Page 65 - 《橡塑技术与装备》英文版2026年2期

INTELLIGENT AND DIGITAL APPLICATIONS

characteristics such as resistance to strong acid and alkali achieve high flexibility and low inertia, enhancing motion
corrosion, UV resistance, low friction coefficient, hygiene, and accuracy. When used in sliding components such as bearings
non-toxicity. Its operating temperature can be as low as -70°C, and bushings, UHMW-PE requires no lubricating oil and has
and it is even suitable for liquid nitrogen environments. Due superior physical properties compared to metal materials.
to its extremely high molecular weight, traditional processing For sensors and body coverings: it combines protective
of UHMW-PE is challenging. Through specialized injection performance and lightweight requirements, optimizing the
molding machines and process optimization, efficient molding human-robot interaction experience.
can be achieved, with production efficiency reaching 10 to 40 2.8 TPU
molds per hour, significantly improving compared to traditional Thermoplastic Polyurethanes (TPU), a kind of linear
pressing and sintering methods. block polymer composed of soft segments (long-chain
UHMW-PE, with its high strength, lightweight, wear oligomeric diols) and hard segments (diisocyanates and
resistance, and corrosion resistance, has become a key material chain extenders), is a polymer material positioned between
for lightweighting and enhancing the motion performance of rubber and plastic. Its molecular structure is primarily linear,
humanoid robots. Its unique properties are irreplaceable in the with strong polarity in the hard segments. The microphase
field of robotics. Its specific strength is 15 times that of high- regions of the hard segments form physical crosslinks through
quality steel wire and 1.8 times that of carbon fiber, while its hydrogen bonding, distributed in the soft segment matrix to
density is only 0.97 times that of water, significantly reducing create a physical crosslink point, thus endowing the elastomer
the robot's self-weight. Tesla Optimus Gen2 uses UHMW- with the elastic recovery properties of vulcanized rubber.
PE lightweight material to achieve a weight reduction of 10 TPU forms physical crosslinks through hydrogen bonding,
kg and a walking speed increase of 30%. With its low friction can be heated for plasticization, and is soluble in specific
coefficient and self-lubricating properties, it is suitable for solvents. According to its composition, it can be divided
high-frequency motion transmission components (such as into polyester and polyether types, featuring a wide range
tendons and joints) and can withstand long-term high-load of hardness (60HA~85HD), wear resistance, oil resistance,
operation without easy wear. Its chemical corrosion resistance transparency, good elasticity, and maintaining flexibility within
and bending performance make it suitable for protective shells the temperature range of -40~120 ℃ without the need for
and flexible transmission structures. It maintains toughness plasticizers.
even in a liquid nitrogen environment at -200 ℃, avoiding the The unique properties of TPU composite materials have
low-temperature brittleness problem of ordinary plastics. demonstrated potential applications in humanoid robots,
The tendon transmission system plays a role in simulating particularly in the areas of flexible components, structural
human tendons in humanoid robots, driving joint movements materials, and electronic skin, which have garnered significant
by pulling or relaxing ropes. The tendon material is dexterous attention. By incorporating components such as glass fibers,
hand tendon, which pulls fingers to complete various actions carbon black, and silica, TPU composite materials enhance
and is an important material for enhancing the fine control strength and heat resistance while maintaining lightweight
ability and lightweight of dexterous hands. Tendon materials characteristics, reducing robot energy consumption and
are mainly divided into polymer fiber and metal categories. enhancing motion flexibility. TPU materials combine the
UHMW-PE has replaced steel wire as the core material of elasticity of rubber with the processability of plastics, offering
tendons, with a weight only 1/7 to 1/8 of steel wire, requiring excellent wear resistance and weather resistance, making
no rust prevention. The value of a single robot tendon is about them suitable for manufacturing components such as joint
3,520 yuan. If the global shipment reaches 10 million units, the buffer layers and cable protective covers that require repeated
market size will exceed 35 billion yuan. UHMW-PE is used in deformation. They support 3D printing and complex structure
joint components, integrated into the transmission and support molding, allowing for customization of properties such as
structure of dexterous hands, simulating human tendons to hardness and elasticity through formulation adjustments,

Vol.52，2026 ·21·