Polyethylene ground protection mats used on construction sites must be hard enough to withstand the load pressure of heavy vehicles (such as cranes, mixer trucks, excavators) when rolling over them without obvious deformation, cracking or excessive wear. The following is a detailed description:
Common polyethylene materials and recommended hardness
Material type Typical Shore hardness (D) Features Application suggestions
HDPE (high-density polyethylene) 60-70D Good rigidity and high economy General construction sites, temporary roads, light machinery passage
UHMWPE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) 65-75D Wear-resistant, impact-resistant, crack-resistant Heavy-load conditions, crane support, sandy/uneven terrain
The impact of hardness on performance
Hardness level Performance Risk
Too low (<60D) The plate is easy to bend, the surface is deformed, and the support force is poor. There are great safety hazards Moderate (60-70D) Elastic, moderate compression deformation resistance Applicable to general safety scenarios High (>75D) Improves deformation resistance, but may reduce flexibility and easy to crack Suitable for hard ground and flat sites
Practical application suggestions
Light vehicle passage (such as transport vehicles):
HDPE plate is sufficient, thickness ≥15mm, hardness ≥60D;
Medium and heavy machinery construction (such as crawler equipment):
UHMWPE sheet is recommended, with a thickness of ≥20mm and a hardness of 65–75D;
Texture or double-sided pattern can be added to improve friction.
Irregular or soft ground (such as sand, lawn):
The sheet should be slightly thicker (25mm+), and the hardness must still be guaranteed to be ≥65D;
The structure needs to be strengthened (such as reinforced design, modular assembly).
Tips for strengthening pressure resistance:
Increase the thickness of the sheet or strengthen the rib design;
Use a composite structure, such as honeycomb sandwich panel;
Double-sided anti-slip pattern to improve stability;
Add a bar to the edge of the sheet to prevent displacement.
