[SML] high density plastic stuff...

Dougherty, Jim jdougher at middlebury.edu
Sat Feb 29 16:08:01 UTC 2020


Not sure how similar HDPE behaves to UHMW polyethylene; if it is, I've found that UHMW moves a lot in relation to temperature.  I used it for decking material on a fire engine hose bed, and it expanded with the temp change brought on by sunlight.  Here's a link comparing the two - you can see the different thermal expansion coefficients:

https://www.curbellplastics.com/Research-Solutions/Plastic-Properties/HDPE-vs-UHMW 

Practically, this meant that the material buckled where restrained by bolts and popped loose with pop rivets.  Depends on how you're going to use your carts, the thickness of material you use and how you attach it.

Maybe a silly question, but any reason not to use a good plywood that you can replace if it suffers too much abuse? Costwise, I think you'd be able to replace it once or twice and still save money.

- Jim Dougherty
Middlebury College Theatre Dept



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