POM: The Versatile Engineering Plastic You Should Know About
Have you ever wondered about the materials that make up the everyday objects around you? One such material is POM, also known as polyoxymethylene. This engineering plastic has gained popularity in various industries due to its exceptional properties. Let’s delve into the details of POM and understand why it’s a material you should be aware of.
What is POM?
POM, or polyoxymethylene, is a thermoplastic polymer made from the monomer formaldehyde. It is known for its high strength, rigidity, and excellent mechanical properties. POM is often referred to as “polyacetal” and is available in two main types: homopolymer POM and copolymer POM.
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Homopolymer POM | Produced by polymerizing formaldehyde alone, it offers high rigidity, hardness, and strength. It also exhibits excellent wear resistance and chemical resistance. |
| Copolymer POM | Manufactured by combining formaldehyde with other copolymer monomers like acrylonitrile or isophorone. It provides higher toughness and impact strength but sacrifices some rigidity. |
Properties of POM
POM boasts several remarkable properties that make it a preferred choice in various applications:
- Excellent Mechanical Properties: POM exhibits properties similar to metals, such as high rigidity, strength, and hardness. It can withstand heavy loads and is suitable for applications requiring high mechanical strength.
- Superior Wear Resistance: POM has excellent wear resistance, making it ideal for applications involving continuous movement and friction.
- Good Chemical Resistance: POM is highly resistant to many organic solvents, fuels, and lubricants, as well as certain chemicals.
- Low Water Absorption: POM has a very low water absorption rate, allowing it to maintain its physical properties and dimensional stability in moist environments.
- Good Processing Properties: POM has good fluidity and processing properties, making it suitable for various molding techniques such as injection molding.
Applications of POM
Due to its exceptional properties, POM finds applications in numerous industries:
- Automotive Industry: POM is used in various automotive components, such as engine parts, transmission components, and safety姘斿泭.
- Electronics Industry: Its excellent electrical insulation and corrosion resistance make it ideal for manufacturing electronic components like keyboard switches, connectors, and sockets.
- Home Appliances: POM is used in home appliances, such as window fittings, furniture handles, and faucets, thanks to its high hardness and durability.
- Machinery and Equipment: POM is used in mechanical transmission systems, gears, and bearings due to its low friction coefficient, high strength, and wear resistance.
Advantages of POM
POM offers several advantages over other materials, making it a preferred choice in various applications:
- High Hardness and Dense Surface: POM has a high surface hardness and dense surface, providing excellent wear resistance and fatigue resistance.
- Good Impact Resistance: POM has good impact resistance, making it suitable for applications requiring shock absorption.
- Excellent Self-Lubricating and Rigid Properties: POM has self-lubricating properties, reducing the need for additional lubrication in many applications.
- Good Dimensional Stability: POM maintains its dimensions well, ensuring consistent performance over time.
- Good Dielectric Properties: POM has low dielectric constant and dielectric loss, making it suitable for electrical applications.
Limitations of POM
While POM offers numerous advantages, it also has some limitations:
- Sensitivity to Acids and Alkalis: POM is sensitive to acids and alkalis, which can cause