Plastic Machinability – Machinability of Engineering Thermoplastics

The plastic machinability index for Dotmar engineering thermoplastics is a nominal ranking out of 20 = best. Different machining processes using CNC or Manual metal-working or wood-working machinery is suitable for most thermoplastics. Because of the poor thermal conductivity and low melting point of thermoplastics heat generation must be kept to a minimum.

Several key points to note:

  • Machining Forces - lower than for metals, lower clamp forces required, lower rigidity therefore support may be needed to prevent deflection in some cases.
  • Tools - Keep sharp, ensure only the cutting edge contacts material, ensure good swarf removal.
  • Coolants - Soluble oil types are generally suitable if required. Use only pure water or compressed air for PC, PEI, PSU.

Plastic Machinability Index of Dotmar Engineering Thermoplastics

Table 1. Plastic Machinability Index of Dotmar Engineering Thermoplastics

Product Name

Plastic Type

Value (20=Best)

Ertalyte

PETP Polyester

20

Ertacetal C

Acetal

20

Ertalyte TX

PETP Polyester

20

Tetco V

PTFE Polytetrafluoroethylene

19

Tetron S

PTFE Polytetrafluoroethylene

19

Polystone Ultra

PE Polyethylene

18

Polystone 7000

PE Polyethylene

18

Polystone 7000SR

PE Polyethylene

18

Polystone 8000+

PE Polyethylene

18

Polystone M-Flametech AST

PE Polyethylene

18

Polystone M-Slide

PE Polyethylene

18

Ketron PEEK-1000

PEEK Polyetheretherketone

16

Ertalon 66SA

Nylon

16

Ertalon 6PLA

Nylon

16

Nylatron 703XL

Nylon

16

Ertalon 4.6

Nylon

16

Nylatron GS

Nylon

16

Nylatron GSM

Nylon

16

Nylatron MC901

Nylon

16

Ertalon LFX

Nylon

16

Playtec

PE Polyethylene

16

Polystone 300

PE Polyethylene

16

Polystone 500

PE Polyethylene

16

Ertalon 6XAU+

Nylon

16

Celazole PBI

PBI Polybenzimidazole

16

Torlon 5530

PAI Polyamide-imide

16

Polystone Ezyslide 78

PE Polyethylene

16

PVDF 1000

PVDF Polyviylidenefluoride

16

Torlon 4301 & 4501

PAI Polyamide-imide

16

Torlon 4203 & 4503

PAI Polyamide-imide

16

Tetron LG

PTFE Polytetrafluoroethylene

16

PPSU-1000

PPSU Polyphenylenesulphone

15

PSU-1000

PSU Polysulphone

15

Ketron PEEK-HPV

PEEK Polyetheretherketone

15

PEI-1000

PEI Polyetherimide

15

Tetron G

PTFE Polytetrafluoroethylene

15

Techtron HPV PPS

PPS Polyphenylene Sulphide

15

Tetron HG

PTFE Polytetrafluoroethylene

14

Ketron PEEK-GF30

PEEK Polyetheretherketone

13

Ertalon 66GF-30

Nylon

13

Ketron PEEK-CA30

PEEK Polyetheretherketone

13

Tetron GR

PTFE Polytetrafluoroethylene

12

Ertalon 6SA

Nylon

12

Trovidur EN PVC

PVC Polyvinylchloride

12

Polystone PP

PP Polypropylene

12

Tetron C

PTFE Polytetrafluoroethylene

11

Safeguard PC

Polycarbonate

8

Safeguard Hardcoat XX

PC Polycarbonate

8

Tetron B

PTFE Polytetrafluoroethylene

7

This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Dotmar EPP Pty Ltd.

For more information on this source, please visit Dotmar EPP Pty Ltd.

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Comments

  1. Luis Urena Luis Urena United Kingdom says:
    October 7, 2019 at 5:52 AM

    How did you calculate those values?

    Reply

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