Deflashing Delrin Molded Parts

Introduction

Delrin is a brand name for a type of thermoplastic material called polyoxymethylene, also known as POM. POM is a high-performance plastic that is characterized by its excellent stiffness, low friction, and resistance to abrasion and impact.

Delrin is often used in applications where high strength, stiffness, and dimensional stability are required. It is commonly used in the production of gears, bearings, electrical components, automotive parts, and other industrial applications.

Some of the benefits of Delrin include its excellent machinability, good resistance to chemicals and solvents, and its ability to withstand high temperatures. Additionally, Delrin has a low coefficient of friction, making it an ideal material for applications where low friction and wear resistance are critical.

Molding Delrin Parts

Delrin is typically molded into parts using injection molding. This manufacturing process involves injecting molten plastic into a mold cavity under high pressure. The molten plastic is then cooled and solidified, resulting in a finished Delrin part.

Here are the basic steps involved in the injection molding process for Delrin:

1. Material Preparation: Delrin is supplied to the injection molding machine in the form of small pellets or granules. These pellets are usually dried before they are fed into the machine to remove any moisture that may affect the quality of the finished part.
2. Injection: The pellets are fed into the injection molding machine where they are melted and injected into a mold cavity under high pressure. The mold is designed to the desired shape of the finished part.
3. Cooling: Once the molten plastic has been injected into the mold cavity, it is allowed to cool and solidify. This process is usually controlled by a cooling system that circulates water or oil through the mold to ensure that the plastic cools evenly.
4. Ejection: Once the plastic has cooled and solidified, the mold is opened and the finished part is ejected from the mold cavity. This is usually done using ejector pins or a mechanical ejector system.
5. Finishing: The finished part may require additional finishing operations such as trimming, deburring, or surface treatment to achieve the desired final shape and appearance.

Injection molding is a highly efficient and cost-effective method for producing high-quality Delrin parts with consistent and repeatable results part to part.

Applications of Delrin Material

Some common parts that are molded out of Delrin include:

1. Gears and bearings: Delrin’s high stiffness, low friction, and excellent wear resistance make it an ideal material for producing gears and bearings used in mechanical and automotive applications.
2. Electrical components: The material’s good electrical properties and resistance to moisture and chemicals make it a suitable material for producing electrical components such as connectors and switches.
3. Automotive parts: It is used in the production of various automotive parts such as fuel system components, door handles, and seat belt components due to its ability to withstand high temperatures and resistance to impact and abrasion.
4. Medical devices: This material’s biocompatibility and ability to withstand repeated sterilization make it an excellent material for producing medical devices such as surgical instruments and dental tools.
5. Consumer goods: Delrin’s toughness, impact resistance, and ability to be colored and textured make it a popular material for producing various consumer goods such as toys, handles, and luggage components.

Overall, Delrin’s combination of mechanical properties, electrical properties, and chemical resistance makes it a material that can be used to produce a wide range of parts.

Cryogenic Deflashing Delrin Parts

Cryogenic deflashing can be used to remove flash and other excess material from Delrin molded parts. Cryogenic deflashing is a process that uses a gaseous nitrogen atmosphere to freeze parts to a low temperature, based on the glass transition point of the material. Once the parts are frozen the flash becomes brittle. The parts are then tumbled in a chamber and blasted with polycarbonate media. These three mechanisms combine to remove the flash from the parts.

Cryogenic deflashing is a popular method for removing flash from molded parts because it is fast, efficient, and non-abrasive. The process does not damage the surface of the parts or affect their mechanical properties. Additionally, cryogenic deflashing can be used to remove flash from complex parts with intricate geometries, which can be difficult to remove using hand trimming or other methods.

However, it’s important to note that cryogenic deflashing may not be suitable for all types of Delrin parts, as some parts may be too brittle or have thin walls that could crack or deform under the stress of the process. Therefore, it’s important to consult with an experienced cryogenic deflashing service provider, such as Nitrofreeze Cryogenic Solutions to determine if this method is suitable for your Delrin part design.

Are you interested in sending your Delrin molded part samples for a no-cost deflashing evaluation? Please contact us at (508) 459-7447X105 or email us at info@nitrofreeze.com to learn more.