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Acetal Copolymer

Acetal Copolymer

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Acetal Materials

Acetal Copolymer / Dupont Delrin® 150SA Homopolymer

Which Acetal material should you use? (POM)

  • Both Acetal Copolymer and Delrin® 150SA Homopolymer are FDA Compliant
  • Both are very stiff and have excellent dimensional stability
  • Are Self Lubricating, Abrasion Resistance, and Excellent Wear properties
  • Available in Natural, Black and Blue. Custom colors also available.
  • Cuts extremely well with standard cutting tools
  • Delrin® AF (PTFE Filled), Glass Filled, and Specialty Grades Available
  • Delrin® 150SA Homopolymer have similar properties and frequently replace: Noryl®Nylon®, and PET or PBT materials
  • Acetal and Delrin® are High Tech Performance Plastics

Some reasons to choose Homopolymer vs. Copolymer

Both Acetal (POM) grades have very similar properties. Our clients seem to prefer the Dupont brand name Homopolymer materials because of the superior physical properties. The issues that lead clients to the Copolymer is a slightly lower cost, and the minor inherent center-line porosity in the Delrin® 150SA Homopolymer grade.

Dupont™ Delrin ® is a popular acetal homopolymer brand name and the most commonly used acetal homopolymer.

The Delrin® 150SA is a brand name of Dupont, and it is often referred to as POM-H or Acetal Homopolymer. Common brand or trade names for extruded Acetal sheet and rod materials include: Tecaform® AH, SUSTARIN® C, ZL® 900-C, Pomalux®, Unital®, Mechatec Acetal®, Acetron® and many more. This excellent mechanical plastic material is also referred to as: Acetal Copolymer rod, Copolymer Acetal rod, Copolymer Plastic Rod, Acetal Copolymer vs Acetal Homopolymer, Homopolymer Acetal rod, Acetal Homopolymer rod, and many others.

Specializing in Wholesale Acetal and Delrin Engineering Plastics, Mechanical Plastics and High Performance Plastics

**Note:  Delrin® is a registered Trademark of Dupont

**See also: Alignable Acetal – Delrin Page

 

10-inch-Black-Acetal-Rod

Why you should use Acetal/ Delrin®

  • Both the Dupont Delrin® and Acetal Copolymer are FDA Compliant
  • They are very stiff and have excellent dimensional stability
  • Are self-lubricating, abrasion-resistant, and have excellent wear properties
  • Cuts extremely well with standard cutting tools
  • Delrin® AF (PTFE Filled), Glass Filled and Specialty Grades Available
  • Delrin® Rod and Plate have similar properties and frequently replace: Noryl®Nylon and PET materials

Some reasons to choose Homopolymer vs. Copolymer

Both POM grades have very similar properties. Our clients seem to prefer the Acetal over the Homopolymer materials due to the inherent center-line porosity in the Delrin® Homo-polymer version. This means, that along the center of a rod, or the middle of a sheet, there is a band of area with tiny porous holes. This can weaken or cause problems with a finished part, and in extreme cases, you may see blow by or leakage at this center line. While Delrin® is a brand name, it is a POM Homo-polymer.

The most requested and popular item we supply is the Acetal; the POM Copolymer resin made by one of the other big resin manufacturers – like BASF or Celanese/Tacona.

Both Delrin and Acetal are ITAR compliant, and Delrin and Acetal are RoHS compliant.

The most requested and popular item we supply is the Acetal; the POM Co-polymer resin made by one of the other big resin manufacturers – like BASF or Celanese/Tacona.

Both of these premium performance plastic resins are readily available. If you would prefer the Delrin® brand Sheet or Rod, drop us a line, send us an email – we will be happy to ship the requested material for you. We don’t make judgments on the suitability of material for your application, we just supply what you, our clients ask for. Please, just let us know ahead of time if you have a preference. There are a few other names we hear when people are looking for Delrin®, like Delron, Delran, Delrun, Delren, and many more. Just let us know, and we will be happy to supply a high quality Delrin® brand or Copolymer Acetal product.

Want more information on the differences?  Acetal Compared With Delrin®  and Use The Best Wholesale Acetal Rod and Delrin® Rod Supplier. Natural Acetal Copolymer Rod Now Available up to 24″ in Diameter

Still not sure Delrin® or Acetal is the proper material for your application, consult our free Plastic Materials Selection Guide.

Industrial Plastic Supply proudly stocks Acetal and Dupont Delrin 150SA from these premium manufacturers:

Ensinger® Plastics for Dupont Delrin 150SA and Tecaform AH Copolymer Acetal

Rochling® Plastics for Dupont Delrin 150SA and Sustarin C Copolymer Acetal

Z/L Plastics® for Dupont Delrin 150SA and ZL® 900 series Copolymer Acetal

And many more ‘American Made’ quality plastic manufacturers.

Both Delrin and Acetal are ITAR compliant, and Delrin and Acetal are RoHS compliant.

Acetal materials are excellent machining materials – a favorite of machinists. Works like a soft brass, and has exceptional dimensional stability. It comes as a stress relieved material, however if you plan to do extensive machining, you may need to stress relieve the parts prior to final pass. Rods are machined well in lathe and mill, sheets are machined or cut in most common machine tools.

  • Excellent Machining
  • Low co-efficient of Friction
  • Very low moisture resistance

The work horse of the mechanical plastics family, it is one of the most popular grades of material we supply. Other brand or trade names: Pomalux®, Acetron®, Ensital®, Unital®, Tecaform®, Ultraform®, Celcon®, BASF®, Hostaform®, Ticona®, and Dupont Delrin®. Occasionally we are asked for the difference between Acetal and HDPE – here is an explanationApplications – Frequently used in:

  • Wear and Slide machined parts from Rod and Plate
  • FDA, NSF, 3-A, and USDA Compliant Machined Parts
  • Easily machined parts for water / moisture environments
  • Critical tolerance and dimensionally stable parts
  • 185 degrees F Continuous Temperature Environments
  • Rod and Rods, Sheet and Sheets for numerous applications

Acetal Sheet and Rod Specifications:

In stock we normally carry one of these resins: BASF Ultraform® H4320, Kepital® F10-02, or Hostaform® M25. Current Certifications and Specifications used for Acetal – Delrin®: FDA, USDA, NSF, ASTM D6778 Superseded or out dated Specifications for Acetal – Delrin®: L-P-392, ASTM D4181

Materials Available As

Delrin® Sheet – Delrin®Plate or Acetal Sheet – Acetal Plate: .062″ – 6.0″ up to 48″ X 120″ in Natural (White) and Black.

Acetal sheet and Acetal Plate thickness normally in stock: .125″, .187″, .250″, .312″, .375″, .500″, .625″, .750″, .875″, 1.0″, 1.250″, 1.500″, 1.750″, 2.0″, 2.250″, 2.500″, 2.750″, 3.0″, 3.250″, 3.50″, 3.750″, 4.0″, 4.50″, 5.0″ and larger

Delrin® AF Sheet and Plate: .062″ – 3.0″ thick in 24″ X 48″, brown in color

Delrin® AF Rod: .250″ – 10″ diameter rod in up to 120″ lengths, brown in color

Film: .005″ – .062″ up to 24″ wide in Natural (White) and Black (minimums may apply)

Acetal Rod and Rods: .125″ – 10″ diameter in Natural (White) and Black up to 120″ lengths For Colored Acetal – Delrin Rod® Read Here.

Acetal Rod diameters normally in stock: .125″, .187″, .250″, .312″, .375″, .437″, .500″, .562″, .625″, .750″, .875″, 1.0″, 1.125″, 1.250″, 1.375″, 1.500″, 1.625″, 1.750″, 2.0″, 2.250″, 2.500″, 2.750″, 3.0″, 3.250″, 3.50″, 3.750″, 4.0″, 4.50″, 5.0″ and many more – up to 20.0″ diameter rod is available!

Special Formulations: Conductive, Static Dissipative, PTFE-TFE Filled, Glass Reinforced, Custom Sizes, Formulations, or Colors Occasionally we are asked for the difference between Acetal and HDPE – here is an explanation.

Typical Resin Properties:

General PropertyASTM TestTypical Value Unfilled Delrin® Homo-PolymerTypical Value Unfilled Co-PolymerTypical Value Delrin® AF
Specific GravityD7921.421.401.50
Tensile Strength YieldD6389,600 – 11,0009,000 – 10,2007,600
Tensile ModulusD638450,000400,000400,000
Izod Impact – NotchedD2561.21.00.9
Hardness – RockwellD785M94M90M89
Deflection Temp @ 264psiD648257220260
Deflection Temp @ 66 psiD648347335347
Water Absorption @ 24 hrs%0.240.250.20
Co. Thermal ExpansionD6966.83X10-55.4X10-55.0X10-5
Acetal Copolymer Sheet and Rod

Properties are for evaluation purposes only. This information is not to be construed as a warranty, guarantee or assurance that you may achieve the same results. Materials made from different resin types, manufacturing techniques and manufacturers will react differently. The information should be used to compare against other materials only, and each user should make his own tests to determine suitability. No warranty as to this materials suitability are either expressed nor implied.

Worlds Largest Acetal Rod Made By Gehr Plastics

Worlds Largest Acetal Rod Made By Gehr Plastics

Gehr Plastics Announces Huge 24″ Diameter Acetal Rod

Gehr Plastics is an industry leader in large high performance plastic materials. They announced at this years IAPD Conference in San Diego, the new production of 24″ diameter (600mm) Natural Copolymer Acetal Rod.24" diameter Natural Acetal Copolymer Rod

24″ Diameter Is Worlds Largest Acetal Rod

Gehr Plastics has been an innovator in the large cross section plastics market. This new 24″ diameter (600mm) is the Worlds Largest Copolymer Acetal Rod. They also produce a Copolymer Acetal Sheet that is 8.0″ thick, also the Worlds Largest.

Being an industry leader is more than making the largest material, it is also about making the best quality material. Gehr Plastics is ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 approved and certified, guaranteeing a consistently high quality product. The product line that Gehr Plastics produces is also quite large. The materials include: ABS, Acetal (POM-C and POM-H), HDPE, Kynar, Noryl, Nylon, PEEK, PEI, Polypropylene, Polysulfone, PPO, PVC (Type 1, Type 2 and CPVC), PVDF and Ultem materials. All of these materials are available in a wide range of sizes, and yes, some of the largest.

Gehr Plastics Long History

Gehr Plastics has been leading the industry in innovation since 1932, and is now in the third generation of family owned and operation. From the wide range of materials to the extremes in size range, this is cutting edge performance from a family run company. They also released a web-app for picking plastic materials, Gehr Plastic Selection Tool, and it is also available for mobile devices. This comparison tool compares not only plastics, but metals as well, for a great look at the best physical properties for an application.

While quality and size are keystones to excellence, Gehr Plastics is also interested in materials that the rest of the industry has not

Large Cast Nylon Type 6 Rod

Large Cast Nylon Type 6 Rod

considered. Over the last several years, Gehr has produced some PLA materials (made from plants) and even a Clear Nylon Rod for higher temperature sight-glass applications. These are just a few of the cutting edge areas that Gehr Plastics is leading in this industry.

Industrial Plastics is Master Distributor

Gehr Plastics materials are sold through a tight network of Master Distributors throughout the United States. Industrial Plastic Supply, Inc. of Anaheim, CA is proud to be one of the top selected suppliers of these innovative materials. Contact us for any of these high quality and wide size range materials, call us @ 866-832-9315 or send us a note here.

Comparing ABS to Acetal Sheets and Rod

Comparing ABS to Acetal Sheets and Rod

Acetal Copolymer Sheet vs. ABS Sheets and Rods

Acetal Copolymer and ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Stryene) have some similar properties but are really very different materials. They similarities are: high impact strength, ease of machining with standard cutting tools and good mechanical properties. They are also both FDA compliant and are both good substitutes for brass. They also have great water absorption resistance and good electrical properties. Both materials are good for some of the same applications but certainly not all. Listed below are some of the major differences.

ABS Sheet and Rod InformationABS - Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene sheet and rod

  • ABS comes as Natural (straw) and Black color in Plate, Slab, Sheets and Rods, and thin sheet (.040″ – .250″) it is available as White or Black with a textured surface one side. It can be cut from 48″ X 96″ sheets into strip, panels or pieces.
  • ABS is formable. ABS is a great thermo-formable material while Acetal is not. Acetal is used more for machined parts such as gears and screws. ABS is great for molding and shaping parts from vacuum to heat forming. Excellent for model building and prototype projects.
  • ABS is easily bondable (similar to PVC). ABS can be bonded or welded to itself. Because Acetal is self lubricating, it is not possible for anything to stick to it unless etching is done – therefor it is not bondable.
  • ABS is a great material for painting and silk screening. While Acetal can not be painted or silk screened unless it has undergone Corona Treating (a flame surface treatment), but if treated will nice paint or screened surface.
  • ABS has better chemical resistance than Acetals. Both are attacked by acids like sulfuric, but ABS has a wider range of resistance to chemicals like aqueous acids, alkaline and alcohol. Acetal will degrade when exposed to such chemicals as chlorine and alkaline.
  • Specialty grades of ABS are available, including: Glass Filled, Static Dissipating, and Fire Retardant Grades (like Royalite – R59)

ABS Typical Properties Table

General PropertyASTM Test
Value
Specific GravityD79211.08 – 1.25
Tensile StrengthYield D638
4,100
Izod Impact – NotchedD2567.7
Hardness – RockwellD785R105
Deflection Temp @ 264psiD648177
Co. Thermal ExpansionD6965.3X10-54.6 -5.5X10-5

Acetal Copolymer and Homopolymer Sheet and Rod Information

The structure of ABS resin used in ABS Rod and ABS Plate

ABS Resin Structure

  • Acetal is the better machining plastic, considered the best machining plastic material. Because of its durability and wear resistance, Acetal is an excellent choice for producing a wide variety of parts that require high wear resistance over a wide period of time. When machining to tight and specific tolerances, Acetal is ideal.
  • Acetal has low co-efficient of friction. Due to its self lubricating properties, it is a great material for sliding and wear applications. This material provides years of maintenance free bushings and bearings.
  • Acetal sheet is produced from .062″ – over 6″ thick and sheet sizes of up to 48″ X 120″ as standard. The standard color for Acetal and Delrin is Natural (a deep milky white) and Black. Some colors are available as Medical Grade, and can be obtained in limited sizes. These sheet are available cut to: slabs, blocks, plates, slabs and blocks.
  •   Acetal (Polyoxymethylene) can be both a homopolymer and a copolymer.  The homopolymer acetal has a repeating chain of one atom while the Acetal copolymer has two atoms forming a repeating chain.  Dupont™ Delrin® is a popular acetal homopolymer brand name and the most commonly used acetal homopolymer.

Acetal – Delrin Properties Table

General PropertyASTM TestTypical Value Unfilled  Homo-PolymerTypical Value Unfilled Co-Polymer
Specific Gravity D7921.421.40
Tensile Strength YieldD6389,600 – 11,0009,000 – 10,200
Tensile ModulusD638450,000400,000
Izod Impact – NotchedD2561.21.0
Hardness – RockwellD785M94M90
Deflection Temp @ 264psiD648257220
Deflection Temp @ 66 psiD648347335
Water Absorption @ 24 hrs %0.240.25
Co. Thermal ExpansionD6966.83X10-55.4X10-5

ABS and Acetal – Similar, but very different materials

Both of these materials possess excellent qualities and have a wide range of different uses. Acetal is great for machining, while ABS is great for forming and bonding. They both can be used for machined parts and are great choices for food contact and electrical applications. These two materials are both strong and durable plastics, but one might be better than the other for a specific job. When picking the right plastic, it is important to compare plastics and their specific properties to make sure the material won’t fail and that your job will be successful.

Contact us for additional information, call us at 866-832-9315 or contact us here. Consider Industrial Plastic Supply for all your plastic needs, we want to be your go-to plastic supplier.

**Note:  Delrin® is a registered Trademark of Dupont