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Description
Acetal copolymer (POM-C) is a high-strength, semi-crystalline engineering plastic valued for its stiffness, dimensional stability and very low coefficient of friction. Compared with acetal homopolymer, the copolymer grade offers greater resistance to hydrolysis, hot water and thermal-oxidative degradation, making it a dependable choice for precision parts that must hold tight tolerances over years of continuous use.
Key Properties
- Tensile strength: approx. 60 MPa
- Density: approx. 1.41 g/cm3
- Continuous service temperature: up to approx. 100 degrees C
- Low moisture absorption, under 0.5% at saturation
- Low coefficient of friction with excellent wear resistance, dry or wet
- Good resistance to fuels, solvents and weak acids/alkalis
- Machines to a smooth, low-burr finish on CNC, mill and lathe equipment
Specifications
- Material: Acetal Copolymer (POM-C), extruded sheet
- Thickness options: 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 16mm, 20mm, 25mm, 30mm, 40mm, 50mm
- Standard sheet sizes: 1000 x 610mm and 3000 x 610mm
- Colours: White (natural) and Black
- Surface finish: smooth machined finish both sides
Machining and Fabrication Guidance
- Turns, mills, drills and taps cleanly with standard metalworking tooling
- Low internal stress reduces warping, even on thin-walled or intricate parts
- Sharp tooling and adequate coolant/air flow are recommended to avoid melting at the cut edge
- Can be bonded with two-part epoxy after suitable surface preparation; mechanical fixing is recommended for load-bearing joints
Typical Applications
- Precision gears, cams, sprockets and rollers
- Bearings, bushes and low-friction slide guides
- Pump housings, valve components and impellers used in wet or washdown environments
- Food and beverage processing equipment components
- Jigs, fixtures, wear strips and machine guarding
Why Buy This Sheet From Us
- Held in depth as full sheets, with cut-to-size options available for one-off prototypes through to production runs
- Full technical data sheet available to download above for design and material approval purposes
- UK-based technical support by phone for help with material selection, tolerances and machining advice
FAQ
Q: What thicknesses are available?
A: This sheet is available in 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 16mm, 20mm, 25mm, 30mm, 40mm and 50mm thicknesses, in both standard sheet sizes.
Q: What is the difference between acetal copolymer and homopolymer?
A: Copolymer acetal offers improved resistance to hot water, hydrolysis and thermal-oxidative degradation, and more consistent properties through the sheet thickness, making it the preferred grade for demanding or wet-environment applications.
Q: Is this material suitable for food contact use?
A: Please check the technical data sheet above for the specific grade certification, or contact our team to confirm food-contact compliance for your application.
Q: Is acetal suitable for outdoor or UV-exposed applications?
A: The black grade offers improved UV stability compared with white/natural acetal. For prolonged outdoor exposure, please speak to our team about the best grade for your project.
Q: Can this sheet be cut to a custom size?
A: Yes, please contact our team on 01744 520110 to discuss custom cut sizes and machining services for this material.
Q: How should acetal sheet be stored?
A: Store flat, away from direct sunlight and heat sources, to maintain dimensional stability prior to machining.