PLASTIC MATERIALS
A wide range of plastics for CNC machining, with applications in multiple industries: ABS, Nylon, Polycarbonate, POM-Delrin, PEEK, PTFE-Teflon, HDPE, Polypropylene, PMMA and PVC.ABS
ABS is a low-cost engineering plastic. It is one of the most common thermoplastic materials offering good mechanical properties, excellent impact strength, high heat resistance and good machinability.
ABS has low density, making it ideal for lightweight applications. CNC machined ABS parts are often used as prototypes prior to mass-production with injection molding.
Common applications: housings for power tools, telephones, computers and medical equipment, ear defenders and other safety equipment, children's toys and automotive and motorcycle parts (body panels).
Cost: low.
Material color: black and white.
Surface finish: as machined or smooth. Can also be painted.
ABS
ABS is a low-cost engineering plastic. It is one of the most common thermoplastic materials offering good mechanical properties, excellent impact strength, high heat resistance and good machinability.
ABS has low density, making it ideal for lightweight applications. CNC machined ABS parts are often used as prototypes prior to mass-production with injection molding.
Common applications: housings for power tools, telephones, computers and medical equipment, ear defenders and other safety equipment, children's toys and automotive and motorcycle parts (body panels).
Cost: low.
Material color: black and white.
Surface finish: as machined or smooth. Can also be painted.
Nylon (Polyamide PA)
Nylon, also known as polyamide (PA), is a thermoplastic that is self-lubricating, has a low coefficient of friction, and has good resistance to abrasion and chemicals. It is susceptible to water and moisture absorption though. Characterized by its high toughness and strength, it provides parts with good damping as well as high shock resistance.
There is also a glass-reinforced nylon that has higher tensile strength, rigidity and dimensional stability than un-reinforced nylon. Very tough.
Common applications: is used in bushes, bearings, gears, sliders, electrical equipment housing, furniture parts (mechanisms and feet), screws and spacers for panel mounted circuit boards, sport equipment and general purpose wear and heat resistance applications.
Cost: moderate.
Colors: neutral (milky-white) and black.
Surface finish: as machined or smooth.
Nylon (Polyamide PA)
Nylon, also known as polyamide (PA), is a thermoplastic that is self-lubricating, has a low coefficient of friction, and has good resistance to abrasion and chemicals. It is susceptible to water and moisture absorption though. Characterized by its high toughness and strength, it provides parts with good damping as well as high shock resistance.
There is also a glass-reinforced nylon that has higher tensile strength, rigidity and dimensional stability than un-reinforced nylon. Very tough.
Common applications: is used in bushes, bearings, gears, sliders, electrical equipment housing, furniture parts (mechanisms and feet), screws and spacers for panel mounted circuit boards, sport equipment and general purpose wear and heat resistance applications.
Cost: moderate.
Colors: neutral (milky-white) and black.
Surface finish: as machined or smooth.
PC (Polycarbonate)
Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic with high toughness, very high impact strength (better than ABS) and can be optically transparent. Polycarbonate is also less prone to melting than ABS, and somewhat flame retardant/self-extinguishing. It is the toughest clear plastic. However this also means that it is also prone to degradation by UV light.
Common applications: it is a suitable and safe alternative to glass. Applications include lighting diffusers (indoor, outdoor and automotive), police riot shields and safety shields, electrical equipment housings, beakers, beer glasses and babies bottles and motorcycle helmets.
Cost: moderate.
Colors: black, white and clear.
Surface finish: as machined or smooth.
PC (Polycarbonate)
Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic with high toughness, very high impact strength (better than ABS) and can be optically transparent. Polycarbonate is also less prone to melting than ABS, and somewhat flame retardant/self-extinguishing. It is the toughest clear plastic. However this also means that it is also prone to degradation by UV light.
Common applications: it is a suitable and safe alternative to glass. Applications include lighting diffusers (indoor, outdoor and automotive), police riot shields and safety shields, electrical equipment housings, beakers, beer glasses and babies bottles and motorcycle helmets.
Cost: moderate.
Colors: black, white and clear.
Surface finish: as machined or smooth.
POM (Acetal-Delrin)
POM is commonly known with the commercial name Delrin, and it is a thermoplastic with the highest machinability among plastics. It is often the best choice when CNC machining plastic parts that require low friction,high stiffness, excellent dimensional stability at elevated temperatures (can operate close to its melting point) and very low water absorption. It is resistant to many chemicals, fuels and oils. It is tough, even at low temperatures, and has high fatigue endurance, so it is suitable for spring and snap fits.
There is also a Glass-filled Delrin.
Common applications: it is important in the appliance, hardware and automotive industries where it has replaced metal parts. Uses include speakers grilles, sport goods, seatbelt systems and automotive fuel systems.
Cost: moderate to high.
Colors: black and white.
Surface finish: as machined or smooth.
POM (Acetal-Delrin)
POM is commonly known with the commercial name Delrin, and it is a thermoplastic with the highest machinability among plastics. It is often the best choice when CNC machining plastic parts that require low friction,high stiffness, excellent dimensional stability at elevated temperatures (can operate close to its melting point) and very low water absorption. It is resistant to many chemicals, fuels and oils. It is tough, even at low temperatures, and has high fatigue endurance, so it is suitable for spring and snap fits.
There is also a Glass-filled Delrin.
Common applications: it is important in the appliance, hardware and automotive industries where it has replaced metal parts. Uses include speakers grilles, sport goods, seatbelt systems and automotive fuel systems.
Cost: moderate to high.
Colors: black and white.
Surface finish: as machined or smooth.
PEEK
PEEK (PolyEtherEtherKetone) is used for its hardness, dimensional stability and wide working temperature range of -20ºC to 250ºC. It is non-flammable, electrically insulating and hard, with a low friction coefficient. It is resistant to many acids and chemicals.It has relatively low out-gassing values. It offers hydrolysis resistance to steam, water, and sea water.PEEK is often used to replace metal parts due to its high strength-to-weight ratio.
There is also a 30% Glass-filled PEEK.
Common applications: aerospace, medical equipment and electronic products.
Cost: high.
Colors: natural (cream coloured) and black.
Surface finish: as machined or smooth.
PEEK
PEEK (PolyEtherEtherKetone) is used for its hardness, dimensional stability and wide working temperature range of -20ºC to 250ºC. It is non-flammable, electrically insulating and hard, with a low friction coefficient. It is resistant to many acids and chemicals.It has relatively low out-gassing values. It offers hydrolysis resistance to steam, water, and sea water.PEEK is often used to replace metal parts due to its high strength-to-weight ratio.
There is also a 30% Glass-filled PEEK.
Common applications: aerospace, medical equipment and electronic products.
Cost: high.
Colors: natural (cream coloured) and black.
Surface finish: as machined or smooth.
PTFE (Teflon)
PTFE is commonly known as Teflon has superior resistance to virtually all chemicals and an extremely low friction coefficient. The low friction coefficient acts like a lubricant and stops other materials sticking to them. It has low out-gassing so it can be used inside of vacuum systems.
They are non-flammable, resistant to stress cracking, fatigue and ultraviolet light. They operate effectively at a wide temperature range from -250ºC to 250ºC. It is an outstanding electrical insulator.
Common applications: it is a good material for low-friction applications such as bearings. It is also used for automotive, aerospace and laboratory applications.
Cost: high.
Colors: black and white.
Surface finish: as machined or smooth.
PTFE (Teflon)
PTFE is commonly known as Teflon has superior resistance to virtually all chemicals and an extremely low friction coefficient. The low friction coefficient acts like a lubricant and stops other materials sticking to them. It has low out-gassing so it can be used inside of vacuum systems.
They are non-flammable, resistant to stress cracking, fatigue and ultraviolet light. They operate effectively at a wide temperature range from -250ºC to 250ºC. It is an outstanding electrical insulator.
Common applications: it is a good material for low-friction applications such as bearings. It is also used for automotive, aerospace and laboratory applications.
Cost: high.
Colors: black and white.
Surface finish: as machined or smooth.
HDPE (HD Polyethylene)
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a slippery plastic with a low coefficient of friction, it is an excellent electrical insulator as well as being chemically-resistant and stands out for their lack of moisture absorption. It is also compatible for food contact.
HDPE is a lightweight thermoplastic, suitable for outdoor use (good weather resistance) and piping. Like ABS, it is often used to create prototypes before Injection Molding.
Common applications: is often machined into plugs and seals. Also used for food cutting plates, sliding plates and guides.
Cost: low.
Colors: black and white.
Surface finish: as machined or smooth.
HDPE (HD Polyethylene)
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a slippery plastic with a low coefficient of friction, it is an excellent electrical insulator as well as being chemically-resistant and stands out for their lack of moisture absorption. It is also compatible for food contact.
HDPE is a lightweight thermoplastic, suitable for outdoor use (good weather resistance) and piping. Like ABS, it is often used to create prototypes before Injection Molding.
Common applications: is often machined into plugs and seals. Also used for food cutting plates, sliding plates and guides.
Cost: low.
Colors: black and white.
Surface finish: as machined or smooth.
PP (Polypropylene)
Polypropylene has exceptional fatigue resistance, so is ideal for integral hinges and snap fits. It has a waxy feel, due to low surface energy, which means it is difficult to coat with adhesives and paints. It resists most solvents and chemicals, which makes it a wonderful material to manufacture laboratory equipment and containers for a variety of applications. Food-safe grades available.
There is also a 30% Glass-filled PP.
Common applications: It is used for food packaging, drinking cups, caps and enclosures. Other uses include furniture, lightning and water pipes, gaskets, sealing valve and pump parts.
Cost: low.
Colors: black and white.
Surface finish: as machined or smooth. Cannot be painted.
PP (Polypropylene)
Polypropylene has exceptional fatigue resistance, so is ideal for integral hinges and snap fits. It has a waxy feel, due to low surface energy, which means it is difficult to coat with adhesives and paints. It resists most solvents and chemicals, which makes it a wonderful material to manufacture laboratory equipment and containers for a variety of applications. Food-safe grades available.
There is also a 30% Glass-filled PP.
Common applications: It is used for food packaging, drinking cups, caps and enclosures. Other uses include furniture, lightning and water pipes, gaskets, sealing valve and pump parts.
Cost: low.
Colors: black and white.
Surface finish: as machined or smooth. Cannot be painted.
PMMA (Acrylic)
Acrylic (poly methyl methacrylate) is a scratch-resistant plastic, available opaque or optically clear that can be used as a substitute for glass.
It is a hard material and it can be polished to a high gloss finish. It can be somewhat brittle in thin walled areas, so it is not recommended for delicate or complex geometries. Ity is ideal for laser engraving.
Common applications: Is used in furniture, signage, light diffusers, control panels, screens, lenses, optical applications and architectural cladding.
Cost: moderate
Colors: black, white and semitransparent
Surface finish: as machined, smooth or polished.
PMMA (Acrylic)
Acrylic (poly methyl methacrylate) is a scratch-resistant plastic, available opaque or optically clear that can be used as a substitute for glass.
It is a hard material and it can be polished to a high gloss finish. It can be somewhat brittle in thin walled areas, so it is not recommended for delicate or complex geometries. Ity is ideal for laser engraving.
Common applications: Is used in furniture, signage, light diffusers, control panels, screens, lenses, optical applications and architectural cladding.
Cost: moderate
Colors: black, white and semitransparent
Surface finish: as machined, smooth or polished.
PVC
PVC is a long lasting material that has excellent chemical and weather resistance and good toughness. It is a widely used thermoplastic. In general, PVC is light, water resistant, offers a long life cycle and does not require much maintenance.
Common applications: medical packaging, tubing, hoses and electrical insulating products.
Cost: low.
Colors: white and gray.
Surface finish: as machined or smooth.
PVC
PVC is a long lasting material that has excellent chemical and weather resistance and good toughness. It is a widely used thermoplastic. In general, PVC is light, water resistant, offers a long life cycle and does not require much maintenance.
Common applications: medical packaging, tubing, hoses and electrical insulating products.
Cost: low.
Colors: white and gray.
Surface finish: as machined or smooth.