REDCO™ ACETAL
Due to the excellent machinability of Redco™ Acetal (aka Delrin®), there are very few considerations when machining the material:
- The highest possible cutting speed should be chosen.
- Optimum chip removal must be ensured so that the chips are not drawn-in by the tool.
- The tools that are used must be very sharp. Blunt tools can cause extreme heat, which results in deformation and thermal expansion.
- The clamping pressures must not be too high as this would result in deformation of the work piece and the clamping tool would leave marks in the work piece.
- The work piece must be adequately supported on the machine table and should lie as flat as possible.
- High quality surfaces can only be obtained when the machine operates with low vibration.
- More machinable than most brass or aluminum alloys
- Typically unnecessary to use cutting aids such as oils or water
Drilling
- Standard twist drills are ideal for drilling acetal.
- Plastic drills work as well, though if the leading edges are flat, the drill lip angle should be modified to cut instead of scrape
- When drilling at high rates, coolant is recommended. If coolants aren’t used, periodic drill withdrawal is recommended to prevent overheating.
Threading / Tapping
- Conventional Equipment Works Well
- When using semi-automatic or automatic equipment, self-opening dies with high-speed chasers can be used
- Though coolant and lubricant is not necessary, it may help with very high-speed operations
- When cutting on a lathe, conventional single-pointed tools can be used
- Several successive cuts of 0,15 to 0,25mm should be made
- Due to the resiliency of acetal, finish cuts should be no less than 0,15mm
- It is recommended to use a follow rest or support when threading long threads of rod stock
Blanking / Punching
- Stamping or punching acetal will prove more economical for producing small, flat objects such as grommets and washers
- With hand or power operated presses, conventional dies are to be used
- If well-made dies are used, acetal can be punched or blanked cleanly at high speeds
- Pre-heating the sheet will prevent cracking from occurring