Acetal

DELRIN®, CELCON®, ULTRA FORM®

Acetal, a crystalline thermoplastic polymer with a high melting point, offers many engineering advantages. Its unique combination of physical properties makes many industrial and consumer applications possible which require qualities other thermoplastics cannot provide.

A high modulus of elasticity coupled with great strength, stiffness, and abrasion resistance are among the significant property advantages of acetal shapes. They are also characterized by a low coefficient of friction, good bearing characteristics, good impact resistance and relatively low moisture absorption.

Copolymer acetals generally have lower mechanical and thermal properties than homopolymer acetals. If the physical properties are not the key criteria in choosing an acetal, then the copolymer has an advantage over Delrin® in the fact that it does not exhibit "Center line porosity."

Because acetal absorbs only minimal amounts of moisture, its physical properties remain constant in a variety of environments. In high moisture situations, including submerged applications, acetal bearings out perform nylon 4 to 1.

Acetal is ideally suited for mechanical parts and electrical insulators which require exceptional strength at above-normal temperature or moisture levels. Low moisture absorption gives excellent dimensional stability to close-tolerance fabricated parts. Most acetal formulations are FDA and USDA compliant for applications involving contact with food.

Typical Applications

• Bearings
• Gears
• Electrical components
• Bushings
• Valve Seats
• Thrust washers
• Rollers
• Insulators
• Sleeves

Key Benefits

• No centerline porosity
• High modulus of elasticity
• High strength, stiffness
• Low coefficient of friction
• Good abrasion and impact resistance
• Low moisture absorption
• Excellent machinability
• FDA and USDA compliant

Availabilities

Rod
Diameter: 1/32" to 6"
Length:

To 2 3/4" diameter-8 ft. nominal

Over 2 3/4" diameter-4 ft. nominal

Hex Rod
1/16" increments from 3/16" to 5/8" plus 3/4", 7/8", 1"
Length: 6-8 ft. nominal

Square Rod
1/8" increments from 1/4" to 1" plus 5/16", 7/16"
Length: 6-8 ft. nominal

Plate
Thickness: 1/32" to 3"
Width: 24"
Length: 48" standard, available to 144"

Rectangular Bar
Thickness: 1/16" to 3"
Width: 1" to 10"

Bushings Stock
Nominal O.D.: 1/4" increments from 1/2" to 3" plus 5/8", 7/8"
Nominal I.D.: 1/4" increments from 1/2" to 1 1/2" plus 3/8", 5/8"

Tubular Bar
O.D.: 2" to 14"
I.D.: 1" to 11"
Standard length: 13"

Strip
Thickness: .010" to .125"
Width: 1/4" to 24"

Acetron® NS is a patented acetal-based compound containing special solid lubricants which help provide superior performance in bearing and wear applications. These lubricants are uniformly dispersed in the base acetal, providing a premium, internally-lubricated compound with high Pressure Velocity (PV) capabilities, a low coefficient of friction, and an extremely good "k" factor.

The additive system which delivers the lubrication is a patented composite. With it, the solid lubricants-firmly locked in the acetal matrix are always exposed to the bearing surface. It is this constant source of lubrication which enables Acetron® NS acetal to outperform other bearing materials. It also provides lubrication during break-in of bearings and for enhance wear resistance.

Acetron® is a registered trademark of the Polymer Corporation. Delrin® is a registered trademark of the E.I. duPont Co.