Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is widely used in national defense

military

aerospace

marine engineering and sporting goods and other fields with its excellent physical and chemical properties such as wear resistance

impact resistance and corrosion resistance. More recently

catalysts that regulate UHMWPE morphology

molecular weight and distribution

branching degree

etc. have attracted great attentions from scientists. The development of Ziegler-Natta catalysts

metallocene catalysts

FI catalysts and posttransition metal catalysts for UHMWPE polymerization are reviewed.