Need help identifying plastic

[Jim Sullivan]

I found this slab of plastic in my parents garage. It's approximately 2" thick an a little over a foot square. How can I figure out what material it is? Appears to be some type of plastic. It has circular saw marks on the edges and does not appear to have melted when it was cut.

 

[55Brodie]

Looks like UHMW-PE (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene). It is slippery stuff usually used for slideways, bearings, etc. Also cutting boards.

 

[bobs409]

Good luck with that! Here's just some types of plastic:



Here's the site that sells these: http://www.eplastics.com/

I recently bought some Delrin rod to make stuff out of. If your's is Delrin or Acetal, that stuff machines nicely.

 

[bobs409]

Just to mention, if you figure it out, it's probably worth a few bucks!

 

[Jim Sullivan]

Looks like UHMW-PE (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene). It is slippery stuff usually used for slideways, bearings, etc. Also cutting boards.

Are there any kind of "tests" that I can perform to verify? Melt temperature, burn color, scrape or cut with a saw?

 

[bobs409]

A quick google search turns up a lot on how to identify:

https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+identify+plastic+type&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-1

 

[blkblk63ss]

Question is when you find out what type it is, what are you going to do with it??? Did they fish?? Maybe used as a fish butchering block .

 

[Jim Sullivan]

A quick google search turns up a lot on how to identify:

https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+identify+plastic+type&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-1

Thanks Bob!

Question is when you find out what type it is, what are you going to do with it??? Did they fish?? Maybe used as a fish butchering block .

Once I can figure out what type plastic it is, I'll have to figure something to make or a use for it. I don't see any blood stains so I don't think my dad or brother butchered anything on it. But you never know.

 

[303Radar]

Hydrogen Peroxide or Bleach will remove most stains. Just pretty sure both should not be used together.

 

[55Brodie]

The easiest way to test if it is UHMW is to run your finger across the surface. UHMW will feel "oily" to the touch. Delrin, nylon and Teflon will not.

 

[ROYALOAK62]

By any chance could it be a sheet of CORIAN that used in sinks and counter tops.

Dave

 

[DonSSDD]

Could be marine Starboard? Does it feel really hard or kinda soft? Starboard is solid but kinda soft.

 

[Jim Sullivan]

By any chance could it be a sheet of CORIAN that used in sinks and counter tops.

Dave

Is there any way to tell for sure?

Could be marine Starboard? Does it feel really hard or kinda soft? Starboard is solid but kinda soft.

It's very hard and pretty heavy too.

 

[ROYALOAK62]

Sorry Jim,
I’ve used Corian in my home, it was already per-cut. But have no idea as to how to tell
Was reading about Corian and if you should work with Corian you should use some type of breathing Device as it’s a heavy dust that could damage your lungs. It’s all I know.

Dave

 

[bobs409]

I'm giving my guess of Delrin but I could be wrong. It comes in black and natural white. It's very hard and has a good amount of weight. If it is, that slab is worth some money. I'd ebay it if you can verify that. Even if it's another kind of plastic, that's a big chunk and should be worth some money.

I don't think it has a specific use in the size it is in, but rather stock material to make something from. Probably came from a manufacturing plant that someone worked at. (nobody will miss this one little piece)

 

[Jim Sullivan]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll see how it cuts and machines to see if I can use this for something.

 

[Iowa 409 Guy]

Hey Bob
One piece at a time. Johnny Cash

 

[Mearl]

We use that UMHW stuff for all kinds of things at work. All of our crankshaft carts are lined with it, anything that blocks, cranks, heads, transmission cases,etc. need to slide on is lined with it. I brought home an old bench with it on top and use it a lot. As someone said, it's crazy expensive.

 

[Austin Bubbletop]

It's used a lot in downhole equipment in the oilfield as well.

 

[bobs409]

Turned a black delrin shifter knob today for the Jeep with my home made ball turning tool. Knob is just under 2 inches (1.94) Will try sanding it with some finer grits yet, the way it's shown is from the cutting tool and some quick file action. From what I heard, it doesn't really shine up too well. Still thinking if I want to do a 5 speed shifter pattern on it or not. Will do another just like it for the 4WD shifter.