Overview
Delrin® is the registered trademark of DuPont’s POM-H (Polyoxymethylene Homopolymer), one of the most widely used engineering thermoplastics known for its exceptional strength, stiffness, dimensional stability, low friction, wear resistance, and machinability.
Compared with standard copolymer acetal (POM-C), Delrin offers higher tensile strength, greater hardness, improved fatigue resistance, and superior creep resistance, making it ideal for precision mechanical components.
Delrin is widely used in:
- Precision Gears
- Bearings and Bushings
- Automotive Components
- Conveyor Systems
- Medical Devices
- Industrial Machinery
- Electrical Components
- Consumer Products
Due to its excellent balance of mechanical properties, low moisture absorption, and ease of machining, Delrin is often referred to as the “metal replacement plastic” for precision engineering applications.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Designation | Delrin® |
| Full Name | Polyoxymethylene Homopolymer (POM-H) |
| Common Names | Delrin, Acetal Homopolymer |
| Material Family | Engineering Thermoplastic |
| Density | 1.41–1.43 g/cm³ |
| Appearance | Natural White, Black |
| Typical Manufacturing Methods | CNC Machining, Injection Molding, Extrusion |
| Standard Forms | Sheet, Rod, Tube, Pellets |
Chemical Composition
Delrin consists of highly crystalline polyoxymethylene polymer chains.
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Polyoxymethylene Polymer | Structural Matrix |
| Thermal Stabilizers | Processing Stability |
| Lubricating Additives (Optional) | Wear Improvement |
| Colorants | Appearance Control |
Its highly crystalline structure contributes to outstanding mechanical performance.
Common Delrin Grades
| Grade | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Delrin 150 | General Purpose |
| Delrin 500P | Injection Molding Grade |
| Delrin AF | PTFE-Filled Wear Grade |
| Delrin 570 | Glass Reinforced |
| Delrin Medical Grade | Healthcare Applications |
Mechanical Properties
Typical Values
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 65–75 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 60–70 MPa |
| Elongation at Break | 20–40% |
| Flexural Strength | 85–110 MPa |
| Flexural Modulus | 2.8–3.5 GPa |
| Hardness | Rockwell M85–95 |
| Compressive Strength | 90–120 MPa |
Typical Mechanical Performance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Strength | Excellent |
| Stiffness | Excellent |
| Fatigue Resistance | Outstanding |
| Creep Resistance | Excellent |
Delrin provides one of the best strength-to-cost ratios among engineering plastics.
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.41–1.43 g/cm³ |
| Water Absorption | 0.2–0.8% |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.30–0.35 W/m·K |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 1400 J/kg·K |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | Moderate |
Delrin exhibits excellent dimensional stability and low moisture sensitivity.
Thermal Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 175–180°C |
| Heat Deflection Temperature | 110–125°C |
| Continuous Service Temperature | -40°C to 100°C |
| Short-Term Service Temperature | Up to 140°C |
Delrin performs reliably across a broad operating temperature range.
Strength-to-Weight Ratio
| Material | Density (g/cm³) | Tensile Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Delrin | 1.42 | 70 MPa |
| Nylon 6 | 1.14 | 75 MPa |
| UHMW-PE | 0.94 | 35 MPa |
| Aluminum 6061 | 2.70 | 310 MPa |
Delrin provides excellent structural performance while remaining lightweight.
Chemical Resistance
| Chemical Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Water | Excellent |
| Oils & Greases | Excellent |
| Fuels | Excellent |
| Alcohols | Excellent |
| Hydrocarbons | Good |
| Dilute Alkalis | Good |
| Dilute Acids | Moderate |
| Strong Acids | Poor |
Delrin performs exceptionally well in automotive and industrial fluid environments.
Moisture Resistance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Water Absorption | Low |
| Humidity Stability | Excellent |
| Dimensional Stability | Excellent |
| Environmental Resistance | Excellent |
Low moisture absorption makes Delrin ideal for precision parts.
Friction & Wear Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Coefficient of Friction | 0.20–0.35 |
| Self-Lubricating | Yes |
| Wear Resistance | Excellent |
| Dry Running Capability | Good |
Delrin is widely used in moving mechanical assemblies due to its low friction.
Electrical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Volume Resistivity | >10¹⁴ Ω·cm |
| Surface Resistivity | >10¹³ Ω |
| Dielectric Strength | 18–25 kV/mm |
| Dielectric Constant | 3.6–3.8 |
Delrin is commonly used in electrical and electronic insulation applications.
Fatigue Resistance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Cyclic Loading Resistance | Outstanding |
| Creep Resistance | Excellent |
| Long-Term Mechanical Stability | Excellent |
| Gear Performance | Outstanding |
Delrin is one of the best engineering plastics for repetitive motion applications.
Machinability
| Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Milling | Outstanding |
| CNC Turning | Outstanding |
| Drilling | Outstanding |
| Tapping | Outstanding |
| Precision Machining | Outstanding |
Machinability Comparison
| Material | Machinability |
|---|---|
| Delrin | Outstanding |
| POM-C | Excellent |
| Nylon | Good |
| PEEK | Excellent |
Delrin is one of the easiest engineering plastics to machine.
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Machining | Outstanding |
| Injection Molding | Excellent |
| Extrusion | Excellent |
| Precision Manufacturing | Outstanding |
Delrin is widely used for high-volume precision engineering components.
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| ASTM | POM-H |
| ISO | Polyoxymethylene Homopolymer |
| DIN | POM-H |
| JIS | POM-H |
| GB/T (China) | 聚甲醛均聚物（POM-H） |
| DuPont | Delrin® |
Available Forms
| Product Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| Sheet | Yes |
| Rod | Yes |
| Tube | Yes |
| Pellets | Yes |
| Injection Molded Parts | Yes |
| CNC Machined Components | Yes |
Typical Applications
Automotive Industry
- Fuel System Components
- Door Lock Mechanisms
- Window Regulators
- Interior Mechanical Parts
Industrial Machinery
- Precision Gears
- Bearings
- Bushings
- Rollers
Electrical Industry
- Connector Housings
- Switch Components
- Insulating Parts
Medical Industry
- Device Components
- Surgical Equipment Parts
- Drug Delivery Components
Consumer Products
- Zippers
- Fasteners
- Sporting Goods Components
Automation Equipment
- Linear Guides
- Conveyor Components
- Motion Control Parts
Advantages
Outstanding Machinability
Produces highly accurate precision components.
Excellent Fatigue Resistance
Ideal for repetitive motion applications.
Low Friction
Suitable for gears, bearings, and sliding parts.
High Dimensional Stability
Maintains precision under varying environmental conditions.
Low Moisture Absorption
Better dimensional consistency than many nylons.
Cost-Effective Engineering Material
Excellent performance-to-cost ratio.
Limitations
Moderate Temperature Resistance
Not suitable for continuous operation above 100°C.
Limited UV Resistance
Outdoor applications may require stabilization.
Sensitive to Strong Acids
Not recommended for aggressive acidic environments.
Lower Heat Resistance Than PEEK or PPS
Not suitable for extreme temperature applications.
Comparison with Engineering Plastics
| Property | Delrin | Nylon 6 | POM-C | PEEK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Machinability | Outstanding | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Moisture Resistance | Excellent | Moderate | Excellent | Excellent |
| Fatigue Resistance | Outstanding | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Wear Resistance | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Outstanding |
| Cost | Moderate | Lower | Moderate | Very High |
Comparison with POM-C
| Property | Delrin (POM-H) | POM-C |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | Higher | |
| Hardness | Higher | |
| Fatigue Resistance | Better | |
| Chemical Resistance | Slightly Lower | |
| Machinability | Better |
Delrin is typically chosen when maximum mechanical performance is required.
Available Surface Finishes
Standard Finishes
- Natural Machined Finish
- Molded Finish
- Matte Finish
Functional Finishes
- Precision Ground Finish
- Bearing Surface Finish
- Low-Friction Finish
Specialty Grades
- Delrin 150
- Delrin 500P
- Delrin AF
- Glass Reinforced Delrin
- Medical Grade Delrin
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Delrin?
Delrin is DuPont’s trade name for POM-H (Polyoxymethylene Homopolymer), a high-performance engineering plastic with excellent strength, stiffness, and wear resistance.
What is Delrin used for?
Typical applications include:
- Gears
- Bearings
- Bushings
- Automotive Components
- Precision Mechanical Parts
Is Delrin stronger than Nylon?
Generally, Delrin offers better dimensional stability, fatigue resistance, and moisture resistance, while Nylon may offer higher impact toughness.
Is Delrin easy to machine?
Yes. Delrin is one of the most machinable engineering plastics available.
Why choose Delrin?
Because it combines:
- Excellent Machinability
- High Strength
- Outstanding Fatigue Resistance
- Low Friction
- Dimensional Stability
What is the difference between Delrin and POM-C?
Delrin (POM-H) offers higher strength and stiffness, while POM-C provides slightly better chemical resistance and lower porosity.
Does GCNOV provide Delrin manufacturing services?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- Delrin CNC Machining
- Injection Molding
- Precision Gear Manufacturing
- Bearing & Bushing Production
- Prototype Development
- Low-Volume Production
- Mass Production
- Custom Engineering Plastic Components