New POM vs Recycled POM: How to Select the Right material ?

What is POM material ?

Polyoxymethylene (POM), is known as acetal, POM is a versatile engineering plastic which has mechanical properties. As POM is a common plastic raw materials widely used in plastic injection molding manufacturing, as the increasing of enviromental protection awareness, more and more compaines are intend to use recycled POM to instead of new POM, is this feasible ? In this blog, we will explain the advantages, disadvantages, and key differences between new POM and recycled POM materials.

Properties of POM material:

1. High Mechanical Strength: POM exhibits excellent mechanical strength, providing high tensile strength, stiffness, and impact resistance, making it suitable for applications requiring structural integrity and load-bearing capabilities.
2. Good Wear Resistance: POM has good wear resistance, making it suitable for applications involving sliding or rubbing contact, such as gears, bearings, and conveyor components.
3. Dimensional Stability: POM demonstrates excellent dimensional stability, maintaining tight tolerances and precise dimensions over a wide range of temperatures and environmental conditions.
4. Chemical Resistance: POM exhibits resistance to a wide range of chemicals, including solvents, fuels, oils, and lubricants, making it suitable for applications in chemically aggressive environments.
5. Good Electrical Insulation Properties: POM has good electrical insulation properties, making it suitable for applications in electrical and electronic components where electrical insulation is required.
6. Low Water Absorption: POM has low water absorption, resulting in minimal dimensional changes and excellent performance in wet or humid environments.
7. Excellent Machinability: POM is easily machinable, allowing for intricate designs and tight tolerances to be achieved with precision machining processes such as milling, turning, and drilling.
8. Good Surface Finish: POM exhibits a smooth surface finish, making it suitable for applications requiring aesthetic appeal or low friction surfaces.

Mechanical Properties of POM material

Property	POM-Homopolymer (POM-H)	POM-Copolymer (POM-C)
Tensile Strength	70-80 MPa	60-70 MPa
Flexural Modulus	2.8-3.2 GPa	2.5-3.0 GPa
Impact Strength (Notched)	5-8 kJ/m²	7-12 kJ/m²
Hardness (Rockwell M)	85-90	80-85
Elongation at Break	10-20%	20-30%

 

 

 

Applications of POM

·  Automotive Industry: POM is extensively used in the automotive sector for manufacturing various components including gears, fuel system parts, door handles, seatbelt buckles, and dashboard components. Its high strength, low friction coefficient, and excellent dimensional stability make it ideal for demanding automotive applications.

·  Electronics Components: POM is employed in the production of electrical connectors, insulating components, switch parts, and housings for electronic devices. Its excellent electrical insulation properties, chemical resistance, and durability make it a preferred choice for electrical applications.

·  Consumer Products: POM finds wide-ranging applications in the consumer goods industry for producing items such as zippers, fasteners, handles, and mechanical parts for appliances, toys, and tools. Its high stiffness, toughness, and resistance to abrasion contribute to its suitability for consumer product applications.

·  Industrial Machinery and Equipment: POM is utilized in industrial settings for manufacturing gears, bearings, rollers, conveyor belts, pump parts, and other mechanical components. Its low friction coefficient, self-lubricating properties, and resistance to chemicals and wear make it valuable in industrial applications.

 Comparation of New POM and Recycled POM

Criteria	New POM Material	Recycled POM Material
Advantages	High purity, consistent properties	Reduced environmental impact, resource conservation
	Better mechanical properties
	Excellent dimensional stability
Disadvantages	Higher cost, reliance on fossil fuels	Variable quality depending on recycling process
	Environmental concerns during production	Potential impurities from previous use
	Limited sustainability	Lower mechanical properties after recycling
Technical Parameters
Density (g/cm^3)	1.41 - 1.43	1.39 - 1.42
Tensile Strength (MPa)	55 - 75	45 - 60
Melting Point (°C)	165 - 175	165 - 175
Water Absorption (%)	0.2 - 0.5	0.5 - 1.5
Thermal Conductivity (W/mK)	0.24 - 0.36	0.24 - 0.36

 

 

Key Differences between New POM and Recycled POM

1. Quality and Consistency: New POM offers consistent quality and properties, while recycled POM may exhibit variability in properties due to its recycled nature.
2. Environmental Impact: New POM has a higher environmental impact due to manufacturing processes, whereas recycled POM promotes environmental sustainability by reducing waste and conserving resources.
3. Cost and Availability: New POM may have a higher cost but wider availability, while recycled POM offers cost savings but may be less readily available depending on local recycling infrastructure.

Conclusion

Both new POM and recycled POM have their advantages and disadvantages. new POM offers consistent properties and high performance but may come with environmental concerns and higher costs. recycled POM, while promoting sustainability and resource conservation, may have quality and performance limitations, making it suitable for certain applications but not others. Ultimately, the choice between new and recycled POM should consider factors such as performance requirements, cost considerations, environmental goals, and overall sustainability objectives.

Dongguan Universe Plastic has abundant experience in plastic injection molding field, with over 15 years of expertise in the design and production of custom plastic parts like POM injection molded parts. We specialize in delivering high-quality injection molds and plastic parts at affordable price. If you are seeking low-cost, high-quality injection molds and customized plastic parts, please get in touch with us. we are dedicated to providing perfect solutions to meet your specific requirements.

For inquiries or further information, please contact us!