Polyoxymethylene (POM)
Polyoxymethylene (POM), also known as acetal or polyoxymethylene, is an excellent engineering thermoplastic. POM is often used to produce precision parts that require high stiffness, low friction and dimensional stability. Like many other synthetic POM polymers, POM is produced by different chemical companies with slightly different formulations.
POM is a high-performance engineering thermoplastic that has excellent mechanical POM material properties, a low coefficient of friction and good dimensional stability.
POM has high strength, high stiffness and high hardness, making it suitable for a variety of applications that require these properties. Its low coefficient of friction makes it ideal for manufacturing parts that require sliding or rotating motion, such as gears, bearings and bushings.
Physical and chemical properties
Polyoxymethylene is a hard and dense material with a smooth and shiny surface. It is light yellow or white and can be used for a long time in the temperature range of -40-100°C. Its wear resistance and self-lubricating properties are also superior to most engineering plastics, and it has good oil resistance and peroxide resistance. It is not resistant to acid, strong alkali and sunlight ultraviolet radiation.
Polyoxymethylene has a tensile strength of 70MPa, low water absorption, dimensional stability and gloss, which are better than nylon. Polyoxymethylene is a highly crystalline resin and the toughest among thermoplastic resins. It has high heat resistance, bending strength, fatigue resistance, wear resistance and electrical properties.
Characteristics – POM
POM is a tough and elastic material with good creep resistance, geometric stability and impact resistance even at low temperatures. POM has both homopolymer and copolymer materials. Homopolymer materials have good ductility and fatigue strength, but are not easy to process.
Copolymer materials have good thermal stability, chemical stability and are easy to process. Both homopolymer and copolymer materials are crystalline materials and do not absorb moisture easily. The high degree of crystallinity of POM leads to a relatively high shrinkage rate, which can be as high as 2%~3.5%. There are different shrinkage rates for different reinforced materials.
Common Applications of POM Materials
Polyoxymethylene (POM), also known as POM acetal or Delrin, is a versatile engineering thermoplastic POM with several excellent properties such as high stiffness, low friction, excellent dimensional stability, and good chemical resistance. These properties make POM suitable for a variety of applications in different industries. Here are some common applications of POM materials:
Automotive Industry: POM is widely used in the automotive field due to its excellent mechanical properties. It can be used to manufacture fuel system components, gears, bushings, clamps, valves, and other precision parts. The low friction and wear resistance of POM make it ideal for applications such as gears where smooth operation and durability are critical.
Electrical Industry: The electrical insulation properties and dimensional stability of POM make it ideal for electrical applications. It can be used to manufacture connectors, switches, relay housings, insulation components, and other electrical parts that require good dielectric properties and resistance to moisture and chemical corrosion.
Consumer Products: POM is widely used in the consumer products industry and can be used for various purposes such as zippers, buckles, handles, knobs, fasteners, and toys. POM’s durability, low friction, and reusability make it ideal for these applications.
Healthcare: The biocompatibility, stability, and chemical resistance of polyoxymethylene (POM) make it ideal for healthcare applications. It can be used to make surgical instruments, drug delivery devices, orthopedic implants, dental components, and other medical devices.
Industrial Machinery: POM’s high mechanical strength and wear resistance make it suitable for a variety of industrial machinery applications. It can be used to make gears, bearings, conveyor system components, valve parts, and other precision machine parts that require high strength, low friction, and dimensional stability.
Fluid Handling Systems: POM’s chemical resistance, low moisture absorption, and dimensional stability make it ideal for use in fluid handling systems. It can be used in pumps, valves, impellers, fittings, and other parts that come in contact with chemicals, fuels, or corrosive fluids.
Necessity of polyoxymethylene plastic recycling
A. Environmental protection needs: Polyoxymethylene plastics are difficult to degrade in the natural environment, and long-term accumulation will cause pollution to soil and water bodies. Through recycling and treatment, the damage of these plastic wastes to the environment can be reduced.
B. Resource conservation: Recycling polyoxymethylene plastics can be reused, reducing the demand for new plastic raw materials, thereby saving resources.
C. Economic benefits: The development of the recycling industry can create employment opportunities, while promoting the development of the circular economy, and achieving a win-win situation of economic and social benefits.
Recycling methods of polyoxymethylene plastics
A. Classification and collection: Classify and collect polyoxymethylene plastics at the source to avoid confusion with other types of plastics and improve recycling efficiency.
B. Physical recycling: Through physical means such as crushing, cleaning, and melting, waste polyoxymethylene plastics are converted into reusable plastic particles.
C. Chemical recycling: Use chemical methods to decompose polyoxymethylene plastics into their monomers or oligomers, and then further synthesize new plastic materials.
