A Guide to Plastics Used in CNC Machining

In the world of precision manufacturing, CNC machining stands out for its ability to produce hightolerance, complex parts from a vast array of materials. While metals often take center stage, engineering plastics are equally critical, offering unique properties that are indispensable for countless applications across aerospace, medical, automotive, and electronics industries. For businesses seeking reliable, custommachined components, understanding the right plastic for the job is paramount to success.


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Why Machine Plastics?

Plastics offer a compelling alternative to metals, providing advantages such as:
Light Weight: Essential for applications where every gram counts.
Corrosion Resistance: Impervious to many chemicals and environmental factors that degrade metals.
Electrical Insulation: Naturally nonconductive, making them ideal for housings and fixtures.
Low Friction & SelfLubrication: Certain plastics excel in bearing and wear applications without needing external lubrication.

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CostEffectiveness: Often more affordable than metals, both in material and machining costs.

Key Plastics for CNC Machining



Selecting the optimal material is a strategic decision. Here are some of the most commonly used and versatile plastics in CNC machining:

1. ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): A popular generalpurpose plastic known for its good impact resistance, toughness, and machinability. It's often used for prototypes, housings, and consumer products.

2. Polycarbonate (PC): Renowned for its exceptional impact strength and clarity. Polycarbonate is virtually unbreakable and offers good heat resistance, making it perfect for protective shields, lenses, and transparent components.

3. Nylon (PA 6/66): A versatile family of plastics valued for their high strength, good wear resistance, and low friction. Nylon is selflubricating, making it an excellent choice for gears, bushings, and bearings.

4. POM (Acetal/Delrin®): Known for its high stiffness, low friction, and excellent dimensional stability. Acetal machines to a very smooth finish and is often called the "engineering plastic" for precision parts like insulators, gears, and fasteners.

5. PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone): A highperformance thermoplastic that stands up to extreme environments. It offers exceptional thermal stability, chemical resistance, and mechanical strength, rivaling some metals. It is ideal for demanding aerospace, medical, and automotive applications.

6. PTFE (Teflon®): The ultimate material for low friction and hightemperature chemical resistance. Its unique nonstick properties make it indispensable for seals, gaskets, and insulators in corrosive environments.

Partner with a CNC Machining Expert

Navigating the selection of plastics requires deep expertise. The optimal choice depends on your specific requirements for strength, temperature, chemical exposure, and regulatory compliance (e.g., FDA, USP Class VI for medical parts).

Our company specializes in providing a onestop solution for all your CNC machined component needs. From material selection guidance to precision machining and finishing, we ensure your plastic parts are manufactured to the highest standards of quality and performance, delivering the reliability your products demand.

By leveraging the right engineering plastics, you can achieve lighter, more durable, and costeffective solutions. Let us help you unlock the full potential of CNC machined plastics for your next project.