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Acetal (PolyOxy-Methylene) Specifications

GENERAL PROPERTIES
Acetal is the common name for a family of thermoplastics with the chemical name "PolyOxy-Methylene". Acetal is available in a general purpose copolymer grade, a homopolymer version (Delrin ®), and several filled Delrin ® grades. Acetal provides high strength and stiffness, enhanced dimensional stability, and is easy to machine. As a semi-crystalline material, acetal is characterized by a low coefficient of friction and good wear properties.

FEATURES
• High strength, stiffness, dimensional stability • Very low moisture absorption • Good wear and abrasion resistance • Wide range chemical resistance (including many solvents)

ACETAL GRADES
ACETAL COPOLYMER (unfilled)
The copolymer grade offers excellent performance at a slightly lower cost than Delrin ®. Acetal copolymer may exhibit center line porosity, but porosity-free material is available. Certain grades are FDA, USDA, NSF, Canada AG and 3-A Dairy compliant. Low stress levels and high strength assure flatness and dimensional stability up to a maximum continuous service temperature of 180°F (80°C). Acetal copolymers are available in a wide variety of colors (including Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Violet, Black, White & Natural.)

DELRIN ® (unfilled)
Delrin ® acetal homopolymer offers slightly higher mechanical properties than acetal copolymer, but may contain a low density center (also known as "center line porosity") especially in large cross-sections. The homopolymer also gives slightly less chemical resistance than copolymer acetal. For example, Delrin ® is ideal for small diameter, thin-walled bushings that benefit from the additional strength and rigidity of homopolymer acetal. Delrin ® is available in natural and black colors.

DELRIN ® AF (PTFE-filled)
This material is manufactured from Delrin ® homopolymer resin which has been uniformly filled with a dispersion of PTFE (Teflon ®) fibers. Delrin ® AF is a unique thermoplastic material for use in moving parts in which low friction and long wear life are important. It retains 90% of the mechanical strength of unfilled acetal homopolymer, while offering very low friction and almost no "slip-stick" behavior. Delrin ® AF is dark brown in color.

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TYPICAL PROPERTIES of ACETALS

ASTM or UL test Property Acetal
Copolymer
Delrin ®
Homopolymer
Delrin ® AF
PTFE-filled
PHYSICAL
D792 Density (lb/in³)
(g/cm³)
0.051
1.41
0.051
1.41
0.054
1.50
D570 Water Absorption, 24 hrs (%) 0.2 0.2 0.2
MECHANICAL
D638 Tensile Strength (psi) 9,500 11,000 8,000
D638 Tensile Modulus (psi) 400,000 450,000 435,000
D638 Tensile Elongation at Break (%) 30 30 15
D790 Flexural Strength (psi) 12,000 13,000 12,000
D790 Flexural Modulus (psi) 400,000 450,000 435,000
D695 Compressive Strength (psi) 15,000 16,000 16,000
D695 Compressive Modulus (psi) 400,000 450,000 350,000
D785 Hardness, Rockwell M88 / R120 M89 / R122 M85 / R115
D256 IZOD Impact Notched (ft-lb/in) 1.0 1.0 0.7
THERMAL
D696 Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion
(x 10-5 in./in./°F)
5.40 4.70 5.00
D648 Heat Deflection Temp (°F / °C)
at 264 psi

220 / 104

250 / 121

244 / 118
D3418 Melting Point Temp (°F / °C) 335 / 168 347 / 175 347 / 175
- Max Operating Temp (°F / °C) 180 / 82 180 / 82 180 / 82
C177 Thermal Conductivity
(BTU-in/ft²-hr-°F)
(x 10-4 cal/cm-sec-°C)

1.6
5.5

2.5
8.6

-
UL94 Flammability Rating HB HB HB
ELECTRICAL
D149 Dielectric Strength (V/mil) short time, 1/8" thick 420 450 400
D150 Dielectric Constant at 1 MHz 3.8 3.7 3.1
D150 Dissipation Factor at 1 MHz 0.005 0.005 0.010
D257 Volume Resistivity (ohm-cm) at 50% RH 1015 1015 3.0 x 1016

NOTE: The information contained herein are typical values intended for reference and comparison purposes only. They should NOT be used as a basis for design specifications or quality control. Contact us for manufacturers' complete material property datasheets.
All values at 73°F (23°C) unless otherwise noted.
DELRIN and TEFLON are registered trademarks of DuPont
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