ACETAL (Click for Properties & Specs)
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Acetal, within the boundaries of thermoplastic chemistry, is a virtually faultless material. As an engineering thermoplastic, it is dependable across the properties spectrum. It exhibits few performance compromises. Parts machined from Acetal offer a combination of properties not available with metals and other materials of construction. Resulting benefits can include lower part costs, longer service life, improved performance and greater design latitudes.

Acetal is manufacturered from two types of resin. Delrin, which is an acetal homopolymer, and BASF Ultraform, which is an acetal copolymer formed by polymerization of two monomers.

Properties of these two products vary because of their chemical make-up. Acetal shapes are produced using state-of-the-art equipment and premium resins. Material properties are strictly maintained through carefully controlled processing and meticulously observed quality control standards. Users of Acetals are always assured of excellent materials that perform to design expectations.

General Purpose Acetal

A natural Acetal material, has a high degree of crystallinity. It is a tough, stable thermoplastic offering a unique combination of properties.

Key property advantages of general purpose acetal include a high modulus of elasticity, high strength, rigidity, and dimensional stability. The material also exhibits a high natural lubricity, a wide useful temperature range and good electricals. It also exhibits excellent resistance to moisture, gasolines, solvents and many other neutral chemicals. Other characteristics include low coefficient of friction, good bearing properties and a high resistance to repeated impacts and makes it ideal for close tolerance parts and electrical insulators requiring high structural strength at above normal temperatures, or in high moisture environments. As an engineering plastic, acetal has many applications where it out-performs metals.

Uses:bearingsgears electrical componentsfuel system partspulleys anti-friction partsand many more!

Key Propertieshigh mechanical strength high modulus of elasticityhigh natural lubricity excellent dimensional stabilitylow moisture absorption
Glass Filled Acetal (High Strength)

Glass-fiber filled Acetal combines high strength with basic acetal properties. Overall mechanical properties and dimensional stability are enhanced in this tough material. Specific property advantages include increased stiffness, better creep resistance and a higher dimensional stability. Parts designed using glass-filled acetal will exhibit high fatigue endurance, low deformation under load and good impact resistance.

Uses:gearsbearingsbushings requiring high load strengthclose tolerance, precision partsparts requiring greater stiffness and many more...

Properties:high tensile strengthimproved creep resistance greater stiffnessgreater dimensional stabilitylight weight
 

TYPICAL PROPERTIES of ACETAL (and DELRIN)

NOTE: All values are average test results from typical production material. No warranty is implied or guaranteed and testing is recommended for each application.

 ASTM  Property Tested       Test Units            Acetal        Acetal       Glass filled   Delrin
 Test                                           (Homopolymer)  (Copolymer)    Acetal
Method       
       PHYSICAL  
D638  Tensile Strength       p.s.i.                10,000        9,000        12,000         7,600
D638  Elongation (Break)     %@73°F.               75            60           --             22
D1822 Tensile Impact         ft.lbs./sq.in.        170           90           --             50
D695  Compressive Strength   p.s.i. (at yield)     18,000        16,000       16,500         13,000
D790  Flexural Strength      p.s.i.                14,300        13,000       20,000         10,500
D256  Impact Strength        ft.lbs./in@73°F       2.3           1.5          .8-1.0         1.2
      (Notched IZOD)
D785  Hardness Rockwell      R-M                   R120          M80          M79            R118
D621  Deformation Under      %(122°F, 2000         0.5           --           0.5            0.6
      Load                   p.s.i. 24 hrs.)
      THERMAL
D696  Thermal Conductivity   B.T.U./hr./sq.ft./of  2.6           --           --             --
D648  Thermal Expansion      in.                   5.8 x 10      4.7 x 10     --             5.8 x 10
D789  Heat Deflection        in./in.°F             342           320          326            334
      Melting Point          °F@ 66 p.s.i.         277           230          292            244
                             °F@ 264 p.s.i.        347           329          331            347  
      ELECTRICAL
D149  Dielectric Strength    Volts/mil             500           500          --             400
D257  Volume Resistivity     OHMS/cm.              10            --           1.2x10         3x10
D150  Dielectric Constant    
      100 HZ                                       3.7           3.8          3.8            3.1
       10 HZ                                       3.7           3.8          3.8            3.1
D150  Dissipation (Power Factor)
      100 HZ                                       --            0.0010       0.0021         --
       10 HZ                                       --            0.0010       0.0020         --
       10 HZ                 Seconds               0.005         0.0005       0.0061         0.009
      Arc Resistance                               220           --           200            183
      Chemical
D543  Chemical Resistance
      @ 73°F                 Weak Acids            Resistant     Resistant    Resistant      Resistant
                                                   to Some       to Some      to Some        to Some
                             Strong Acids          Attacked      Attacked     Attacked       Attacked
                             Weak Alkalies         Resistant     Resistant    Resistant      Resistant
                                                   to Some       to Some      to Some        to Some
                             Strong Alkalies       Attacked      Attacked     Attacked       Attacked
      Miscellaneous
D792  Specific Gravity       Grams/C.C.            1.42          1.41         1.58           1.54
D570  Water Absorption       %(24 hrs.)            0.25          0.22         0.25           0.20
D635  Burning Rate                                 Slow          Slow         Slow           Slow

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