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Polyoxymethylene (POM)
2.5-3.5 usd/kg
Polyoxymethylene (POM), also known as acetal, is a high-performance engineering thermoplastic used for its combination of mechanical properties combined with low surface friction and excellent dimensional stability. Available in both homopolymer (POM-H) and copolymer (POM-C) forms, POM is widely used in precision parts that require high stiffness, low wear, and consistent performance over a wide range of temperatures. Its natural lubricity and high fatigue resistance make it ideal for gears, bearings, bushings, and other moving components, while its low moisture absorption ensures reliable performance in humid environments.
POM’s versatility is further enhanced by the availability of reinforced grades, such as glass fibre (GF) and carbon fibre (CF) composites, which enhance stiffness, strength, and heat resistance. This allows POM materials to be tailored for demanding structural applications in automotive, electronics, consumer goods, and industrial machinery. While POM-H offers slightly higher mechanical properties, POM-C stands out for its superior resistance to hydrolysis and chemicals, making it the preferred choice for applications involving water or aggressive substances.
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Sustainability concerns
Non-renewable ingredients
Raw material generates polluting by-products
Low circularity potential
Microplastics
The addition of glass fibre dramatically increases stiffness, strength, dimensional stability, and heat deflection temperature compared to unfilled POM. These grades are selected for structural parts that must withstand higher mechanical loads, elevated temperatures, or require minimal thermal expansion, such as automotive components, pump housings, and precision engineering parts. The higher the glass fibre content, the greater the mechanical and thermal performance, but with a trade-off in reduced ductility and increased brittleness. POM-GF40, in particular, is chosen for the most demanding structural applications where maximum rigidity and minimal deformation under load are required.
Adding glass fibre to POM generally increases impact strength, especially at lower fibre contents (e.g., up to 10% by weight). Studies show that even a small addition of glass fibre can more than double the impact strength and energy absorption compared to unfilled POM. As fibre content increases above 10%, the impact strength continues to improve, though the rate of increase becomes less pronounced at higher loadings (e.g., above 30%). The ability to dissipate mechanical energy and withstand dynamic loads is also enhanced in glass fibre reinforced POM composites