While manufacturing heavy-duty machinery parts, choosing the right materials is crucial to ensure optimal performance. Industries like mining, agriculture, medicine, and construction require respective equipment that can withstand heat, impact, abrasion, and chemical exposure without compromising the delivery.
For a long time, metals have been the default choice for their strength and durability. However, engineering plastics are proving their value across a wide range of industrial applications these days. Their lighter weight, corrosion resistance, self-lubricating properties, and ability to perform under demanding wear conditions are helping to reduce maintenance cycles, improve efficiency, and extend service life.
In this article, we will go through some of the most reliable engineering plastics for heavy-duty machinery parts.
UHMWPE: The Go-To for Impact and Abrasion Resistance
(Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethene) UHMWPE plastic is exceptionally tough and highly resistant to abrasion. Its low coefficient of friction allows it to perform well in dry, sliding applications, particularly where metal-on-metal wear is a concern.
It also absorbs impact energy without cracking or deforming. It’s the material of choice when reliability under physical stress matters more than structural rigidity. However, UHMWPE is not dimensionally stable under load or heat, so it is not suitable for high-precision or heavy structural components.
Common Uses of UHMWPE:
- UHMWPE is commonly used in plastic hoppers and chute liners to prevent sticking and wear.
- UHMWPE plastic is the best material for chain guides and wear pads as it reduces friction in mechanical systems.
- Due to its excellent impact and surface resistance, it’s used for bushings and bumpers in machinery and automobiles.
- It’s widely used in agricultural and mining equipment for handling abrasive material.
Nylon: Strong, Versatile, and Load-Bearing
Nylon plastic is a unique material that balances strength, stiffness, and machinability. Its high tensile strength and toughness allow it to carry heavy loads, even under different operational environments.
Additionally, it performs reliably with minimal lubrication, making it perfect for machinery components in which constant maintenance is not feasible. Likewise, this engineering plastic is less prone to fatigue compared to many other thermoplastics. One limitation is that nylon absorbs moisture, which can affect its dimensional stability in humid or wet environments.
All in all, nylon plastic is a top pick for creating structural parts that are exposed to stress, vibration, and wear over time.
Common Uses of Nylon:
- Nylon is commonly used in gears of heavy-duty machinery as they have excellent load-carrying capacity.
- Nylon is perfect for rollers and pulleys as they can handle loads in motion and reduce friction.
- They maintain dimensional strength, which makes them a go-to option for structural conveyor components.
- Being easier to process and fabricate, Nylon can replace metals in mounting brackets and housings.
Acetal (POM): Precision, Stability, and Chemical Resistance
Acetal plastic is a widely used material in manufacturing that requires precision and dimensional stability. Due to its low friction and rigidity, it is the right choice for producing machinery parts that move frequently.
Moreover, its chemical and corrosion resistance make it a reliable choice for heavy-duty applications in chemically exposed environments.
In a nutshell, Acetal offers an optimal balance of strength, machinability, and moisture resistance for machinery that requires consistent, low-tolerance performance, especially in moving parts.
Common Uses of Acetal:
- Acetal is widely used for making pump and valve components due to its moisture and chemical-resistant properties.
- They show minimal wear even when used continuously, making it a good option for manufacturing plastic bearings and slide rails.
- These plastics do not show brittleness. As a result, they are used to make fasteners and spacers for machinery.
PEEK: For Extreme Conditions and Critical Components
Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK) is a high-performance thermoplastic exhibiting resistance to extreme temperatures and chemical exposure. Due to this nature, PEEK plastics are used for manufacturing high-duty applications.
It resists high temperatures up to 250 degrees Celsius and chemical exposure without degrading. Although PEEK is more expensive than other plastics, it delivers reliability during heavy operation.
Common Uses of PEEK:
- PEEK has a lower density (~1.3 g/cm³) compared to metals, making it a lighter alternative for aerospace and other applications where weight reduction is critical.
- PEEK plastics are made for high-pressure and chemically exposed environments; suitable for pipelines and pipeline seals in the oil and gas industry.
- They are used in medicine for making parts that require constant sterilisation at high temperatures.
- Industrial parts with thermal cycle applications can be created with PEEK to withstand extremely hot temperatures.
In conclusion, every piece of heavy-duty equipment demands the use of unique materials depending on its functions and use cases. So, choosing the right plastic will determine its durability, efficiency, and overall performance.
Engineering plastics like UHMWPE, nylon, acetal, and PEEK offer great utility in improving machine efficiency, uptime, and overall resilience. The key is knowing the properties of each plastic and understanding how those properties align with real-world operating conditions.
If you are looking for engineering plastics for your heavy-duty machinery parts, contact engineering plastic suppliers like ePOL.
