Current disabled sports wheelchairs are made to allow athletes better speed and maneuverability on the field. However, the findings of recent research related to the disabled sports wheelchairs is still not clear to determine the most appropriate material to be used. ULTRAHIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT POLYETHYLENE (UHMWPE) was suggested as an alternative material of break pad

1. Prepared by
SITI NADZIFAH BINTI GHAZALI (2010949421)
Degree of Science (Hons) Chemistry
Universiti Teknologi MARA

2. INTRODUCTION
 Current disabled sports wheelchairs are made to allow
athletes better speed and maneuverability on the field.
 However, the findings of recent research related to the
disabled sports wheelchairs is still not clear to
determine the most appropriate material to be used.
 More research should be conducted and latest
technologies should be developed to determine the most
suitable selection material and must consider both the
manufacturer and the end-user.

4. INTRODUCTION
 The materials is the priority things to be considers since it
impacts characteristics such as durability, strength, cost,
appearance design and manufacturing flexibility, and weight.
 Although there have been significant improvements in
materials for aforementioned wheelchair, there some
excellent improvement of material still can be developed.
Some of the areas that include:
 Seating Materials : Comfort, ease of cleaning and high
durability.
 Tires and Wheels : Improved wear without compromising
ride and traction, non-conductive, non-marking, durable.

5. ULTRAHIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT
POLYETHYLENE (UHMWPE)
o The thermoplastic polymer.
o Also known as high-modulus polyethylene, (HMPE) or
high-performance polyethylene (HPPE).
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
 Outstanding toughness cut and wear resistance.
 Excellent chemical resistance.
 Good low temperature impact resistance.
 very tough material, with the highest impact strength
compared to any thermoplastic presently made
 odorless, tasteless, and nontoxic.
 extremely low moisture absorption and a very low coefficient
of friction
 self-lubricating
 and is highly resistant to abrasion,
• Costly
compared to
another
thermoplastic
polymer.

6. ULTRAHIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT
POLYETHYLENE (UHMWPE)
o UHMWPE sheet is can be cut into small blocks to be used
as a brake pad material for aforementioned wheelchair
trials rim brakes.
o The material's combination of flexibility and abrasion
resistance allows it to run on a roughened rim surface to
lock the braked wheels extremely securely when the
brake is pulled, while still wearing at a slower rate than
more common wheelchair brake pad materials.