Polyformaldehyde POM Granules Manufacturers

Industry Knowledge

What are some common applications of Polyformaldehyde (POM) granules in the manufacturing industry?

Polyformaldehyde (POM), also known as polyoxymethylene, is a thermoplastic material that has been widely used in various applications across several industries. Due to its high strength, stiffness, and dimensional stability, POM is particularly suitable for manufacturing products that require high precision and accuracy.

One of the most common applications of POM is in the manufacturing of gears, bearings, and other mechanical parts. Its excellent wear resistance and low coefficient of friction make it an ideal material for components that require high durability and smooth operation. Additionally, POM's ability to maintain its shape and dimensional stability even under high temperatures and pressures make it suitable for use in challenging environments.

In the automotive industry, POM is used to manufacture a wide range of components such as fuel system parts, interior trims, and electrical connectors. Its excellent resistance to fuels, oils, and other chemicals, as well as its ability to withstand high temperatures, make it an ideal material for use in these applications. Moreover, POM's low moisture absorption and excellent creep resistance help to ensure the longevity of these components even under harsh conditions.

POM is also used in the production of consumer goods such as toys, electronic devices, and household appliances. Its high dimensional stability, excellent surface finish, and ability to withstand repeated cycles of stress and strain make it an ideal material for these applications. Additionally, POM's ability to resist discoloration and degradation due to exposure to UV light and other environmental factors make it a popular choice for products that require long-term use.

Another significant application of POM is in the production of medical devices and equipment. Its excellent chemical resistance, biocompatibility, and sterilizability make it an ideal material for use in the healthcare industry. POM is commonly used to manufacture parts for syringes, surgical instruments, and other medical devices that require high precision, accuracy, and durability.

In the construction industry, POM is used to manufacture components such as door handles, locks, and hinges. Its excellent mechanical properties and resistance to wear and tear make it suitable for use in these applications. Moreover, POM's ability to resist corrosion and degradation due to exposure to environmental factors such as moisture, UV light, and chemicals make it a reliable material for use in construction.

How do POM granules compare to other thermoplastics in terms of their strength, stiffness, and toughness?

POM, or polyoxymethylene, is a type of thermoplastic that has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its desirable properties, including strength, stiffness, and toughness. These properties make POM granules a suitable material for a wide range of applications, from consumer goods to industrial machinery.

When compared to other thermoplastics, POM granules stand out for their strength. POM has a high tensile strength, meaning it can withstand significant forces before breaking or deforming. This makes it a suitable material for parts that experience high stress, such as gears and bearings. POM's strength is also evident in its ability to maintain its shape over time, even when exposed to high temperatures or harsh environments.

In terms of stiffness, POM granules are also known for their high modulus of elasticity. This property describes the material's ability to resist deformation under stress. POM's high modulus of elasticity allows it to maintain its shape and resist bending, which makes it ideal for applications that require precision and accuracy, such as mechanical components and electrical connectors.

Toughness is another important property of POM granules. Toughness refers to a material's ability to withstand impact or shock without breaking. POM is known for its toughness and ability to absorb energy, making it a suitable material for parts that may experience sudden impacts or shocks, such as automotive components and sports equipment.

When compared to other thermoplastics, such as polycarbonate and nylon, POM granules offer similar or superior properties in terms of strength, stiffness, and toughness. For example, polycarbonate is known for its high impact resistance, but POM offers similar toughness while also being more rigid and less prone to creep under load. Nylon, on the other hand, is known for its strength and flexibility, but POM offers comparable strength and greater stiffness.

What are some common methods for processing POM granules into finished products?

Polyoxymethylene (POM), also known as acetal, is a thermoplastic polymer that is commonly used in various industrial applications. POM is known for its excellent mechanical properties, good dimensional stability, and resistance to chemicals and abrasion. It is commonly used in the manufacturing of gears, bearings, electrical components, and automotive parts.

To turn POM granules into finished products, a variety of processing methods can be used. These methods include injection molding, extrusion, blow molding, and rotational molding. Each of these methods has its own unique advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of method depends on the specific application requirements of the final product.

Injection molding is a widely used method for processing POM granules. In this process, the POM granules are melted and injected into a mold under high pressure. The mold is then cooled, and the finished product is ejected from the mold. Injection molding allows for high production rates and produces parts with excellent dimensional accuracy and surface finish. However, it requires a significant initial investment in tooling and equipment, making it suitable for large volume production runs.

Extrusion is another common method for processing POM granules. In this process, the POM granules are melted and pushed through a die to form a continuous profile. The profile is then cooled and cut to the desired length. Extrusion is ideal for producing long, continuous parts such as pipes and tubes. It is a highly efficient and cost-effective method, but it produces parts with lower dimensional accuracy and surface finish compared to injection molding.

Blow molding is a method for producing hollow parts such as bottles and containers. In this process, the POM granules are melted and formed into a parison (a hollow tube) using an extrusion process. The parison is then placed into a mold, and compressed air is used to blow it into the desired shape. The part is then cooled and ejected from the mold. Blow molding produces parts with excellent surface finish and dimensional accuracy, but it is typically used for lower volume production runs.

Rotational molding is a process for producing large, hollow parts such as tanks and containers. In this process, the POM granules are added to a mold, which is then heated and rotated to evenly distribute the melted plastic around the mold. The mold is then cooled, and the finished product is removed from the mold. Rotational molding produces parts with excellent strength and durability, but it is a slow and costly process, making it suitable for lower volume production runs.