UHMW protection

Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE, UHMW) or your basic cutting board material (I think). Some of my rock crawling buddies use it for skid plates and gave me the idea. I am researching the best place to buy it, heck may just go to wally world or bed bath beyond and see how big of pieces they sell. Anyone tried this? I am sure there are some pros and cons, but thought it may be cheap lightweight protection. Pull off factory skids, trace out, and cut. Use heat for the bends. Sounds good in theory, lol. Will update and post pics when I start. Advice welcome....

foyota86 wrote:

Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE, UHMW) or your basic cutting board material (I think). Some of my rock crawling buddies use it for skid plates and gave me the idea. I am researching the best place to buy it, heck may just go to wally world or bed bath beyond and see how big of pieces they sell. Anyone tried this? I am sure there are some pros and cons, but thought it may be cheap lightweight protection. Pull off factory skids, trace out, and cut. Use heat for the bends. Sounds good in theory, lol. Will update and post pics when I start. Advice welcome....

Beware that a cheap cutting board may be plain old polyethylene, and most would not tell you what it really is. There are numerous grades of poly; low density, high density and this ultra high density (UHMW). The difference is in the length of the molecular chains which strongly influences the toughness and scrape resistance. Plastic houses (Tap plastics, etc.) sell this stuff in sheets. Do a google search for UHMW and I bet you find numerous places that are wanting to sell some to you.

Thanks Steve, yea after a few more googles I realized there are many varieties. Hoping some of my rock heads will have a few scrap pieces for cheap. It must not be too good of an idea for rhinos, not much info, or at least that I can find.

how about the old truck bed liners ,might work

foyota86 wrote:

Thanks Steve, yea after a few more googles I realized there are many varieties. Hoping some of my rock heads will have a few scrap pieces for cheap. It must not be too good of an idea for rhinos, not much info, or at least that I can find.

It is probably the best skid plate material there is. Reasonably stiff, very gouge and scrape resistant, slippery and unbreakable. You cannot ask for much more.

A site with material properties comparisons: http://www.garlandmfg.com/plastics/comparegardur.html

I would like to see someone make a bed replacment from that it would save on the weight and nose from vibration.

I researched this a while back. They're pretty common and a few different companies making them for the Rhino. I'm not sure what the raw material costs but like anything I'm sure you can make a set for a fraction of the cost.

http://www.sidebysidesports.com/yarhskpluhpr.html
http://www.factoryutv.net/uhmw.htm

I talked with a manufacture today and he said 1/4' would be plenty thick for an off road application. Quoted me 6 bucks a square foot (used my old salesman talk) for a one time purchase with possible more purchases if it works out. In black at that. I am not sure 1/4" will be thick enough, but I guess we will find out....

I just saw a add today in a mag. selling uhmw guards theirs were 3/8 thick
might check before you buy

foyota86 wrote:

I talked with a manufacture today and he said 1/4' would be plenty thick for an off road application. Quoted me 6 bucks a square foot (used my old salesman talk) for a one time purchase with possible more purchases if it works out. In black at that. I am not sure 1/4" will be thick enough, but I guess we will find out....

Is that a place local to you? or is that a place that will ship to me? I would love to have some and make a rear cage top (and a new front cage top for it as well). I would probably cover the doors im going to build in it to. Let me know because i would be VERY interested in going in on some to make a larger buy if it will get the price down. Really i just want to get some and start making stuff.

I was thanking of using it for a cage top also I thank that's a excellent idea.

Is it easy to form, bend or roll.

How about bond 2 pieces together?

Thanks!

onebuilder wrote:

...........How about bond 2 pieces together?...........

I don't think that there is any glue that will stick to UHMW, think of it as a solid wax-like material. Plastic welding might be practical, using UHMW slivers as the welding rod. You would want to try it out and test it with some scrap material first.

could you heat an form it or bend it

rhino727 wrote:

could you heat an form it or bend it

It can be heated and then formed. You would want to bend it over a relatively large radius as to not neck it down too much (if strength is important). Like most plastics, cold forming leaves it wanting to spring back over time.

I used a material like this for my floorpan guards. Cut it out of a 55 gallon barrel from work. Its a little thin but tough. A little time consuming bending it, but it can be done with some heat and bracing. Didn't cost anything.

chuddly wrote:

foyota86 wrote:

I talked with a manufacture today and he said 1/4' would be plenty thick for an off road application. Quoted me 6 bucks a square foot (used my old salesman talk) for a one time purchase with possible more purchases if it works out. In black at that. I am not sure 1/4" will be thick enough, but I guess we will find out....

Is that a place local to you? or is that a place that will ship to me? I would love to have some and make a rear cage top (and a new front cage top for it as well). I would probably cover the doors im going to build in it to. Let me know because i would be VERY interested in going in on some to make a larger buy if it will get the price down. Really i just want to get some and start making stuff.

Naw, it is just some place I found on line. I will call him again, to get his ok to post his number on here and maybe expect some more calls. He was very nice and down to earth. Really excited to work with this stuff. I might try to a "sample" piece shipped just to check it out. I would love to cover the entire bottom with it. One issue I read somewhere, was it is so slick that on off camber situation and you get on log or rock, it will slide right off!

now that good help sounds better to me now

I am also interested in this so if you can post that number to the sales man that would be great

It is really good stuff, I ran it on my Grizzly and loved it. Not sure how much I like it on the heavier Rhino's though, my factory front skid only made it about 250 miles. You might check ebay as well, I think I remember seeing some good prices on smaller pieces on there.