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Description
This natural acetal plastic rod range offers a strong, rigid engineering plastic in a wide choice of diameters and lengths, ideal for precision-machined components. Combining excellent dimensional stability with low friction and good wear resistance, these rods are a reliable alternative to metals in many demanding applications.
Available from 5mm up to larger diameters (including 75mm) and in standard lengths from 500mm through to 3000mm, natural acetal rod is widely used in mechanical, automotive, food-processing and general industrial environments. Its machinability, toughness and moisture resistance make it suitable for bushings, gears, rollers, spacers and a variety of custom turned or milled parts.
Product Features
- Material: Natural acetal (POM) engineering plastic for strength, rigidity and excellent machinability.
- Diameter options: From 5mm up to 75mm outer diameter to suit small precision parts through to heavy-duty components.
- Length options: Common stock lengths include 500mm, 1000mm, 1500mm and 3000mm, with many intermediate size combinations available.
- Precision form: Supplied as solid, straight rods suitable for turning, milling, drilling and tapping on standard machine tools.
- Low-friction surface: Naturally smooth, low-wear material ideal for sliding, bearing and load-bearing applications.
- Neutral natural colour: Unfilled, natural off-white finish suitable where appearance or contamination visibility is important.
- Wide size range: Over 90 size variants, including Length: 500mm x Diameter: 5mm, Length: 1000mm x Diameter: 5mm, Length: 1500mm x Diameter: 5mm and Length: 3000mm x Diameter: 5mm, plus many larger diameters and lengths.
Key Features and Benefits
- Excellent machinability allows accurate, clean cutting on lathes and milling machines, helping reduce production time and tooling wear.
- High stiffness and mechanical strength provide dependable performance in structural and load-bearing components.
- Low moisture absorption and good dimensional stability help maintain tight tolerances in changing environmental conditions.
- Good wear and abrasion resistance extend service life in moving parts such as gears, rollers and bearings.
- Low coefficient of friction supports smooth, quiet operation in sliding and rotating assemblies without excessive lubrication.
- Good chemical resistance to many oils, greases and fuels makes it suitable for a wide range of industrial environments.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Material | Natural acetal (polyoxymethylene, POM) engineering plastic |
| Available diameters | From 5mm up to 75mm (outer diameter), including multiple intermediate sizes |
| Available lengths | Typically 500mm, 1000mm, 1500mm and 3000mm, with over 90 diameter/length combinations |
| Colour | Natural (off-white) solid rod |
| Typical service temperature | Approximately -40°C to +100°C (application dependent) |
| Form | Solid, extruded round rod suitable for machining |
Applications and Ideal Uses
Natural acetal rod is suited to a wide range of precision engineering and industrial applications where strength, wear resistance and stability are required.
- Machined components such as bushings, spacers, rollers and custom turned parts.
- Gears, bearings and sliding elements in mechanical and automation equipment.
- Fixtures, jigs and guides in manufacturing and assembly lines.
- Components in automotive, agricultural and plant machinery systems.
- Food-processing and packaging equipment parts where a natural, easily cleaned plastic is preferred.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can natural acetal rod be machined using standard metalworking tools?
Yes, natural acetal rod machines very well with standard metalworking tools such as lathes, mills and drills. Sharp tooling and appropriate cutting speeds will help achieve a smooth finish and accurate dimensions. Coolant or air blast can be used to help remove swarf and manage heat.
Is natural acetal rod suitable for outdoor or wet environments?
Natural acetal has low moisture absorption and good dimensional stability, so it generally performs well in damp or intermittent wet environments. For prolonged outdoor exposure, you should consider the specific conditions, as acetal is not intended for continuous UV exposure without additional protection.
How do I choose the correct diameter and length of acetal rod for my project?
Select a diameter that provides sufficient strength for the load and allows enough material for machining to final size. Choose a length that accommodates your component layout plus allowance for workholding and trimming. If in doubt, opting for a slightly larger diameter and longer length provides machining flexibility and reduces the risk of waste.