Within the vast world of plastics, Ertacetal, often referred to simply as Acetal, holds a significant place. Known chemically as PolyOxyMethylene or POM, Ertacetal is typically available in two primary forms: Copolymer acetal (POM-C) and homopolymer acetal (POM-H), which is also commonly known as Delrin®. Here at Ai Plastics, we provide both variations in various sizes, all cut to order.

Differences Between Acetal C and Acetal H

Acetal C (Copolymer Acetal)

Acetal C, the copolymer variant, offers excellent performance at a slightly reduced cost compared to Acetal H/Delrin. Despite this, the properties of both variants are quite similar. However, Acetal C's lower stress levels and high tensile strength ensure flatness and dimensional stability up to a maximum temperature of 100 degrees Celsius. At Ai Plastics, Acetal C is provided in both rod and sheet formats and is suitable for food applications as it meets FDA approval standards. The material is available in both black and natural colors.

Other advantages of Acetal C include:

• Better dimensional stability due to its lower crystallinity levels.
• Superior resistance to hot water and strong caustics, particularly in high pH (basic) solutions.
• A lower coefficient of friction and improved impact and wear properties, especially beneficial in wet or humid conditions.

Acetal H (Homopolymer Acetal)

Acetal H, the homopolymer variant, provides slightly enhanced mechanical properties compared to Acetal C. It boasts greater stiffness, higher flexural modulus at both room and elevated temperatures, superior creep resistance, and often better wear resistance than its copolymer counterpart. Key features of Acetal H include:

• Higher stiffness, resulting in a higher flexural modulus at room and elevated temperatures.
• Slightly higher tensile and impact strength at room and lower temperatures.
• Slightly harder, leading to a lower coefficient of friction.

Commonalities

In most scenarios, Acetal H and Acetal C can be substituted for one another since their material properties differ by only about 10%. One of the most notable shared traits within the engineering plastic community is the ease of machining. Unlike many other engineering plastics, Acetal C and Acetal H do not deflect away from tools or easily chip during machining, making them ideal for precision work.

Both grades are renowned for their high mechanical strength, low thermal expansion, low water absorption, and excellent creep resistance. They also exhibit high lubricity, contributing to their superior abrasion resistance and very low coefficient of friction.

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Typical Material Applications

Owing to their diverse properties such as lubricity, strength, chemical resistance, and ease of machining, both Acetal C and Acetal H find use in thousands of applications. Common applications include:

• Parts for conveyor systems
• Automotive and fuel-related components
• Sliding and guiding mechanisms
• Gears and bearings
• Zippers
• Electrical components and insulation
• Winter sports equipment
• Pump and valve parts

Need Assistance?

If you require technical guidance regarding Acetal C and Acetal H, feel free to contact us at 0161 727 0255 or download our detailed datasheets from our website. You may also direct your queries to our support team.