that's odd..
really.
PTFE is always PTFE but not always the same of course.
(teflon is a brand name, not the best ptfe around said my plastics guru)
it comes (as all plastics) in slight variations from shore 65 to shore 72 for example, I got one of the highest rated because my whole head assembly relies on just the ptfe part, if that fails I'm screwed

not much weight.. but I could position my head below the table by a cm or two.. and there lies some fatality in that.
Anyways, I always get my stuff at a local plastics company (reseller not manufacturer)
I can't recall the brand but it's labeled "machinable, food and chemical applications" or something along those lines.
Anyways, I also got the same part made from PEEK, it does the exact same job for me for almost twice the cost

I just noticed, that the PEEK part had a dent from my fingernail, so I assumed it's weaker than PTFE (no way I can scratch it with my fingernails..)
But you're right, it's nicer to machine than PTFE, but I need a tapped hole and I'm done.. so I haven't payed much attention to that in detail.
ALL PE materials are out,
since the part needs to withstand a certain amount of heat (the toolehead is for melting ABS.. so yeah

) and PE won't so I haven't had the need to have an identical PE part.
I do have some machined (HD)PE parts however and although they're good for what they are, they are crap compared to PEEK or PTFE.
Again, if 'your' UHMW is 'my' UHMW (PE and not some other more fancy plastic)
it should be closer to HDPE than to PEEK or PTFE.
But hygroscopic?? that makes me wonder ... HOW?
PE itself is hydrophobic, that's why freezer bags are made of PE mostly,
or what I often use: large plastic cutting boards,
cheap, reliable and in "butchers" versions thick enough for more serious parts

One might be UHMWPE but I consider it to be HDPE, although it beaves slightly different, but it has the same specific mass.. and frankly I don't care much
to have a hygroscopic effect you would need to add talcum or something.
I can't imagine a reason why you would want that..
but I'm sure there are some that I just don't know of
Anyways, HDPE (UHMW..) PEEK or PTFE, no matter what the pads are made of in that bearing,
if they do not withstand the load it's easy to make steel or aluminium pads,
since it doesn't need to slide much anyways
'sid