Polyacetal

SHIMUL CHAKMA
2K19/PTE/05
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It will Cover
Ø Introduction
Ø Trade Names And Identifiers
Ø Manufacture of Monomer
Ø Chemistry of Preparation
Ø Classification
Ø Comparison of Acetal Copolymer and Homopolymer
Ø Manufacturing process
Ø Properties
Ø Limitation with Polyacetal
Ø Additives & Fillers and their effects
Ø Applications 2
 What is a Polyacetal?

Ø It is a formaldehyde-based, semi-crystalline engineering thermoplastic.

Ø Contain the functional group of a carbon bonded to two -OR groups.
Ø Other names of Polyacetal are Polyformaldehyde, Polymethylene
glycol, Polyoxymethylene glycol.
Ø Also known as Polyoxymethylene or POM
Ø It is a colorless liquid with a strong odor.
Ø Chemical Formula: (CH2O) n
Ø Molecular Structure:

Trade Names And Identifiers of Polyacetals

Polymer Class Polyglycol

Polyacetal
Poly(formaldehyde)
Polymethylene glycol
Trade Names
Delrin
Celcon
Duracon

Poly(oxymethylene),
Structure Based Name
Poly(methylene oxide)

Acronyms POM
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 Polyacetal (POM) History

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https://omnexus.specialchem.com/

Manufacture of Monomer

Methanal/formaldehyde is produced from methanol by dehydrogenation and oxidation

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 Monomer Ingredients for Polyacetal

v Polyacetal is made from formaldehyde (HCHO).

v Copolymer of polyacetal is made from trioxane, the cyclic trimer of formaldehyde.

Classification of Polyacetal
There are two types of polyacetal : homopolymer and copolymer

Polyacetal Homopolymer
Acetal Homopolymer is produced from anhydrous, monomeric formaldehyde-

100-1100 C

initiator

Ø Polymerization occurs readily below 1100 C

Ø Above 1100 C, the polymer unzips
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 Polyacetal Copolymer

The copolymer of POM requires that the formaldehyde is converted to trioxane,

which can be done by acid catalysis and cationic polymerization.
The reaction followed by purification of the trioxane by distillation or extraction to
remove water and other active impurities containing hydrogen.

Polyacetal Polymerisation
 Homopolymer vs. acetal copolymer crystalline structure in 2-D

Source: White paper - DuPont™ Delrin® acetal homopolymer

Structural difference between homopolymer and copolymer

Ø The relationship between crystalline blocks and entanglements in 3-D.

Ø The uniform backbone of homopolymer allows the formation of larger blocks with more
entanglements leading to a tighter network and, subsequently, superior mechanical
properties.
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Source: White paper - DuPont™ Delrin® acetal homopolymer
 Popular Processing Techniques for POM
Injection Molding:
Ø Melt Temperature-
Ø Homopolymer: 180-230°C
Ø Copolymer: 190-210°C
Ø Mold Temperature: 50-150°C.
Ø Injection Pressure: 70-120 MPa
Ø Injection Speed: Medium to High

Extrusion:
Extrusion is used to produce semi-furnished parts like sheets, rods, pipes, fimalents,
profile sections etc.

Melt Temperature: 180-230°C

•Screw Speed: 33-42
•Die Temperature: 175-230°C

Manufacturing process of Polyacetal

Pure Wash Vaccum Drying Pyrolysis 1

formaldehy
de = 800C 1500C-1600C
2
Cold
-15 0C
Tank
3

Initiator Stabilizer
4

Reactor Filteration Filteration

Removal of pre-
Acetone polymerised product

Heptane Solvent
wash Wash Dryer = 800C

Polyacetal

https://www.thescienceedu.in
 Characteristics of POM (for identification)

The characteristics of POM are,

Ø The material is semicrystalline and maintain high dimensional stability and it is

sensitive to UV light.
Ø It is opaque.
Ø It is identified by the strong smell of formaldehyde, when burned, faint color
flame, melt and drips.
Ø Its melting point is 165-175°C.
Ø Its short term and long term service temperatures are respectively 160 - 140°C
and 90 - 100°C.

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Properties of Polyacetals (special features)

The principal features of acetal resins leading to commercial application may be

summarized as follows.

Ø Stiffness
Ø Fatigue endurance
Ø Resistance to creep
Ø Low co-efficient of friction
Ø Good appearance

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 Properties of Polyacetal
Properties Values

Units Homopolymer Copolymer

Specific gravity ---- 1.42 1.41

Tensile strength MPa 69 61
Tensile modulus MPa 3100 2829
Flexural modulus Mpa 2620-2960 2588
Elongation at break % 27-75 40-75
Impact strength izod, Notched, J/m 69-123 53-80
Hardness M92-94 M78-80
0
Deflection temperature under load C 136 110
(1.82 Mpa)
0
Vicat softening temperature C 185 167
0 -5
Coefficient of linear expansion mm/mm/ C 10-15 x 10 8.5

Water absorption, 24hrs % 0.25-0.32 0.22

Dielectric strength KV/mm 20 20
Dielectric constant 10-6 Hz 3.7 3.7
Power factor 0.005 0.006
Volume resistivity Ohm.m 10-13 - 10-14 -
0
Melting point C 175 165

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Benefits of Acetal Resins Over Metals and Other Thermoplastics

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 Limitation with Polyacetal

Ø Poor resistance to strong acids, bases and oxidizing agents;

Ø Burns easily without flame retardants due to high oxygen content;
Ø Poor thermal stability without suitable stabilizer system;
Ø Limited processing temperature range;
Ø High mold shrinkage;
Ø Poor resistance to UV radiation. Prolonged exposure lead to color change,
enbrittlement, and loss of strength;
Ø Low surface energy and hence difficult to bond without surface treatment.

Additives & Fillers and their effects

Ø Short fiberglass - enhance strength and toughness.

Ø Mixtures with fluorocarbons - lead to good surface lubricity to prevent

cracking.

Ø 10-40% glass fiber, glass beads or other mineral fillers - Increase stiffness and
strength;

Ø Crosslinked rubber– improve melt flow in the tool. (For thin-walled parts);

Ø Powdered aluminum or bronze - improved electrical conductivity and heat

distortion point;

Ø Talc filler or other heat sinking inorganic filler - reduce the amount of warp;
however, it is at the cost of reduced impact strength.
 Additives & Fillers and their effects

Ø Filling with MoS2 - reduces the difference between the static and dynamic coefficient
of friction.
Ø Addition of chalk - improves the unlubricated abrasion resistance. The flexural fatigue
strength is also significantly increased.

Ø Addition of PTFE - exploits the good slip properties of this material and the high
mechanical strength of POM.

Ø Addition of oil – improves the slip characteristics of standard POM grades

- increase the heat distortion temperature and electrical conductivity.

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Applications

Ø In most applications, polyacetal serves as a replacement for other

materials
ü Aluminum, Steel, die-cast zinc, Brass, Bronze, Copper
Ø Application due to low moisture absorptivity
ü Shower Heads, Garden Hose Nozzles
üIrrigation gates , Pumps, Faucets

ØPolyacetal use contributes to a reduction in

üIndustrial noise
üThe need for metal lubricants

Detergent pumps
 Applications

Ø Applications due to good solvent resistance

üCarburetors
üPipe fittings
üValve fittings
üFuel system components

Ø Applications due to good dimensional stability

üSmall gears
üCams
üTool handles
üZippers

Gears

Typical Applications of Acetal Resins

Ø Automotive applications
- include fuel-system and seat-belt components, steering Shower
columns, window-support brackets, and handles.
Ø Plumbing applications
- shower heads, ballcocks, faucet cartridges, and various
fittings.

Gear wheels

Automotive parts
 Typical Applications of Acetal Resins

Automotive – Fuel Systems and Interior Applications

- include fuel caps, fuel filler necks, fuel sender units (e.g. flanges or swirl pot),
lifetime filter, valves, fuel pumps, and fuel rails, among many others.

Vapor Control Valves

Fuel Rails Fuel Suppli Unit

Typical Applications of Acetal Resins

Automotive - Interior Appearance

Ø Polyacetal used as automotive interior appearance parts
ü To meet the current trends in automotive interiors for soft, warm finishes
ü Durable low-gloss surface
ü Resistant to cleaning solutions
ü Excellent dimensional stability
ü Provides design flexibility

Seatbelt Adjuster Car lock HVAC Control Automotive Clip

Speaker Grille
Panel Knob
 Typical Applications of Acetal Resins

Medical /Dental uses

§ Artificial heart valves Dry Powder Inhaler

§ Artificial hip joint

§ “Dental D” resin used in removal partial dentures
ü Good alternative to chrome- cobalt dentures
ü Mechanical strength
Electrical Tooth Brush
ü Biocompatibility
ü Enhance aesthetic properties

Insulin Syringe

Applications
Consumer Products
Toys soap dispensers , combs, filter bodies and valves, aerosol containers and valves, pen
and pencil barrels and tips, mascara wands & containers, sprayer pumps, nozzles and
pump components for dental cleaners.

Lip stick holder Air curtain system

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 Applications

Industrial
Valves, springs, bearings, cams, material handling components such as conveyors, chain
links gears, pumps and hose connectors

Conveyor chain
Gears
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Applications

Electrical
Switches, buttons, cassette tape rollers and hubs, base plates in computer keyboards,
springs in telephones and connectors in modular components.

Laser mark part HVAC Control

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 List of Manufacturers/Suppliers of Polyacetal

Homopolymer

Copolymer

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