{"id":27766,"date":"2021-09-01T07:45:16","date_gmt":"2021-09-01T11:45:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/calepin.co\/?p=27766"},"modified":"2021-09-01T07:45:16","modified_gmt":"2021-09-01T11:45:16","slug":"what-is-delrin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/calepin.co\/?p=27766","title":{"rendered":"What Is Delrin Plastic? | Finding the Best Materials in Plastic Machining"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Delrin: Is It Just Another Plastic or Something More?<\/h2><\/div>

\"AIf you do not work in the plastic manufacturing industry, you may not have even heard of Delrin. If you do, you are probably tired of keeping track of all the different plastic materials out there. Regardless, Delrin has been a reliable material in the production of countless different products and components since 1960.<\/p>\n

But what exactly is Delrin material? What does it bring to the table? And how does it differ from other plastic materials?<\/p>\n

If you do not know the answers to these questions, do not worry. Even the most established plastic fabrication companies<\/a> struggle to choose materials for their projects. This article covers some of the basics around Delrin, so you can become a plastic materials connoisseur.<\/p>\n<\/div>

What Is Delrin Material?<\/h2><\/div>

Delrin is a plastic material more commonly recognized as an acetal homopolymer. This semi-crystalline thermoplastic offers exceptional impact and wear resistance as well as electrical insulation properties. It is an ideal choice for several machining applications and is often used to replace metal parts.<\/p>\n

Some other Delrin characteristics include high tensile strength, stiffness, creep resistance, and fatigue resistance. All these mechanical properties allow plastic manufacturers to create thin, lightweight parts in a quick and cost-efficient way. In short, Delrin is an affordable, durable material that is easy to machine for all types of plastic components.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Machined<\/span><\/div>

One frustration that can arise is choosing Delrin among others in its class. Delrin is really just a brand name for a specific acetal homopolymer and is interchangeable with many others of the same type.<\/p>\n

Now, that\u2019s a lot of fancy words, and honestly, I\u2019m not even convinced the experts know what they mean. However, we must soldier on for the sake of knowledge and learning. So, what is the difference between Delrin and other acetal polymers?<\/p>\n<\/div>

Acetal vs Delrin<\/h2><\/div>

Acetal plastics, also known as polyoxymethylene<\/a>, are a class of thermoplastics that come in several different forms and specific brands. Whether copolymers or homopolymers, these plastics do share many overlapping characteristics with slight variance. Overall, they are typically lightweight, wear-resistant, and low-friction.<\/p>\n

There are also metal-detectable acetals, which include metal additives. This allows machinery to find broken fragments during production using metal detectors. These are often colored blue to make them easier to find and extract, especially in applications involving food.<\/p>\n<\/div>

So What\u2019s the Difference?<\/h3><\/div>

The central difference between Delrin vs other acetal materials is due to its status as a homopolymer. Rather than having several different subunits, this material\u2019s crystalline structure is entirely uniform. This improves properties such as stiffness and resistance to flex fatigue. It also increases overall mechanical durability.<\/p>\n

A downside of choosing Delrin over other acetal thermoplastic materials<\/a> is centerline porosity. This is an abnormality caused by gas escaping while the plastic cools. If the center is drilled out, this is a non-issue. If not, however, it can increase the risk of bacterial growth in food and medical applications.<\/p>\n

In conclusion, Delrin is somewhat unique, but it is not that much different from other acetal plastics. In most cases, it can be exchanged for other materials depending on your application and budget.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Delrin<\/span><\/div>

Delrin Properties & Applications<\/h2><\/div>

Delrin\u2019s properties make it a good choice for several high-capacity mechanical applications, and with its moisture resistance, it is also useful in damp environments. Here is an overview of Delrin properties and applications:<\/p>\n<\/div>

Delrin Material Properties<\/h3><\/div>