Precision Plastic CNC Machined Parts POM ABS Nylon Delrin HDPE Polycarbonate PTFE PP PEEK

High Precision Plastic CNC Machined Parts POM ABS Nylon Delrin HDPE Polycarbonate PTFE PP PEEK

Plastic materials are an excellent choice for many machining projects. They are lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and easily shaped into complex forms. Common plastics used in machining include acrylic, nylon, polycarbonate, and PTFE. Each type has different qualities that make it suitable for specific uses. When choosing a plastic for your project, consider the required strength, finish, and cost to find the best material.

What Plastic Is Best For Machining?

Thermoplastics are the most common plastic polymers used in CNC plastic machining. This is because they retain their original properties after reforming and remodeling on melting. For a better view and understanding of what plastic polymer to use, you can check through our list of CNC materials. However, below are some common plastics suitable for many products.

Delrin (POM)

Delrin is a thermoplastic known for its rigidity and strength. It is a good plastic CNC machining material as it can function well in high tensile stress situations. It is heat resistant (however, it cannot withstand temperatures greater than or equal to 121°C (250°F).

Nylon (Polyamide)

Nylon is a high purity semi-crystalline CNC plastic machining material known for its excellent thermal, mechanical, and chemical resistance. CNC machining nylon is easy as the material offers tight tolerance due to its physical properties and dimensional stability. It also behaves like a metal, evident in the popular saying, “machining nylon is like machining brass.” CNC tools used in working nylon material should be tungsten carbide alloy tools.

PMMA(Acrylic)

Acrylic is a suitable plastic CNC material with lightweight, great tensile strength, wear resistance, and rigidity. It has high machinability although there are some conditions you should look at. For example, for CNC cutting, the cutting tool must be a carbide tool with an aggressive and razor-sharp edge to give a perfect surface finish.

PTFE(Teflon)

PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) or Teflon is a thermal, water, electrical, and chemical resistant plastic known for its extremely high tensile strength. It is a common CNC plastic due to its density and softness. However, it has a high coefficient of friction and stress creep properties which makes it hard to achieve tight tolerances. Therefore, you or the rapid prototyping service you employ should know about the implications of its properties and the required tools before machining.

PEEK

PEEK is a group of high-performance plastics known for their high melting point, corrosion resistance, and excellent mechanical properties. PEEK is more popular in 3D printing; however, its inherent properties and the accuracy, repeatability, tight tolerances, and other advantages of a CNC machine make them highly suitable for machining. While PEEK is popular as a plastic CNC machining material, you should know about its properties so as to reduce cracking as a result of heat and internal stress.

UHMWPE

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene is another CNC plastic machining material with high tensile strength, corrosion resistance, and other excellent mechanical properties. These properties make it a likable material in rapid prototyping. However, machining UHMW is not an easy task due to its instability. Since it is impossible to mold the material, machining is still the better option. Therefore, it is better to outsource to a service with high experience of working with the material.

PEI

Polyetherimide, also called PEI, is a high-performance plastic used for applications due to the exceptional mechanical properties, thermal stability as well as chemical resistance it offers. It provides mechanical properties and excellent strength and stiffness to other plastics, which makes them useful in most applications.
PEI offers high operational stability, mechanically, and chemically it can maintain it steady performance even when used at temperatures up to 340 F (170 C). They include flame retardancy because it is inherent in the composition and limited emission of smoke.
The low expansion coefficient of PEI used in CNC machining means the material remains stable and affords minimal alterations in dimension making it ideal without constant adjustments. Due to these characteristic features, PEI has become the material of choice for aerospace, automotive, and medical device items.

PAI

Polyamide-imide (PAI) is a plastic with high mechanical properties, high thermal stability and excellent wear resistant-couple. This makes it superior to many other plastics because of its heat resistance in that it can easily keep properties at high temperatures, 500°F (260°C).
Some of the key characteristics of this type of plastic include low coefficient of thermal expansion and high dimensional stability that is desirable for precision CNC machining work in order to achieve tight tolerances and without distorting the material. Its ability to withstand the chemical and abrasive environment it ideal for use in aerospace applications automotive and manufacture industries.

What industries use machined plastic materials?

Plastic materials are crucial in modern manufacturing because they offer many benefits for different industries. Their versatility—lightweight yet durable, cost-effective, and flexible in design—has led to machined plastic components being used in many sectors, inspiring new ways of product design and manufacturing.
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Automotive Industry

The automotive industry shows how functional machined plastic materials can be. Car manufacturers use these materials for many parts, including interior trim, dashboard panels, door handles, and structural components. Plastic is lightweight, which can help improve fuel efficiency. Its strength also ensures that it performs well in the harsh conditions of the automotive environment.

Aerospace and Defense

Machined plastic parts are essential in aerospace and defense because they can handle extreme conditions. Aircraft interiors and satellite components use these materials for components. They are strong, lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and stable under heat, making them ideal for critical missions.

Medical and Healthcare

The medical and healthcare industries use machined plastic materials because they offer many benefits. These materials are common in making medical devices, prosthetics, and surgical instruments. They are safe for the body, sterilized easily, and made with high precision.

Electronics and Telecommunications

The electronics and telecommunications industries use machined plastic parts for many purposes, such as making housings for electronic devices, protective casings, and detailed parts for telecommunications equipment. Plastic is popular in these industries because it insulates well and allows for flexible designs.

Consumer Goods

Machined plastic materials are commonly used in the consumer goods industry to make various products, such as household items, toys, sporting goods, and personal care accessories. They are cost-effective, customizable, and easy to manufacture, making them popular for producing many consumer goods in large quantities.

CNC Machining Tolerance