Whilst most consumers and companies will be aware of some of the better known types of engineering plastics (such as polyester and polyethylene) that are available from plastic suppliers nowadays, relatively few people will have heard of Acetal. This is a shame as Acetal is a very useful general purpose engineering plastic that can fulfil a wide range of needs.
Overview
Acetal is a thermoplastic (i.e. it becomes pliable above a specific temperature) therefore it has a number of highly regarded properties, with high strength, low absorption of moisture, high machinability and impressive resistance to wear being the most important.
Applications
Like other plastics of this kind, Acetal is used for a wide range of industrial, commercial and engineering applications. For instance, Acetal is a mainstay of the automotive industry as it is the perfect material from which to make high performance components like valves, bearings and gears. In fact, any component that requires a high resistance to friction or needs a high level of inherent durability (such as locking systems, ski bindings, fasteners and knife handles) is likely to be made from Acetal.
Stability
As well as its aforementioned strengths and physical properties, Acetal is also known for its stability. Because of this, it is often seen as being the material of choice for companies that make electrical components. The reason for this is that components made from Acetal can be easily machined into dimensions which will afford impressive levels of chemical resistance and high dimensional stability when used.
