 1°C/min to 3°C/min to reduce residual stress and maintain crystallinity above 50% as measured by differential scanning calorimetry. The addition ratio is 100 wt% virgin powder; if alpha-tocopherol stabilisation is specified, 0.1 wt% to 0.3 wt% is pre-blended in an inert atmosphere. Compliance includes ASTM F648-23 for powder and fabricated forms, ISO 5834-2:2019 for ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene moulding materials, and FDA 21 CFR Part 820 quality system records for implantable devices. Published data for 4050-3 L specifically in ASTM F648 implant qualification is limited; converter validation against incoming powder lot viscosity number and trace metal content is required. Terminal products are orthopaedic acetabular liners, tibial inserts, and implantable sheet stock.
When open-cell porosity is required in aggressive chemical venting, sintered 4050-3 L sheet is produced without a fully densified melt phase; powder particles are fused at contact points in forced-air ovens at 190°C to 210°C for 30 min to 90 min. Formulation addition ratio for open-cell macroporosity uses 60 wt% to 80 wt% UHMW-PE powder blended with 20 wt% to 40 wt% sodium chloride porogen screened to 100 µm to 300 µm. The blend is filled into shallow aluminium moulds, levelled to 5 mm to 25 mm thickness, and compressed at 2 MPa to 5 MPa before thermal treatment. After cooling, sodium chloride is leached in deionised water at 60°C to 80°C and the porous sheet is dried to residual moisture below 0.2 wt%. Compliance for venting and filtration uses ASTM F316-03 bubble point and mean flow pore diameter; food-contact filtration elements require EU 10/2011 overall migration confirmation, and sterilisation-grade medical device filters add ISO 10993-1 biocompatibility evaluation. Terminal products include porous vent mufflers, pneumatic silencers, filter plates, and vacuum table diffuser sheets.
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Celanese UHMW-PE 4050-3 L is a very high molecular weight polyethylene homopolymer supplied as a free-flowing powder for compression moulding and ram extrusion. The trade designation identifies the polymer class, the grade number 4050-3, and the suffix L, which indicates a controlled powder particle size distribution. Because the suffix does not define the additive package or compaction behaviour by itself, the exact D10, D50, and D90 limits should be confirmed against the lot certificate. The grade is specified in the 9.0 × 106 g/mol molecular weight class by ASTM D4020 and exhibits no measurable melt flow rate under ISO 1133-1 at 190 °C and 21.6 kg. That absence of measurable melt flow distinguishes 4050-3 L from conventional high-density polyethylene and from lower-molecular-weight UHMW-PE grades that still consolidate under lower deformation resistance.
Because the material does not flow in a melt-index test, incoming inspection relies on dilute-solution viscosity, bulk density, and particle size distribution rather than melt flow rate. Lot-release certificates typically report an intrinsic viscosity in decalin at 135 °C above 2500 cm³/g, together with a bulk density near 0.47 g/cm³ when measured according to ISO 60. These values are representative lot data, not universal acceptance limits. The powder is hydrophobic, but surface condensation from cold storage can create internal porosity during sintering. When the material has been transported below 0 °C, sealed conditioning at 20–25 °C before opening is recommended to prevent moisture condensation on the cold particle surfaces.
Reciprocating screw injection moulding is not a suitable conversion route for this grade. The zero-shear viscosity of a 9.0 × 106 g/mol polyethylene homopolymer at 190 °C lies above the torque limits of standard 20:1 L/D screw plastication units. In production reports for UHMW-PE of this molecular weight class, melt-fed screw extrusion results in feed-section compaction, solid-bed plugging, and screw stall before a stable melt pool is established. The problem is not solely thermal; the material advances as a compacted bed until the feed pocket compression ratio exceeds 3.0:1, after which the screw loses conveying capacity. Published data for 4050-3 L in barrel-fed screw extrusion is limited, so equipment-specific trials are required before excluding a given machine configuration.
For this reason, the grade is directed to compression moulding, large-part slab sintering, and ram extrusion. In ram extrusion, a reciprocating hydraulic plunger pushes powder through a heated die. Consolidation occurs by wall friction and conduction, not by screw shear. The absence of melt flow under ISO 1133-1 is therefore a defining processing constraint, not a defect. It also means that pressure settings, die land length, and cooling rate must be treated as direct quality-control variables.
Table 1 lists representative physical and mechanical values for 4050-3 L based on moulded or machined test specimens. The values are not design allowables and should not replace lot-specific testing for load-bearing components.
| Property | Test method | Typical value |
|---|---|---|
| Average molecular weight | ASTM D4020 | 9.0 × 106 g/mol |
| Density | ISO 1183-1 | 0.930 g/cm³ |
| Bulk density | ISO 60 | 0.47 g/cm³ |
| Yield stress | ISO 527-2 | 17 MPa |
| Elongation at break | ISO 527-2 | >300% |
| Charpy double-notched impact strength | ISO 11542-2 | >140 kJ/m² |
| Ball indentation hardness | ISO 2039-1 | 37 N/mm² |
| Vicat softening temperature | ISO 306/A50 | 80 °C |
| Shore D hardness | ISO 868 | 60 |
These values are obtained on compression-moulded sheets and may not replicate in thick ram-extruded profiles if fusion at the mandrel wall is incomplete. For load-bearing parts, the short-term tensile yield value must be converted into a long-term creep modulus using ISO 899-2 data generated on the actual finished part geometry. In wear applications, the Charpy value alone does not establish service life; sliding-wear screening under ASTM G99 or sand-slurry abrasion testing is required to compare 4050-3 L against filled or lower-molecular-weight candidates.
In controlled ram extrusion trials on 9.0 × 106 g/mol UHMW-PE grades, the practical die-body set point is commonly maintained between 220 °C and 250 °C. Below 210 °C, insufficient particle sintering yields transverse weld lines that are not visible on the surface but reduce flexural strength under ISO 178. Above 280 °C, thermo-oxidative degradation begins to reduce the double-notched impact strength and shifts the material colour from white to yellow-brown. For 4050-3 L, the same processing window is expected, but direct lot-specific validation is required because particle size distribution and antioxidant content affect heat penetration and fusion rate.
Hydraulic ram pressures in production ram extrusion typically range from 10 MPa to 30 MPa, depending on die cross-section, backpressure bushings, and cooling rate. Small solid profiles with a cross-section below 20 mm may be pulled at rates of 10–50 mm/min, while thick slabs require staged cooling to restrict void formation. The die land length is usually maintained at 5:1 to 10:1 relative to the profile diameter to provide sufficient residence time for fusion at the centre line.
Compression moulding of 4050-3 L uses platen temperatures of 190–220 °C. A heating time of approximately 10 min per 25 mm of sheet thickness is applied after the mould surface reaches setpoint, followed by controlled cooling under maintained pressure to below 60 °C before ejection. Reducing the cooling rate increases crystallinity and yield stress but can lower impact strength. This trade-off is evaluated according to ISO 527-2 and ISO 11542-2. Thin sections consolidate faster, while sections above 50 mm require longer hold times to prevent voids at the thermal centre.
The homopolymer is resistant to most aqueous solutions, dilute acids, and alkalis at ambient temperature. It is attacked by strong oxidizing acids above 50 °C, and it swells in aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons at elevated temperature. Thermo-oxidative stabilisation is included in the grade, but continuous service above 100 °C in air is not recommended without supplementary antioxidant packaging. Storage should be in sealed containers away from direct sunlight and ignition sources. The powder is not classified as a hazardous chemical under REACH or RoHS in its supplied form; however, dust generated during conveying can form a combustible dust cloud and must be handled with conductive grounding and local exhaust ventilation according to area classification under EN 60079-10-2.
Table 2 summarises the principal processing and property differences among 4050-3 L, a conventional HDPE, and a lower-molecular-weight UHMW-PE class. The comparison is general because HDPE and lower-molecular-weight UHMW-PE comprise multiple grades with overlapping specifications.
| Property or process feature | 4050-3 L | Conventional HDPE | UHMW-PE, 5.0 × 106 g/mol class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melt flow rate under ISO 1133-1 | Not measurable | 0.2–20 g/10 min | Not measurable |
| Average molecular weight | 9.0 × 106 g/mol | 0.2–0.5 × 106 g/mol | 5.0 × 106 g/mol |
| Primary conversion route | Compression moulding, ram extrusion | Injection moulding, extrusion | Compression moulding, ram extrusion |
| Double-notched impact strength | >140 kJ/m² | Lower, typically notched values below 30 kJ/m² | >100 kJ/m² |
| Sliding abrasion resistance | High | Low to moderate | Moderate to high |
| Fusion rate during sintering | Slower, requires longer thermal soak | Not applicable in melt processing | Faster than 4050-3 L |
The longer fusion time of 4050-3 L is a direct consequence of its higher molecular weight. In comparison with the 5.0 × 106 g/mol class, 4050-3 L generally provides higher resistance to sliding abrasion and better crack-propagation resistance, but it requires a longer sintering plateau and more careful thermal management in thick sections. This trade-off is the principal selection criterion when replacing an existing lower-molecular-weight UHMW-PE part.
Compared with glass- or MoS2-filled UHMW-PE, unfilled 4050-3 L offers lower external-phase abrasion and superior elongation at break. Filled grades can provide lower wear under some high-pressure sliding conditions but sacrifice impact strength and weld-line integrity. The selection between unfilled and filled grades is therefore driven by the specific wear pair and the severity of dynamic loading.
In solid-state wear-part manufacturing, the grade is used for chain guides, conveyor wear strips, star wheels, pump volutes, and spiral chutes. The controlling advantage is the material’s low dynamic coefficient of friction against polished steel, typically below 0.2 under ISO 8295, combined with superior abrasion resistance relative to conventional HDPE in sand-slurry testing. These components are produced by compression moulding or machining from ram-extruded stock. Machining feeds and speeds must account for the material’s low thermal conductivity. If the cutting zone exceeds 120 °C, local melting and gumming of cutting edges occur, so sharp tungsten carbide tools and air cooling are used.
In food-processing applications, this grade is selected for hopper liners, scraper blades, and guide rails because the high molecular weight reduces wear debris generation when compared with lower-molecular-weight polyethylenes. 4050-3 L is intended to meet the compositional requirements of relevant food-contact regulations; however, direct food-contact suitability must be established by the converter under Commission Regulation (EU) 10/2011 and FDA 21 CFR 177.1520. The converter is responsible for verifying that processing aids and thermal history do not move the finished article outside those limits.
For microporous membrane manufacture, the narrow particle size distribution reduces local gel defects in cast-oil slurries. In these systems, the powder morphology controls the paste viscosity under high-shear mixing, and the presence of coarse particles above 250 µm produces film breaks. Published data for this specific configuration is limited, so membrane producers typically run a 20–50 kg pilot-scale lot before full production qualification.
