Polyoxymethylene (POM), also known as acetal or polyacetal, is a high-performance engineering thermoplastic known for its excellent mechanical properties, stiffness, low friction, and chemical resistance. Here is a detailed description covering its characteristics, composition, properties, and common applications:
Composition:
POM is a crystalline thermoplastic polymer derived from formaldehyde. Its molecular structure consists mainly of repeating -CH2O- units.
Characteristics:
High Mechanical Strength: Offers excellent tensile strength, stiffness, and fatigue resistance, making it suitable for applications requiring high mechanical performance.
Low Friction and Wear Resistance: Exhibits low friction characteristics, enabling it to work as a self-lubricating material. It also has excellent wear resistance.
Dimensional Stability: Shows good dimensional stability, maintaining its shape and mechanical properties over a wide temperature range.
Chemical Resistance: Resistant to many chemicals, solvents, oils, and fuels.
Low Moisture Absorption: Has low water absorption properties, which helps maintain its mechanical and dimensional stability.
Good Electrical Properties: Displays good electrical insulating properties, making it suitable for electrical and electronic applications.
Types of POM:
There are two primary types of POM:
Homopolymer POM (Delrin): Offers higher strength and stiffness but has lower impact strength and resistance to thermal oxidation.
Copolymer POM: Provides better thermal stability and chemical resistance compared to homopolymer POM, along with good impact strength.
Common Applications:
POM is widely used across various industries due to its favorable properties:
Engineering Components: Gears, bearings, bushings, rollers, and other precision parts in machinery and automotive industries due to its excellent wear resistance and low friction.
Medical Devices: Surgical instruments, components for drug delivery systems, and various medical equipment due to its biocompatibility and sterilizability.
Consumer Goods: Zipper components, fasteners, handles, and toys for its toughness, dimensional stability, and resistance to wear.
Electrical Components: Insulating components, connectors, and switches due to its electrical properties and resistance to creep.
Summary:
POM (Polyoxymethylene) is a versatile engineering thermoplastic known for its excellent mechanical properties, low friction, chemical resistance, and dimensional stability. Its widespread use in various industries stems from its ability to withstand demanding mechanical conditions while maintaining stability, making it a preferred choice for many applications requiring high-performance polymers.
Polyoxymethylene (POM), also known as acetal or polyacetal, is a high-performance engineering thermoplastic known for its excellent mechanical properties, stiffness, low friction, and chemical resistance. Here is a detailed description covering its characteristics, composition, properties, and common applications:
Composition:
POM is a crystalline thermoplastic polymer derived from formaldehyde. Its molecular structure consists mainly of repeating -CH2O- units.
Characteristics:
High Mechanical Strength: Offers excellent tensile strength, stiffness, and fatigue resistance, making it suitable for applications requiring high mechanical performance.
Low Friction and Wear Resistance: Exhibits low friction characteristics, enabling it to work as a self-lubricating material. It also has excellent wear resistance.
Dimensional Stability: Shows good dimensional stability, maintaining its shape and mechanical properties over a wide temperature range.
Chemical Resistance: Resistant to many chemicals, solvents, oils, and fuels.
Low Moisture Absorption: Has low water absorption properties, which helps maintain its mechanical and dimensional stability.
Good Electrical Properties: Displays good electrical insulating properties, making it suitable for electrical and electronic applications.
Types of POM:
There are two primary types of POM:
Homopolymer POM (Delrin): Offers higher strength and stiffness but has lower impact strength and resistance to thermal oxidation.
Copolymer POM: Provides better thermal stability and chemical resistance compared to homopolymer POM, along with good impact strength.
Common Applications:
POM is widely used across various industries due to its favorable properties:
Engineering Components: Gears, bearings, bushings, rollers, and other precision parts in machinery and automotive industries due to its excellent wear resistance and low friction.
Medical Devices: Surgical instruments, components for drug delivery systems, and various medical equipment due to its biocompatibility and sterilizability.
Consumer Goods: Zipper components, fasteners, handles, and toys for its toughness, dimensional stability, and resistance to wear.
Electrical Components: Insulating components, connectors, and switches due to its electrical properties and resistance to creep.
Summary:
POM (Polyoxymethylene) is a versatile engineering thermoplastic known for its excellent mechanical properties, low friction, chemical resistance, and dimensional stability. Its widespread use in various industries stems from its ability to withstand demanding mechanical conditions while maintaining stability, making it a preferred choice for many applications requiring high-performance polymers.
