Ethan Clarke
Acetal, also known as polyoxymethylene (POM), is a type of engineering thermoplastic with high strength, low friction, and excellent wear properties. It is chemically resistant to hydrocarbons, solvents, and neutral chemicals. Acetal has a wide range of applications, including in the industrial, electronics, and transportation industries. It is also used in food processing and packaging machinery parts, as well as in medical applications. Acetal is available in both homopolymer and copolymer forms, with the homopolymer version offering more stiffness and improved mechanical properties, while the copolymer version has less porosity and better performance in wet and high-temperature environments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Other names | Polyoxymethylene (POM), Polyacetal, Polyformaldehyde, Paraformaldehyde (PFA) |
| Type | Thermoplastic |
| Strength | High |
| Friction | Low |
| Moisture absorption | Low |
| Wear and abrasion | Good resistance |
| Chemical resistance | Resistant to hydrocarbons, solvents, and neutral chemicals |
| Temperature range | Constantly subjected to temperatures between 160°F and 185°F |
| Melting point | High |
| Flexibility | High ratio |
| Stiffness | High |
| Durability | High |
| Density | 1.410–1.420 g/cm3 |
| Colour | Intrinsically opaque white, but can be produced in a variety of colours |
| Manufacturing | Can be produced by plastic injection moulding |
| Uses | Bearings, bushings, pump and valve parts, manifolds, gears, food processing and packaging machinery parts, wear pads, wear strips, high-performance engineering components (e.g. small gear wheels, eyeglass frames, ball bearings, ski bindings, fasteners, gun parts, knife handles), electronics, sports clothing, bathroom fixtures, computer keyboards, household appliance components |
| Alternatives | Nylon, PBT |
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What You'll Learn
Acetal plastic's properties and uses
Acetal, also known as polyoxymethylene (POM), polyacetal, or polyformaldehyde, is a unique and widely used engineering thermoplastic. It is often used to replace metal in a variety of applications. Acetal is known for its high strength, stiffness, and durability, as well as its low coefficient of friction and excellent bearing properties. It is chemically resistant to hydrocarbons, solvents, and neutral chemicals.
Acetal is available in both homopolymer and copolymer forms, with different brands offering their own blends of acetal. For example, Delrin, a brand-specific POM homopolymer from DuPont, is widely used in industrial applications such as valve components, pumps, gears, and insulators. Other brands include Celcon, Ultraform, Hostaform, and more. Homopolymer acetal typically has higher strength, stiffness, and better machining properties, while the copolymer offers improved chemical resistance and performs better in high heat and hot water environments.
Acetal has a wide range of uses and is sought after by many companies. Its applications include bearings and bushings, pump and valve parts, gears, food processing and packaging machinery parts, wear pads, and strips. It is also used in high-performance engineering components such as small gear wheels, eyeglass frames, ball bearings, ski bindings, fasteners, gun parts, and knife handles. Acetal is also used in the automotive and consumer electronics industries.
Acetal is easy to machine and can be molded into complex shapes with tight tolerances, making it ideal for applications requiring precision. It has a high melting point and can withstand constant temperatures between 160°F and 185°F. Acetal also absorbs very little moisture and maintains its physical characteristics across a wide range of conditions.
Acetal has some disadvantages, such as sensitivity to acid hydrolysis and oxidation by agents like mineral acids and chlorine. It is also susceptible to alkaline attack and degradation in hot water. Solvent welding is typically unsuccessful on acetal due to its excellent solvent resistance.
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Acetal copolymer vs. homopolymer
Acetal, also known as polyoxymethylene (POM), is a type of engineering plastic with high strength, low friction, and low moisture absorption. It is used in precision parts requiring high stiffness, low friction, and excellent dimensional stability. Acetal is available in both homopolymer and copolymer forms, with distinct properties and applications.
Acetal homopolymer, often referred to by the brand name Delrin®, is a tough, lightweight, and durable polymer with low friction, low wear, and excellent spring-back properties. It has a higher crystallinity, resulting in a higher heat distortion temperature and superior mechanical strength, stiffness, and toughness. Acetal homopolymer is ideal for applications such as small-diameter, thin-walled bushings, bearings, gears, electrical components, and fluid handling.
On the other hand, acetal copolymer exhibits higher continuous use temperatures due to its better long-term stability. It has lower crystallinity, which translates to improved friction resistance, especially in wet environments. Acetal copolymer is commonly used in food processing applications as it offers excellent wear and impact resistance. It is also resistant to common cleaning agents and has good chemical resistance. Additionally, acetal copolymer is well-suited for components in corrosive environments, such as valves and seals, thanks to its low moisture absorption and high electrical strength.
Acetal copolymer is widely used across the automotive, food, and electronics industries due to its adaptability, machinability, and ability to perform well in a diverse range of applications. Acetal homopolymer, despite being more expensive, offers superior mechanical strength, stiffness, hardness, and creep resistance. It is often specified for high-performance, high-precision mechanical parts, such as valve components, pumps, gears, insulators, and rollers.
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Acetal brand names
Acetal, also known as polyoxymethylene (POM), is a type of engineering plastic with high strength, low friction, and low moisture absorption. It is chemically resistant to hydrocarbons, solvents, and neutral chemicals. Acetal is available in both homopolymer and copolymer forms, with the homopolymer version exhibiting superior strength, stiffness, and toughness at room temperature.
Some brand names for acetal homopolymer include:
- Delrin®
- Delrin® 150
- Delrin® 511P
- Delrin® AF DE588
- Sustarin® H AF – DE588
- Ensinger Delrin® Natural
- Rochling H-Delrin® Natural
- Quadrant Delrin® 150 Natural
Acetal copolymer, on the other hand, offers improved performance in continuous high-heat and hot water environments, along with less porosity.
Brand names for acetal copolymer include:
- Delrin® AF
- Delrin® 100AF blend
- Sustarin® C-Natural
- Quadrant Acetron® GP Natural
- Ensinger Tecaform Natural
- NYTEF Unital® C
- Westlake Pomalux® Natural
- Rochling Sustarin C-Natural
- Quadrant Acetron GP
- Ensinger Tecaform® Black
- NYTEF Unital® C BK
- Westlake Pomalux® Black
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Acetal alternatives
Acetal, also known as polyoxymethylene (POM), polyacetal, polyformaldehyde, or polymethylene glycol, is a type of engineering thermoplastic. It is used in precision parts requiring high stiffness, low friction, and excellent dimensional stability. Acetal is also easy to machine, making it ideal for applications needing precise, tight tolerances.
There are several alternatives to acetal, including:
Delrin
Delrin is a brand-specific POM homopolymer from DuPont. It is widely used in industry applications such as valve components, pumps, gears, insulators, and rollers. Delrin has higher strength, stiffness, and better machining properties than acetal copolymers. It is also more expensive than acetal copolymers.
Nylon
Nylon is a thermoplastic that offers higher temperature resistance, tensile strength, stiffness, and lower costs than acetal. It can generally be used in place of acetal plastics, but it is less dimensionally stable and less chemically/wear-resistant.
PBT
PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) is a standard prime copolymer that can be used as an alternative to acetal. It has similar mechanical properties to POM and can survive outdoors and moisture. However, it requires more dehumidification and cannot be used in wet environments.
Other Acetal Copolymers
There are several other acetal copolymers available, such as Acetron®, Kepital® POM, Sustarin® C, Tecaform®, and Tenac™-C. These copolymers have improved chemical resistance and lower moisture absorption compared to homopolymer acetal. They also tend to have less porosity than homopolymer acetals.
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Acetal's performance in different environments
Acetal, also known as polyoxymethylene (POM), is a type of engineering plastic. It is known for its high strength, low friction, and low moisture absorption. Acetal is chemically resistant to hydrocarbons, solvents, and neutral chemicals. It is also resistant to wear and abrasion in both wet and dry environments. These properties make acetal ideal for applications requiring precise, tight tolerances.
Wet Environments
Acetal is well-suited for wet environments due to its low moisture absorption and excellent wear properties. It is often used in watercraft and water vessel parts, as it does not easily break down or corrode when submerged in water. It also has excellent resistance to chemicals and solvents, making it suitable for use in food handling and medical components.
High-Temperature Environments
Acetal's copolymer version, also known as POM-C, is better suited for high-temperature environments due to its dimensional stability and improved chemical resistance. It exhibits excellent performance in continuous high-heat and hot water environments.
Dry Environments
Acetal also performs well in dry environments, offering excellent resistance to wear and abrasion. Its low coefficient of friction and high strength make it suitable for high-performance engineering components such as gear wheels, ski bindings, and ball bearings.
Industrial Environments
Acetal is commonly used in industrial environments that require strength, toughness, and chemical resistance. It is often used for industrial components such as gears, gaskets, seals, pumps, valves, and rollers.
Consumer Electronics and Automotive Industries
Acetal's copolymer version is widely used in the consumer electronics and automotive industries. It is used for applications such as rollers, bushings, small gear wheels, fasteners, lock systems, and fuel tank modules.
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Frequently asked questions
Acetal plastic, also known as polyoxymethylene (POM), polyacetal, or polyformaldehyde, is an engineering thermoplastic used in precision parts requiring high stiffness, low friction, and excellent dimensional stability.
Acetal plastic is used in a variety of industries, including industrial, electronics, and transportation. It is often used in the production of small components such as washers, spacers, dashboard panels, seating, storage areas, and complex machinery parts.
Acetal plastic offers high strength, stiffness, and toughness. It has excellent wear properties in both wet and dry environments and is chemically resistant to hydrocarbons, solvents, and neutral chemicals. It is also easy to machine, making it a popular choice for applications requiring complex shapes.
There are two main types of acetal plastic: copolymer and homopolymer. Copolymer acetal has improved chemical resistance, lower moisture absorption, and less porosity, making it suitable for food contact and medical applications. Homopolymer acetal, such as the brand-name Delrin, offers higher stiffness, flex fatigue resistance, and creep resistance.
