PTFE vs UHMW: Choosing the Right Low-Friction Plastic

PTFE and UHMW are the two most frequently specified plastics for sliding surfaces, wear components, and low-friction applications. Both materials excel at reducing friction—but they solve different problems, perform differently under stress, and occupy very different price points.

This guide cuts through the confusion with a direct comparison to help you select the right material for your application.

The 30-Second Answer

Choose UHMW when: Cost matters, impact resistance is needed, or temperatures stay below 180°F.

Choose PTFE when: Chemical exposure is severe, temperatures exceed 200°F, or you need the absolute lowest friction coefficient.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Property	UHMW	PTFE
Coefficient of Friction	0.10 - 0.20	0.04 - 0.10
Max Service Temperature	180°F (82°C)	500°F (260°C)
Impact Strength	Excellent	Poor
Abrasion Resistance	Excellent	Moderate
Chemical Resistance	Good	Exceptional
FDA Compliant Grades	Yes	Yes
Relative Cost	$	$$$$

Friction: PTFE Wins, But Not By As Much As You Think

PTFE holds the record for the lowest coefficient of friction of any solid material—as low as 0.04 against polished steel. This is why it’s the default choice for applications where friction reduction is the primary concern.

However, UHMW’s friction coefficient of 0.10-0.20 is still remarkably low. For many applications—conveyor guides, wear strips, dock bumpers—this difference is negligible in practice. The question becomes: is the marginal friction reduction worth 4-5x the material cost?

When PTFE’s lower friction matters:

• High-speed sliding surfaces (>100 fpm)
• Precision linear motion systems
• Applications where stick-slip must be eliminated
• Seals and gaskets under pressure

When UHMW’s friction is sufficient:

• Conveyor components
• Chute liners
• Wear strips and guides
• Material handling equipment

Temperature: PTFE’s Clear Advantage

This is where the materials diverge dramatically.

UHMW begins to soften around 180°F and loses structural integrity above 200°F. It cannot be used in steam environments, near heat sources, or in applications with significant frictional heating.

PTFE maintains its properties up to 500°F continuous service. It won’t melt—it decomposes at 620°F rather than transitioning to liquid. This makes PTFE the only choice for:

• Steam valve components
• Heat exchanger parts
• Hot chemical processing
• Oven conveyor components
• Exhaust system parts

Critical consideration: If your application involves any heat source, steam cleaning, or CIP (clean-in-place) procedures above 180°F, UHMW is not an option.

Chemical Resistance: PTFE Is Nearly Inert

PTFE resists virtually every chemical known to industry. The only substances that attack it are molten alkali metals and fluorine gas at elevated temperatures—conditions rarely encountered outside specialized laboratories.

UHMW offers good chemical resistance but has notable vulnerabilities:

Chemical Class	UHMW	PTFE
Dilute acids	Good	Excellent
Concentrated acids	Limited	Excellent
Oxidizing agents	Poor	Excellent
Hydrocarbons	Good	Excellent
Chlorinated solvents	Limited	Excellent
Ketones & Esters	Good	Excellent

Choose PTFE for: Semiconductor manufacturing, aggressive chemical processing, pharmaceutical production, and any application involving oxidizing chemicals.

UHMW is acceptable for: Food processing, water treatment, mild chemical exposure, and most material handling applications.

Mechanical Properties: UHMW’s Strength

Here’s where UHMW fights back. Despite its lower price, UHMW outperforms PTFE in several mechanical categories:

Impact Resistance: UHMW is one of the toughest plastics available. It absorbs impacts that would shatter or permanently deform PTFE. For dock bumpers, dump truck liners, and any application involving impact loading, UHMW is superior.

Abrasion Resistance: UHMW outlasts PTFE by 5-10x in abrasive wear applications. Sand, aggregate, grain, and other abrasive materials wear through PTFE relatively quickly.

Load-Bearing Capacity: Under sustained loads, PTFE exhibits significant cold flow (creep). It deforms permanently over time. UHMW handles sustained loads more effectively, though neither material matches metals for structural applications.

Machinability: Both materials machine easily, but PTFE’s tendency to deform under tool pressure requires more careful technique. UHMW machines more forgivingly.

Cost Reality Check

PTFE typically costs 4-5x more than UHMW per pound. For large components—conveyor guides, chute liners, large wear plates—this difference is substantial.

Example: A 48” x 96” x 0.5” sheet:

• UHMW: ~$150-200
• PTFE: ~$700-900

Before specifying PTFE, ask: “What specific property requires PTFE that UHMW cannot provide?” If the answer is temperature or chemical resistance, PTFE is justified. If it’s simply “low friction,” UHMW likely meets the requirement at a fraction of the cost.

Decision Framework

Answer these questions in order:

1. Will the operating temperature exceed 180°F?

• Yes → PTFE (UHMW is not an option)
• No → Continue to question 2

2. Is the application exposed to oxidizing chemicals, concentrated acids, or chlorinated solvents?

• Yes → PTFE
• No → Continue to question 3

3. Does the application involve impact loading or highly abrasive materials?

• Yes → UHMW (better impact and abrasion resistance)
• No → Continue to question 4

4. Is the absolute lowest possible friction coefficient critical?

• Yes → PTFE
• No → UHMW (adequate friction properties at lower cost)

Common Applications by Material

UHMW Applications

• Conveyor guides and wear strips
• Dock bumpers and fenders
• Dump truck and hopper liners
• Star wheels and packaging machinery
• Food processing equipment (cutting boards, guides)
• Marine bearings and bushings

PTFE Applications

• Valve seats and seals
• Gaskets for chemical service
• Semiconductor wafer handling
• Pharmaceutical processing equipment
• Non-stick surfaces and liners
• High-temperature bearings
• Electrical insulation

Modified Grades

Both materials are available in modified grades that address their limitations:

UHMW Modifications:

• UV-stabilized (outdoor use)
• Anti-static (ESD-sensitive applications)
• Detectable (food processing—contains metal particles for detection)
• Oil-filled (enhanced lubricity)

PTFE Modifications:

• Glass-filled (improved wear and reduced creep)
• Carbon-filled (enhanced wear resistance and conductivity)
• Bronze-filled (better thermal conductivity and load capacity)
• PEEK-blended (improved mechanical properties)

Working With NextGen Components

We stock both UHMW and PTFE in sheet, rod, and tube forms across multiple grades. Our materials database includes detailed specifications for UHMW, PTFE, and their modified variants.

Not sure which material fits your application? Contact our engineering team with your operating conditions, and we’ll recommend the optimal material—even if it’s neither of these.