Commonly used plastic types for precision processing

POM-Chinese product name polyoxymethylene

POM, also known as polyoxymethylene or Delrin, is one of the easiest and most commonly used plastic materials for precision machining. Although it is easier to process than ABS, high-strength engineering plastics are slightly more expensive as raw materials, which affects its overall processing cost.

POM is known for its excellent wear resistance, low friction, strength and dimensional stability. These material properties have led to POM being used in a variety of end-use plastic machining applications, such as the production of gear bearings, automotive parts, consumer electronics, piping components, and more.

ABS

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene or ABS is a widely used machined plastic that meets the needs of many industries due to its material properties and affordable cost. ABS is one of the best processable plastics with low raw material costs. Both factors have led to the material being used in many prototyping applications as well as some end-use applications.

In terms of performance, ABS has excellent impact resistance, as well as good temperature and chemical resistance. The high machinability of ABS results in parts with high-quality surface finishes. Machined ABS parts can also undergo many post-processing treatments, including surface metallization, electroplating, bonding, and more.

PMMA-Chinese name acrylic

PMMA, also known as acrylic, is a clear, precision-machined plastic material with good strength and stiffness properties. This plastic has good processability and low raw material costs, making it an ideal choice for many manufacturers.

As one of the most commonly used plastics, you can see PMMA almost everywhere. Due to its transparency, mechanics often use it as a replacement for glass in the fields of architecture, interior design, and chemistry. Machinists use this weather-resistant material when making billboards and other signage.

PA-Chinese product name nylon

PA, also known as nylon, is a widely used synthetic polymer with good mechanical strength, shock absorption and wear resistance. While the cost of PA raw materials is relatively low, the material’s moderate machining rates can affect the cost of some projects, especially those requiring tight tolerances and fine features.

It is widely used in the production of various structural components and as a cheaper alternative to metal components. The material’s good electrical insulation and chemical resistance also make it attractive to plastics processing manufacturers in many industries.

PC-Chinese product name polycarbonate

PC or polycarbonate is a clear thermoplastic material with high strength and stiffness. PC’s most popular material property is often its excellent impact resistance. PC also has good machinability – meaning it is relatively inexpensive to machine the material. However, the cost of raw PC (in rod or plate form) is the highest among precision machined plastics.

In terms of applications, PC is widely used in plastic processing in the automotive industry. They use it in the production of various automotive parts such as dashboards, pumps and valves. Among other areas, they use this plastic material to produce protective gear, internal mechanical parts, medical equipment, and more.

Cost of plastic raw materials

The cost of precision machining plastic is as important as any of the above factors. This is because the more expensive the plastic, the higher the cost of production. This also affects the cost of finished parts, resulting in low sales of finished parts. Therefore, you should always consider your production budget before choosing any material.

Temperature resistance and strength of plastics

There are several ways engineers measure the strength of plastic materials. They include wear resistance, tensile strength and material hardness. Each of these terms has a different meaning in plastic materials. Determining which part is right for you will help select the best materials for your CNC plastic machining.