Marine fenders are devices that absorb the kinetic energy of a ship or a boat during berthing or mooring, reducing the damage to both the vessel and the structure. They are usually installed on docks, piers, wharves, quays, jetties and other marine structures. One of the key components of a marine fender system is the facing pad, which is attached to the front surface of the fender or a steel panel. The facing pad serves as a contact point between the ship's hull and the fender system, providing a smooth and low-friction surface that minimizes abrasion and wear. The most common material used for facing pads is ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW PE), which is a thermoplastic polymer with outstanding properties such as high impact strength, abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, UV resistance and self-lubrication. UHMW PE has a molecular weight of 3.5 million to 9.2 million g/mol, which is much higher than other types of polyethylene. UHMW PE facing pads offer several advantages over other materials such as rubber or wood: - They have very low friction coefficient (0.05-0.11), which reduces drag force and fuel consumption for ships. - Excellent abrasion resistance (15 times higher than carbon steel), which prolongs their service life and reduces maintenance costs. - High impact strength (up to 200 kJ/m2), which absorbs shock energy and prevents cracking or breaking. - Good chemical resistance (resistant to seawater, oil, acid and alkali), which prevents corrosion or degradation. - UV and ozone resistance (no discoloration or aging), which preserves their appearance and performance. - Easy to install (can be cut, drilled, welded or bolted), which simplifies fabrication and installation processes. - 100% recyclable (can be reused or reprocessed), which reduces environmental impact. UHMW PE facing pads can be customized according to different specifications and dimensions to suit various types of marine fenders such as arch fenders, cell fenders, cone fenders and I fenders. UHMW PE facing pads can also be produced in different colors such as black, yellow, blue, red, green and orange to enhance visibility and aesthetics. UHMW PE facing pads are widely used in various marine applications such as Ports Harbors Terminals Shipyards Offshore platforms Naval bases Lock entrances Bridge buttresses Workboats