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Alternative skid plate material

C

chrisjlittle

RCC Addict
Joined
Nov 4, 2007
Messages
1,170
Location
BV
I kinda got this idea from a local guy who's been using high density polyethylene skidplates, so I started doing some research on wikipedia, and found an article about ultra high molecular weight polyethylene According to this article, UHMWPE has a coefficient of friction comparable to teflon, better abrasion resistance than carbon steel, and the highest impact strength of any thermoplastic currently available. Sounds perfect right? I picked some up (3/8") at the local plastics supply house, and it's cheaper than delrin too! I finally got around to making a skid out of it yesterday, and I did some critical durability testing today:lol: and I am pleased. It definitely slides over rock better than delrin. It holds threads pretty well, though not quite as well as delrin. I used somewhat longer screws than I would with a delrin skid, so I'm not worried. I cut the skid out with a plywood blade on a table saw, and rounded the ends off with a router and had no gummy mess like with cutting board. I am fully confident this will be my new skid material of choice.

While I was at the plastics shop, I checked out UHMWPE rod for links. It's not going to work for that, it's just too flexible. The guy there said he'd never seen UHMWPE tubing, and I don't have the resources to drill rod out all the way, so I will continue using delrin for links.
 
I came to RCC this evening to ask why no one seems to be using this material (search pays off, kids). I have a little experience with plastics from some jobs I did back in the day, and U.H.M.W.P.E. is a pretty amazing material. It has a "self healing" property that I would think should make it hold threads BETTER than Delrin over time. Do you still feel it doesn't hold as well? When the time comes*, I'm making my skid out of it. I wondered if it would be too flexy for links... Looks like you are thinking it is. Any new developments on that front?

So what's the deal? Why aren't you's guys rockin' the P.E. skids?

\oo/_ :twisted: _\oo/
n.


*what am I talking about?! i don't even have a rig yet!
 
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I believe they use this stuff in joint replacement and joint resurfacing surgery due to its very low coefficient of friction. Less friction means less wear so less wear particles floating around your joint to bugger it up in the long term.

But yeah, try a coarser thread like Sydwaiz said...less chance of pulling out.
 
Rid out plastics.. And plastifab ... Both are in San Diego. Tryin out 3/8 version skids out of the same. The 1/8 has not proven too well for side plate material.
 
That's what I'm talkin' about! Good to see that some folks are trying this stuff out.

\oo/_ :twisted: _\oo/
n.
 
It's used a lot in woodworking fixtures as well. I've tried machining it, and I'm not real crazy about it. That "self healing" feature that was talked about makes it tough to machine on a small scale. Delrin machines really nice which is probably why it's so popular. UHMW is super slick though.
 
actually chaotic crawlers was using this material for his el nino chassis's at first!

it's way slicker than delrin, but I found it wore down faster over time compared to delrin.
it is also more flexible too!

I would run it again if he made me one in a 50mm width!"thumbsup"
 
I haven't used it in a while because I'm too lazy to make my own skid plates and I change chassis too often to ever wear out a skid plate:mrgreen: I still have a bunch left and I may do something with it someday. I'd still say it's too flexy for side plates or links, but if I were still making my own skids I'd use UHMW over delrin.

BTW, dig up stupid old theads much nathan?:flipoff:
 
C*H*U*D said:
It's used a lot in woodworking fixtures as well. I've tried machining it, and I'm not real crazy about it. That "self healing" feature that was talked about makes it tough to machine on a small scale. Delrin machines really nice which is probably why it's so popular. UHMW is super slick though.
Click to expand...

We have a few parts at work we cut out of this stuff. Gotta hold +/- .002" on them. Not the funnest parts to make. Can't never tell where the parts gonna be from one cut to the next.:lol: We have piles of the stuff at work I could use....much easier to just buy my own delrin.:lol:

nathanotis said:
Ha! I (A noob) use the search and this is the thanks I get?! You guys are never happy :razz:

\oo/_ :twisted: _\oo/
n.
Click to expand...

I'd rather see an old thread dug up than a new one.
 
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