Thermal infrared radiation (TIR) detection tests of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) subjected to uniaxial tension and compression were conducted. The authors analyzed the qualitative relations of stress and strain, and average infrared radiation temperature (AIRT) and strain. The experimental results indicated that, the amplification of AIRT positively increased with the loading speed and AIRT showed different tendencies to increase in the different stages of deformation, at the initial stage of tension the AIRT of UHMWPE specimens decreased at first, and then increased. During the whole process of compression, the tendency of AIRT changing with the increase of strain could be divided into three stages: at first the AIRT of UHMWPE specimens changed slightly, then quickly increased with the strain linearly, and at last slowly increased.