One of the most popular Thermoplastic materials, POM is used in many industries, such as automobiles, consumer goods, health care, and other industries. So what is POM material? What kind of performance and advantages does it have? In the following articles, we will explain these characteristics.
What is Pom Material?
- POM belongs to the formaldehyde family ,also commonly known as acetal, is a formaldehyde-based, semi-crystalline engineering thermoplastic. POM is known as polymethylene glycol, polyoxymethylene glycol, and polyformaldehyde. It is 100% recyclable. POM is considered an ideal thermoplastic for producing products with high dimensional stability and slithering properties. As its phenomenal blend of mechanical and chemical properties, it is also a good replacement for metal replacement.
- Homopolymer and Copolymer two different variations of POM having different properties and applications from each other. And Let us find the comparision for the homopolymer and Copolymer in below:
| Acetal Homopolymer | Acetal Copolymer |
| Greater regularity in their structure | Supreme long term performance in terms of creep resistance, strength, fatigue |
| Shorter molding cycelss | Faster molding cycles |
| Offers greater mechanical properties | More stability in alkaline environments |
| Avaible in multiple viscocity range | Wider processing window |
| Can help in cost reductions | meager mold deposits |
| Stiffer and stronger in unfilled form | Minimal release of gassing and odor |
| Allow slimmer and lighter part designs and geometries | Long term quality in color maintenance |
Why does POM have a white and black color?
POM materials are generally white, but POM materials are formed by the polymerization of formaldehyde, so its main ingredient is formaldehyde, which is produced when the smell is formaldehyde. About the black POM material, it is in the white POM on the basis of adding the color masterbatch suitable for POM blending.
What are the characteristics of POM material?
- Pom is a kind of tough and elastic material, which has good creep resistance, geometric stability and impact resistance even at low temperature.
- POM has both homopolymers and copolymers.
- Homopolymers have good tensile strength and fatigue resistance, but they are not easy to be processed.
- The copolymer material has good thermal stability, chemical stability and machinability.
- Both homopolymers and copolymers are crystalline materials that do not readily absorb moisture.
- The high crystallinity of POM results in a shrinkage of 2% ~ 3.5% . The shrinkage of various reinforcing materials is different.
Processing temperature of POM material
- The temperature of POM material is divided into several parts: drying temperature, mold temperature, processing temperature, heat-resistant temperature, thermal deformation temperature
- Drying temperature: 80 °C for 2 to 4 hours
- Mold Temperature: 80 to 100 °C
- Processing Temperature: copolymerized 180 °C homopolymer 190 °C
- Heat resistant temperature: heat resistant 110 °C cold resistant temperature can reach minus 50 °C
- Deformation temperature: HDT 155 °C softening point 150 °C
- Note: long-term use temperature reference POM heat resistance temperature (referred to as high temperature tolerance)If the requirements of high temperature resistance products, it is recommended to choose homopolyformaldehyde, higher temperature resistance than copolymerization.
Advantages of POM materials
- Excellent mechanical properties over a temperature range upto 140°C, down to -40°C
- High tensile strength, rigidity, toughness for short term
- Low-tendency to creep and fatigue.
- The high degree of crystallinity and impressive dimensional stability.
- Excellent wear resistance
- Low coefficient of friction
- Decent resistance to organic solvents(except phenol)
- Low smoke emission
- Highly polished surfaces
- Low moisture absorption
Limitation of POM material
- Poor resistance to strong acids, bases and oxidizing agents.
- Quickly burning without flame retardants due to high oxygen content
- Poor thermal stability under non-suitable stabilizer system
- Limited processing temperature range
- High mold shrinkage
- Poor Resistance to UV radiation may lead to color degradation and loss of strength.
- Low surface energy and hence difficult to bond without surface treatment
Technical POM is used for thousands of products due to its high quality, exceptional resistance, ease in processing and design flexibility. From automotive spare parts to gears, hinges, locks and dozens of other applications. The fact that it is waterproof means that POM can be used in kitchens, bathrooms and for parts that need to be bathed in oil for long periods of time (typically, some motor parts).
The material is used in:
- Food industry
- Electrotechnical industry
- Automobile industry
- Packaging industry
- Dairy industry
- Meat processing industry
- Engineering industry
- Application: POM is normally used for machinery parts and transmission components because of its nice mechanical properties, below we list out some general usages of ABS resin
- Automotive: fuel supply unit, fuel rails, or interior accessories such as seat belt buckle, seat belt adjuster, dashboard interior components, trunk organizer buckle, trunk cargo fastening net hook, etc.
- Mechanic equipment: gearwheel, bearing, water pipeline valve, pipe couplings,
- Entertainment: plastic buckles for outdoor mountaineering accessories, camping gear, or luggage locking secure belt strap, etc.
- Garment & Accessories: work wear, tool belt, sports wear, backpack buckle, or shoelace buckle, cord stopper, snap fastener, etc.
- Military: tactical belt and vest, police equipment(gun sling), multiple selections of strong heavy-duty buckle which can afford higher level of tensile strength
- Others: including stationary, pet collar buckle, pet leash, baby chair, baby stroller, etc.
Is POM toxic?
In solid form, no. In fact, Acetal is often used in food processing equipment and manufacturing. Acetal can be toxic if inhaled and/or absorbed into the skin or eyes as a vapor or liquid. Be careful and closely follow handling instructions for molten polymer in particular.
The increase rate of the global Polyacetal resin market will be 7.9% between 2019 and 2025 from the Zion Market Research. And the long-term growth prospect for polyacetal seems bright and industrial and consumer goods sectors can also lend good support from growth in North America and Europe. Especially China leads the world in POM consumption with more than half of market share.
