UHMWPE Fender Pads
A UHMW-PE fender pad is a separate, drawing-led, low-friction component specified for the marine fender-facing interface. It is selected when a project requires a replaceable contact surface between the vessel hull and the fender frontal panel.
The pad geometry, material grade and fixing details are confirmed against the approved panel drawing and the project contact duty.
What UHMW-PE Fender Pads Do in a Marine Panel System
The pad provides a replaceable, sacrificial low-friction contact surface at the point where the vessel hull contacts the fender panel. The pad does not by itself define the complete steel panel geometry, the supporting fender system, or the structural design—those responsibilities belong to the fender-system designer and the panel engineer. For a complete rubber-fender or system enquiry, see the rubber fender page.
Select Material and Performance Around the Actual Duty
Virgin UHMW-PE is the default heavy-duty option for marine fender pads. Regenerated UHMW-PE may be considered when the duty and durability requirements permit. These provisional reference values depend on the selected grade, the counterface condition, and the project environment.
| Property | Provisional Baseline | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 0.94–0.96 g/cm³ | Grade-dependent |
| Dynamic friction (PE-to-steel) | ~0.15 | Under stated supplier condition; varies with counterface and environment |
| Yield strength | 15–20 N/mm² | Grade-dependent |
| Operating temperature | −80°C to +80°C | Application-dependent |
All values are provisional and condition-dependent. Material selection should be confirmed against the specific contact duty, operating environment and panel interface.
Define Thickness, Geometry and Machining From the Panel Drawing
The finished pad geometry is controlled by the approved panel drawing. The following checklist identifies the drawing details required to define the pad:
- 01
Thickness
: Provisional range of 6–150 mm; final thickness follows the approved panel drawing and project-specific wear allowance.
- 02
Overall dimensions
: Pad length, width, and perimeter shape to match the panel contact area.
- 03
Hole or fixing pattern
: Follow the approved panel drawing and selected fixing arrangement.
- 04
Edge treatment
: Chamfers as specified by the approved panel drawing.
- 05
Tolerances
: Final tolerances follow the approved panel drawing.
Coordinate Fixing, Wear Allowance and Replacement Access
The pad interface and fixing arrangement must be reviewed in coordination with the supporting steel structure. Fixing selection considers:
- 01
Fixing type
: Welded studs, bolted arrangements, or low-profile and countersunk fixings, selected around the supporting structure.
- 02
Wear allowance
: Confirm the project-specific allowance.
- 03
Residual thickness at countersinks
: Confirm it in the fixing review.
- 04
Interface loads
: Review them for the project-specific interface.
- 05
Thermal movement
: Review it for the project-specific interface.
- 06
Replacement access
: Confirm it in the project-specific arrangement.
Prepare a Project-Specific UHMW-PE Pad RFQ
A technically useful UHMW-PE pad RFQ includes the following information:
- 01
Panel drawing
: Approved panel drawing showing interface geometry, fixing locations, and dimensional tolerances.
- 02
Pad layout
: Perimeter shape, overall dimensions, and contact-area position relative to the panel face.
- 03
Thickness
: Specified nominal thickness and project-specific wear allowance for the pad assembly.
- 04
Hole or fixing pattern
: Fixing-hole positions, diameters, countersink depths, and residual-thickness requirements.
- 05
Vessel-contact duty
: Expected vessel displacement, berthing frequency, and vessel-hull material or coating condition.
- 06
Operating environment
: Installation location, temperature range, exposure to UV, seawater, or ice conditions.
- 07
Quantity
: Total pad count, whether for multiple panels, replacements, or staged project delivery.
- 08
Required documentation
: Material certificates, dimensional inspection records, or project-specific traceability requirements.
Request a Project-Specific UHMW-PE Pad Quote
Send the approved panel drawing and the project inputs above. We will review the configuration basis, identify any missing details and prepare the quotation against the confirmed pad scope.