aBOUT Acetal/Delrin Plastic Materials & Machining
Dimensionally stable material ideal for electrical & medical applications
Acetal (often marketed under its brand name, Delrin) are names for this high-performance thermoplastic. It's known as a stable, low-creep, FDA-compliant plastic with excellent electrical properties As a thermoplastic polymer of formaldehyde, it has high mechanical strength, dimensional stability, and a wide temperature range. The material is ideal for a breadth of applications, including but not limited to medical, automotive, and industrial food production.
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More About Acetal/Delrin
Properties & Characteristics
Acetal as a copolymer, or Delrin as a homopolymer, has excellent mechanical, electrical, and wear properties, as well as good dimensional stability with low creep.
This is a great material for bearing applications because it has a low coefficient of friction and wears well in both wet and dry plastic machined applications.
In addition, it has low moisture absorption and high dielectric strength, hence finding many uses in electrical products. With a high melting point, acetal machined parts can be used in continuous exposure to temperatures up to 185°F and burst exposure to 200°F.
It has good resistance to solvents, though strong acids and bases should be avoided. For a list of which chemicals to avoid, see our chart.
| Grade | Product Characteristics | Common Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Acetal | Low moisture absorption, low coefficient of friction, | Medical devices, electrical components, mechanical components |
| Delrin | Outstanding fatigue endurance, high impact resistance, natural lubricity | Pumps and beverage valves, medical devices, wear surfaces |
When it comes to material shapes, Acetal and Delrin both have good stiffness and toughness grades. However, Delrin has slightly higher mechanical properties. Yet it should be known that the extrusion process for Delrin suffers from centerline porosity in sheets. Generally, Delrin sheet products are not watertight. Other notable properties are good hydrolytic stability and resiliency.
Is Acetal/Delrin fit your project?
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Machinability, Applications, & Aesthetics
While designers and engineers use acetal for components in many different industries, those in aerospace, industrial food production, and electrical find the most use out of this material. Known for its electrical insulation properties, we're able to use the material for certain housings that would be unfit to use with other materials.
Due to its low moisture absorption and low friction, we find that acetal/Delrin is a fit material for bushings, gears, bearings, and other moving parts.
Most have witnessed the excellent machinability the materials has as well. Able to work with tight tolerances and be formed into complex shapes, most machinists find it easy to work with acetal without much issue.
Moreover, acetal is available in many colors and varieties, allowing aesthetic choices for consideration when making.
Limitations & Considerations
While it's important to note that while acetal is a good material overall, it does have some limitations.
- Acetal can be sensitive to UV radiation and degrade the material quicker if left to prolonged sunlight exposure.
- It can be susceptible to stress cracking when in contact with certain materials. To see which, visit our chart here.