Burrs On Engineering Grade Plastics

Burrs can be created during machining on engineering grade plastics. Burrs are unwanted pieces of material that can be left on the edges of machined parts after manufacturing. Burrs can be caused by a variety of factors, including the type of machining process, the cutting tool geometry, the material being machined, as well as the age & sharpness of the tooling used.

Engineering grade plastics, such as Teflon, PEEK, and nylon, are commonly used in applications where high performance is required in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and medical device. However, these materials can be difficult to machine due to their high strength and toughness. The machining processes used to shape these materials can create burrs, which can negatively impact the performance or appearance of the part, not to mention their overall functionality.

In order to minimize the formation of burrs during machining, various techniques can be employed. Some of the techniques include optimizing the cutting parameters, using sharp cutting tools, and using specialized machining techniques. These techniques can help to reduce or eliminate the formation of burrs on engineering grade plastics, resulting in higher quality parts with better performance characteristics.

Plastic Deburring Options

Teflon, PEEK, and other engineering plastics can be cryogenically deburred or dry ice deburred to remove residual burrs leftover from machining operations.

Cryogenic deburring is a process that uses gaseous nitrogen to cool down the parts to cold temperatures. This makes the burrs become brittle and allows them to be easily removed from the parts. The parts are tumbled and blasted with polycarbonate media while cold to remove the burrs. Cryogenic deburring can be used on a wide range of plastic materials, including engineering plastics like Teflon and PEEK.

Dry ice deburring is a process that uses dry ice particles to remove burrs from parts. Dry ice deburring can also be used on engineering plastics like Teflon and PEEK as well. The process is similar to cryogenic deburring, but it uses dry ice particles blasted at the parts to make the burrs brittle and ultimately remove them.

Both cryogenic and dry ice plastic deburring are effective for removing burrs from complex and delicate parts without damaging their surfaces. These processes can also be automated for high-volume production. However, it is worth noting that dry ice deburring at the job shop level is not an automated process and requires one part to be deburred at a time. This means that cryogenic deburring is typically the most cost-effective option since it is a batch process.

Cryogenic Deburring

Cryogenic deburring is a process used to remove burrs or sharp edges from plastic or die cast parts using a gaseous nitrogen atmosphere. During cryogenic deburring, the parts are placed in a chamber and cooled to low temperatures using gaseous nitrogen. The low temperature causes the burrs to become brittle and then they can then be easily removed by tumbling and blasting the parts with polycarbonate media.

This plastic deburring process is effective for removing burrs from complex and delicate parts and can be used on a wide range of materials including engineering grade plastics. Cryogenic deburring is largely automated and is ideal for high-volume production. It is also environmentally friendly and considered a green technology since it doesn’t use any harmful chemicals or produce any waste other than the burrs removed.

Dry Ice Deburring

Dry ice deburring is a process used to remove burrs or sharp edges from metal or plastic parts using dry ice particles. Dry ice particles are accelerated by compressed air and directed at the part’s surface where the burrs are located. The cold temperature of the dry ice (-109.3°F) causes the burrs to become brittle and break off from the part while being blasted. This process is similar to sandblasting, but it uses dry ice instead of an abrasive media like sand.

Dry ice deburring is effective for removing burrs from complex and delicate parts. This process is ideal for large and high value parts. It is a clean and environmentally friendly process, as the dry ice particles sublimate (turn directly into gas) upon contact with the part, leaving no residue or waste behind. The dry ice is made of recycled carbon dioxide so no new gasses are produced.

No-Cost Deburring Proof Of Concept

Want to send your engineering grade plastic machined parts for a no-cost deburring proof of concept? Learn more by calling us at (508) 459-7447 or email us at info@nitrofreeze.com.