Acetal copolymer and Acetal homopolymer

Acetal, also known as polyacetal, polyoxymethylene (POM), is a high performance engineering polymer. Acetal is available as a homopolymer (POM-H) or copolymer (POM-C).

Acetal provides high strength and stiffness coupled with good dimensional stability and is readily machined. Acetal is a semi-crystalline polymer with a low coefficient of friction and resistance to wear and low moisture absorption.

The higher crystallinity of homopolymers means they have a slightly higher density, hardness and strength. Copolymers, however, have higher impact strength, higher abrasion resistance as well as higher thermal and chemical resistance.

Applications

Gears, cams, bearings, rollers, sprockets, guide and wear profiles, applications in food, pharmaceutical, chemical and oil industries.

Physical Properties and characteristics

  • Exceptionally high mechanical strength and rigidity
  • Excellent dimensional stability
  • High impact resistance
  • Wide usable temperature range (-50°C to +90°C in air)
  • Outstanding long-term fatigue endurance
  • Low level of moisture absorption
  • Natural lubricity
  • Good electrical insulation characteristics

Acetal copolymer

A semi-crystalline thermoplastic offering high strength, stiffness and toughness. Acetal copolymer is resistant to hot water, hydrocarbons and solvents, and it possesses good bearing and wear properties. It is available in natural, black and coloured grades. Commonly used as gears, bushes, rollers, wear and guide strips and other applications requiring a combination of strength, low moisture absorption, chemical resistance and dimensional stability.

Acetal copolymer trade names: Celcon, Hostaform, Kepital, Lucel, Schulaform, Tecaform AH, Ultraform, Ertacetal C

Acetal copolymers have the following advantages over homopolymer:

  • Improved dimensional stability due to lower level of crystallinity.
  • Better chemical resistance in high pH solutions.
  • Lower centreline porosity than homopolymer in extruded shapes.

Forms: Extruded rod and sheet

TECAFORM AH AM natural POM-C
TECAFORM AH natural, black, blue POM-C
TECAFORM AH ELS black POM-C
TECAFORM AH GF25 natural POM-C
TECAFORM AH ID blue, grey POM-C
TECAFORM AH LA blue POM-C
TECAFORM AH MT black, blue, brown, grey, red, rust red, yellow, POM-C
TECAFORM AH SD natural POM-C
TECAFORM AH TF10 blue POM-C
Ertacetal C, Natural(white), Black, Yellow, Orange, Red, Blue, Green, Grey, Brown and Black POM-C
Railko PV80 black POM-C
POM ESd (Semitron 225) beige POM-C

MSDS and product data sheets available on request

 

Acetal homopolymer

Acetal homopolymer is often referred to by DuPont’s trade name Delrin®.

Acetal homopolymer such as Delrin has a uniform backbone with a larger crystalline block structure than acetal copolymers providing better chemical bonding. As a result DuPont claim that Delrin® is the stiffest and strongest unreinforced technical engineering polymer available.

Acetal homopolymer trade names: Delrin, Ramtal, Tecaform AD, Ertacetal H

Forms: Extruded rod and sheet

TECAFORM AD AF natural POM-H
TECAFORM AD natural, black POM-H
Ertacetal H, Natural, Black POM-H
Ertacetal H-TF Brown POM-H

MSDS and product data sheets available on request