Teflon vs Delrin, What’s the Difference – Pros and Cons of Delrin and Teflon

2023.3.23

Delrin and Teflon are two materials can be used in CNC plastic machining, and they are both brand names. Here let’s see pros and cons of Delrin (POM) and Teflon (PTFE), as well as difference between them.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Delrin (POM)

Delrin, also known as polyoxymethylene (POM), is a versatile thermoplastic with several advantages and disadvantages. 

Pros:

– High stiffness and strength: Delrin has excellent stiffness and strength, making it suitable for applications that require high load-bearing capacity and resistance to deformation.

– Low friction and wear resistance: Delrin has good wear resistance and a low coefficient of friction, making it suitable for applications that require low friction or sliding.

– Good dimensional stability: Delrin has good dimensional stability and can maintain its shape and size even when exposed to changes in temperature or humidity.

– Excellent machinability: Delrin can be easily machined using standard machining techniques and has good dimensional accuracy and surface finish.

– Chemical resistance: Delrin has good resistance to chemicals and solvents, making it suitable for applications in harsh chemical environments.

Cons:

– Low impact resistance: Delrin has relatively low impact resistance, making it susceptible to cracking or breaking under impact or shock loads.

– Moisture absorption: Delrin can absorb moisture, which can lead to dimensional changes and reduced mechanical properties.

– High cost: Delrin can be more expensive than some other thermoplastics, making it less suitable for cost-sensitive applications.

– Flammability: Delrin is combustible and can release toxic fumes when burned, making it unsuitable for applications that require flame resistance.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Teflon (PTFE)

Teflon, also known as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), is a thermoplastic fluoropolymer with several advantages and disadvantages. 

Pros:

– Non-stick properties: Teflon has excellent non-stick properties, making it ideal for use in non-stick cookware and other applications where sticking or adhesion is a concern.

– High temperature resistance: Teflon can withstand high temperatures up to 260°C (500°F) without degrading or melting, making it suitable for high-temperature applications.

– Chemical resistance: Teflon has excellent resistance to chemicals and solvents, making it ideal for use in harsh chemical environments.

– Low coefficient of friction: Teflon has a very low coefficient of friction, making it ideal for applications where low friction or sliding is a concern.

– Electrical insulation properties: Teflon has excellent dielectric properties and is a good electrical insulator, making it ideal for use in electrical applications.

Cons:

– Difficult to machine: Teflon can be difficult to machine due to its soft and slippery nature, which can make it challenging to hold in place and machine accurately.

– Low strength: Teflon has relatively low strength and can be susceptible to deformation or damage under high loads or stress.

– Limited color options: Teflon is typically only available in a limited range of colors, which can be a disadvantage for applications that require specific colors or aesthetics.

– Environmental concerns: The production and disposal of Teflon can have environmental impacts, as some forms of Teflon have been linked to the release of toxic chemicals.

Teflon vs Delrin, What's the Difference Between Them?

Teflon (PTFE) and Delrin (POM) are two different types of thermoplastics that have several differences in their properties and characteristics. Here are the main differences between Teflon and Delrin:

– Chemical resistance: Teflon has excellent chemical resistance and is highly resistant to most chemicals and solvents, whereas Delrin is more susceptible to attack by certain chemicals and solvents.

– Non-stick properties: Teflon has excellent non-stick properties, whereas Delrin does not have inherent non-stick properties.

– Friction properties: Teflon has a very low coefficient of friction, making it ideal for applications that require low friction or sliding. Delrin has good wear resistance and a low coefficient of friction, but it is not as low as Teflon.

– Temperature resistance: Teflon can withstand high temperatures up to 260°C (500°F) without degrading or melting, whereas Delrin has a lower heat resistance and is typically used in applications up to 100-120°C (212-248°F).

– Machinability: Delrin is easier to machine than Teflon due to its stiffness and low coefficient of friction, whereas Teflon can be difficult to machine due to its soft and slippery nature.

– Moisture resistance: Delrin is less susceptible to moisture absorption than Teflon, which can cause dimensional changes and reduced mechanical properties.

– Strength and stiffness: Delrin has higher stiffness and strength than Teflon, making it suitable for applications that require high load-bearing capacity and resistance to deformation.

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