UHMW
Sliding surfaces for guide rails, wear strips and repeated product contact.
Sustained load and heat can change the fit, especially along a long rail.
Plastic material selection
Machinable plastics for the way your part works.
A sliding guide, loaded bushing and chemical-service manifold ask different things of a plastic. Compare materials by the conditions your part will face, then explore the machining and grade considerations.
CDS CNC machines customer-specified parts and supplies plastic stock shapes. These general material comparisons support your engineering team’s selection; the approved drawing and material callout establish the machining requirements.
Photography plannedEngineered-plastic shapes
Eight plastics, different strengths
Use the part’s main demand to narrow the material choice. The exact grade and operating conditions still determine whether a candidate is suitable.
Acetal (Delrin)
Detailed bores, roller sleeves and sliding parts where moisture-related movement matters.
The acetal type, temperature and load still affect dimensional stability.
Nylon
Loaded wear components, bushings and rollers where toughness is useful.
Moisture can change dimensions between machining, assembly and service.
PTFE (Teflon)
Sealing and sliding components where chemistry, temperature or friction drives the choice.
Sustained load can deform the material; the exact compound and support matter.
PEEK
Parts facing hot load, steam or other demanding conditions that may rule out an alternative.
Grade and machining requirements determine suitability and quoted cost.
HDPE
Skid plates, chute liners and non-load-bearing guides with less demanding wear duty.
Compare UHMW as abrasion or impact becomes more severe.
PVDF (Kynar)
Dosing manifolds and fluid-path parts exposed to demanding chemistry.
Chemical exposure, connections and supporting walls must work together.
ULTEM
Equipment and instrument parts with thermal or electrical-isolation requirements.
Insulation, static control and flame behavior require separate grade-specific checks.
These pages cover selected machinable plastics, not a complete inventory. Exact brands, grades, forms, sizes and availability need confirmation.
What affects plastic material selection?
The most useful starting point is the part’s function and the condition that could make it wear out, lose fit or fail.
- Wear and friction
- The mating surface, motion, lubrication and debris influence sliding wear. A low-friction plastic can still generate heat or wear under load.
- Load and support
- A brief impact, continuous rotation and sustained compression impose different demands. Stiffness, creep and support matter alongside initial strength.
- Temperature and fit
- Normal temperature, excursions and frictional heat can change dimensions. Long lengths, thin sections and tight interfaces need particular attention.
- Moisture and chemicals
- Humidity, immersion and cleaning can affect materials differently. Chemical identity, concentration, exposure time and temperature belong together.
- Part function
- A seal, guide, structural support and electrical insulator have different acceptance requirements. A material suitable for one function may not suit another.
- Grade and documentation
- Food-contact, detectable, electrical, flame and purity requirements apply to specific grades and uses. A family name or color does not establish compliance.
Photography plannedReplacement component and mating features
One part, several operating conditions
- ContactThe mating surface, motion and debris influence wear.
- Load and heatSupport, time and temperature influence movement.
- ExposureMoisture, chemicals and cleaning can change the material choice.
A manufacturer’s grade data supports material screening. Finished-part performance also depends on geometry, machining, installation and operating conditions. A worn sample alone cannot establish its original resin, unworn dimensions or failure cause.
Continue with the question you need answered
Comparing familiar materials
Machined part or stock material?
Browse machined plastic parts when the component is clearer than the resin. For stock shapes, blanks and discs, use Material Distribution.
A metal-detection or X-ray-inspection requirement also needs the Detectable Plastics information alongside the base-material choice.
Explore CDS plastic machining services for milling, turning and replacement work.
Have a plastic part to quote?
Share your drawing and revision, specified material and grade, critical dimensions, quantity and needed date. Identify required inspection or material documents. For an existing part with missing records, describe what you have and which details remain unresolved; contact CDS before arranging a sample delivery.