Engineering plastics now at Edcon Steel

Edcon Steel is now stocking a range of engineering plastics, available for purchase online and in selected stores. The plastics can be purchased by the stock length or custom cut to size. As we are not stocking the product at all locations, please ensure you contact your nearest Edcon Steel store before coming into the store.

Engineering plastics, such as acetal (Sustarin®) and polyamide (Sustamid®), are strong and hard plastics that come to replace traditional engineering materials, such as metal and ceramics, in many applications. Often surpassing traditional materials in strength and weight, engineering plastics are much easier and more cost-effective to manufacture.

Types of engineering plastics

Acetal (Sustarin®), also known as polyoxymethylene (POM) or polyacetal, is a general-purpose, engineered thermoplastic that is extremely strong and hard. Acetal is a semi-crystalline plastic with a sharp melting point, which means it will not gradually soften as the temperature increases. Instead, it will remain solid until the melting point is reached, at which point it quickly changes from a solid into a low-viscosity or thin liquid.

Properties

Excellent dimensional stability
Excellent machinability
Hardness, strength and rigidity
Good chemical resistance
Low coefficient of friction

Acetal is commonly used in precision parts requiring low friction, high stiffness, and good dimensional stability (i.e. maintains its original dimensions when it is exposed to changes in temperature and humidity), such as:

Precision Parts
High Performance Engineering Components
Gear Wheels
Ball Bearings
Ski Bindings
Fasteners
Knife Handles
Lock Systems

Polyamide (Sustamid®)

Polyamide (Sustamid®) is a partially crystalline thermoplastic nylon. Due to its good mechanical strength, abrasion resistance, and low friction properties, it is known as the workhorse of engineering plastics.

Properties:

Excellent abrasion resistance
Very good mechanical strength
Very good chemical, thermal and low friction properties
Excellent bearing material
Excellent short-term and long-term heat resistance

Applications:

Sliding Parts
Cable Winches
Lifting Gears
Rope Pulleys
Conveyor Stars
Spiral Conveyors
Insulation bushing
Gears & Sprockets
Crane pulleys ( sheaves )

Edcon Steel’s range of acetal products

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