In CNC plastic machining, there are many choices for different needs. CNC plastic parts can be applied in aerospace, medical, oil and gas, and more industries. Let’s take a look at the common plastic materials for CNC machining and their uses, which for a reference when you choosing a material for your project. 

1. POM (Acetal)

POM (Polyoxymethylene), also known as acetal, polyacetal, and polyformaldehyde, an engineering thermoplastic has high stiffness, low friction, good wear resistance, low moisture absorption, good electrical properties, and excellent dimensional stability. The typical applications of POM or acetal including fuel rails, fuel supply unit, control valves, cars lock, seatbelt adjuster, HVAC control panel knobs, automotive clip, and more parts in the automobile industry; pipe couplings, shower head, water filters, pumps for industrial uses; fuel tank, caps, and hoses in consumer goods; electronic enclosures, bushings, bearings, gears, etc.

2. ABS

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), different components in ABS make it has good toughness and strength, also offering chemical and thermal stability and glossy finish. Common applications for ABS plastic are refrigeration components, 3D building materials, pipes & fittings, vacuum construction, keyboard keys, electronic housing, lego toys, consumer products, parts of nebulizers, compressors, music instruments, sports equipment, food processors, control panels, etc. More details for CNC ABS machining are available on CNClathing.com.

3. Nylon (Polyamide)

Nylon is exceptionally strong and elastic, has excellent toughness and abrasion resistance, good thermal and chemical resistance, easy to wash, and dye. Nylon is commonly used to fabricate plastic fasteners and machine parts, cookware, and fabric, as well as parachute canopies, automotive parts, mechanical parts, food, and beverage industry.

4. PC 

PC (Polycarbonate) is a highly useful engineering thermoplastic that has high transparency, high toughness, good heat resistance, high impact resistance. PC plastic is suitable used to make bullet-proof glass, protective eyewear, sunroofs in cars, dashboards, headlamp lenses, bumpers, body panels, CDs, DVDs, Blue Ray discs, electrical insulator, LED screens, ATM machines, mobile phone panels, baby drinking bottles, police riot gear, swimming goggles, and SCUBA diving masks, etc. 

5. PTFE (Teflon)

PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene), also known as Teflon, is a versatile ivory-white and opaque plastic fluoropolymer, highly flexible, chemical resistant, thermal resistant, non-stick and electrically resistant, and as its low friction, PTFE plastic is ideal for applications including non-stick coating for pans and other cookware, insulation of wiring in aerospace and computer applications, lubricant, graft material in surgical interventions, catheters coating, plain bearings, gears, slide plates, seals, gaskets, bushings. etc. PTFE machining is popular as its high machinability.

6. PEEK 

PEEK (Polyether ether ketone) is a semi-crystalline, opaque, high-performance engineering thermoplastic, has exceptional tensile properties, excellent creep resistance, low friction, good dimensional stability, great insulation properties, resistance to liquids and superb fatigue, and insoluble in all common solvents. Popular applications of PEEK plastic are automotive parts like seals, washers, bearings, transmission parts, air-conditioning systems, aerospace engine parts, aircraft exterior parts, convoluted tubing, dental instruments, endoscopes, and dialyzers, coaxial connector jacks used in hands-free telephone kits, surface-mounted trimming potentiometers, connector pins on under-sea environment control equipment, etc.