Delrin and acetal material difference
2026-04-30
1. What are Delrin and Acetal?
-
Acetal is another name for polyoxymethylene (POM), an engineering plastic known for its excellent wear resistance and self-lubricating properties, which is widely used in precision components.
-
Delrin is a type of polyoxymethylene produced by DuPont that offers superior performance.
Although DuPont Delrin POM is also a type of acetal material, it differs from others in terms of performance and applications. The following section will outline the differences between the two materials.
2. Differences Between Delrin and Acetal
Acetal, also known as POM, can be classified into homopolymer acetal (POM-H) and copolymer acetal (POM-C) based on their molecular structures. POM-C is the most common and widely used type on the market, and Delrin is one of the leading suppliers of POM-H materials.
In summary, DuPont Delrin is a type of acetal, but not all acetal is Delrin POM material.
Differences in molecular structure of POM-C and Delrin
- Delrin (POM-H) is produced by the polycondensation of formaldehyde monomers; its main chain consists entirely of –CH₂–O– units, resulting in a highly regular molecular structure (as shown in the figure on the left) and a higher degree of crystallinity (60–70%).
- POM-C, on the other hand, is produced by copolymerization of formaldehyde and other monomers (with –CH₂–CH₂– units inserted into the main chain); this disrupts the regularity of the molecular structure, resulting in lower crystallinity (50–60%).
Differences in molecular structure directly affect a material’s strength, heat resistance, and processability.
Differences in mechanical properties of POM-C and Delrin
|
Performance
|
Delrin (POM-H)
|
POM-C
|
|---|---|---|
|
Tensile strength
|
76-83 MPa
|
60-70 MPa
|
|
Modulus of bending
|
3000+ MPa
|
2400-2600 MPa
|
|
Fatigue-resistant
|
Better
|
General
|
|
Creep resistance
|
Better
|
General
|
|
Low-temperature resistant
|
Better
|
General
|
As shown in the data on the up, Dupont Delrin POM offers superior mechanical properties.
However, it is rarely seen in the market or in practical applications, primarily because Delrin POM has significant disadvantages compared to Acatal homopolymer in terms of processability, cost, hydrolysis resistance, and acid and alkali resistance.
However, it is rarely seen in the market or in practical applications, primarily because Delrin POM has significant disadvantages compared to Acatal homopolymer in terms of processability, cost, hydrolysis resistance, and acid and alkali resistance.
In particular, when it comes to machining, DuPont Delrin POM-H has the following significant disadvantages:
- Poor high-temperature resistance; melting point ≈178°C, thermal decomposition ≈220°C; narrow processing temperature window, high melting point, and a tendency to release formaldehyde gas at high temperatures; POM-C has a melting point of 165°C and thermal decomposition above 230°C
- Poor dimensional stability: Delrin POM-H has a higher crystallinity, resulting in greater shrinkage, which can lead to defects during the machining of thin-walled, high-precision parts
Although machining DuPont Delrin POM is quite challenging, its advantages are clear: high strength, fatigue resistance, creep resistance, and wear resistance, making it particularly suitable for the production of high-load structural components, wear-resistant slides, and precision gears.
3. How to Choose Delrin POM Material
As the world’s largest manufacturer of homopolymer formaldehyde, DuPont Delrin meets virtually any requirement you may have for lubricated plastic materials. The table below provides a clearer indication of how well the products align with your specific needs.
DuPont Delrin POM is typically named using a combination of a number and a modifier to indicate its properties. Common grades include 100P (high viscosity, low melt flow index), 500P (medium viscosity, medium melt flow index), and 900P (high flow, high melt flow index).
DuPont Delrin POM is typically named using a combination of a number and a modifier to indicate its properties. Common grades include 100P (high viscosity, low melt flow index), 500P (medium viscosity, medium melt flow index), and 900P (high flow, high melt flow index).
| Grade | Viscosity | Melt flow index (MFI) | Features | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delrin 100P | High | 2.5 |
·Extrusion molding
·High toughness
·Low wear
|
High-intensity applications, wear-resistant applications |
| Delrin 500P | Medium | 15 | ·General purpose application | General purpose |
| Delrin 900P | Low | 25 | ·Thin wall molding | Thinner products |
| Delrin 100ST | High | 2 | ·Ultra high impact resistant | Fasteners, pins, gears |
| Delrin 100AF | High | 0.9 | ·PTFE 20% reinforced lubricated | Conveyor belt assembly, zipper |
| Delrin 100T | High | 2 | ·High impact resistant | Fasteners, pins, gears |
| Delrin 300ATB | High | 2.3 |
·Antistatic
·Toughener
|
Electrostatic dissipation applications, conductive applications |
| Delrin FG100P | High | 2.5 | ·Food contact certificated | Food contact applications, medical device applications |
If you are unsure of your requirements, please contact us for assistance from our technical staff.👉 +86 15837933829
Emulsion and continuous mass polymerization ABS differences
Which Material Is Safer for Drinking Water Bottles? (PET vs PC vs PCTG vs PPSU)