Delrin: A Strong Alternative to Metal

Delrin: A Strong Alternative to Metal
3 min read
11 November 2022

While metal is the traditional material for machining, Delrin offers many advantages that make it a strong alternative. Delrin is a versatile plastic that one can use in a variety of applications. It is strong and durable, yet easy to machine and mold. 

Delrin plastic properties also make it resistant to many chemicals and solvents. Let's look at some factors that make Delrin an ideal material for your next project. 

What is Delrin? 

Delrin is a brand name for a group of plastics made from polyoxymethylene (POM). POM is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic with high strength, stiffness, and hardness. Delrin is known for its low friction and wear properties. It is a usable material for many products, such as gears, bearings, and electrical insulators. 

Delrin Plastic Properties

Delrin has a wide range of applications due to its unique properties:

Chemical Properties 

Delrin has a high resistance to organic solvents. Notably, almost no common solvents can dissolve Delrin at temperatures below 71°C (160°F). 

Delrin is excellent for many underground applications because it is impervious to rot and corrosion. It can also resist stains and discolorations. 

Mechanical Properties 

Delrin has a very high fatigue resistance. It can withstand up to 5,000 psi in compression and tension for a very long time. 

Delrin's impact resistance is exceptional and won't deform or keep dents. As resin molecular weight rises, so does Delrin's ability to withstand impact. 

The coefficient of friction for Delrin is also very low. Its friction values stay almost the same across various stressors, including surface speeds, loads, and temperatures. 

Electrical Properties 

Delrin is a good choice for electrical dielectrics because of its low dissipation factors. Its dielectric constants are also very low over various temperatures and frequencies. It still has good dielectric properties even when completely submerged in highly humid environments. 

Thermal Properties 

Delrin doesn't get brittle when it gets cold. Its impact resistance is only 20% less at -40°C (-40°F) than at room temperature. 

Delrin has a high tensile strength of up to 2,000 psi. It also has a flexural modulus of 180,000. Furthermore, it can maintain its strength at temperatures as high as 93°C (200°F), which makes it ideal for a wide variety of working environments.

Moreover, Delrin can work at temperatures up to 82°C (180°F) in the open air and 66°C (150°F) in water. It can also handle brief thermal peaks of up to 250°F. 

Applications 

Delrin is a versatile engineering plastic with many applications in various industries. Delrin rod suppliers provide this material in different shapes and sizes to meet the needs of their customers. Some typical applications for Delrin plastic include: 

  • Molded parts and components 
  • Gears 
  • Bearings and Bushings 
  • Pump impellers 
  • Valves 
  • Electrical insulators
  • Food processing equipment

We carry a wide selection of Delrin rods and sheets in various sizes. We are a major distributor of Delrin sheets in Canada

Delrin’s plastic properties make it suitable for many projects, and it could be the metal alternative you need. For more information, contact us today. 

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