Sunday, May 12, 2013

Is HDPE and Delrin (Acetal) the same?

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Is HDPE and Delrin (Acetal) the same?
Here is another popularly asked question asked by our old and new customers. Is HDPE Sheet the same plastic as Delrin Sheet?
A resounding NO, they are completely different plastics. While the natural color of both materials is a milky white-ish to solid white, and they do both have a similar look and feel, they are different in most properties. HDPE is a mostly milky white to almost an opaque depending on the thickness, and Acetal is generally much more opaque white to perhaps a milky - and again depending on thickness .
HDPE and Delrin - Some of the Differences

The HDPE is a much softer plastic, and it is known for its FDA compliance and is often placed in numerous foot service applications, such as: plastic milk jugs, cutting board, colored non-transparent water glasses/cups, and many, many more. Yes, it can be machined, because it is a bit softer and lighter, the cutting tolerances it can be machined to are not as tight. It is not bondable, so it makes a great non-stick surface for sticky foods and glue plates.


The Delrin also has FDA certification, and this is used heavily in the food processing industry. Delrin material is a more mechanical material and is regularly used in bearing and wear applications, feeder screws, cams, etc. This material is can be machined to tight tolerances, and has excellent wear for long periods without lubrication. Once again, because of the exceptional wear properties, it is also not bondable, thus requiring mechanical fastening or threads for assembly. Acetal has a very low water absorption, and it is found in your toilet tank (as the white moving parts) and in the filling mechanism. It is an extremely popular material for machinists, as it machines much like soft brass.
While HDPE and Acetal look similar, they perform quite a bit differently.

While both HDPE and Acetal are FDA approved, are machinable and can be used to make wear resistant parts, they are two different materials and have significant different physical properties. Another main difference is in the weight of these items; HDPE weighs about 35% less than the Acetal material. Please review the data sheets for additional information to assist in proper material selection.

Acetal is commonly known as: Delrin, Ensital, Unital, Pomalux, Ultraform and many more.

HDPE is known as: Ultraethylux, Densetec, Polystone G, Fortiflex, Versadur, Hostalen, and many more.

Contact us for additional details on the HDPE and Acetal families of plastic materials, call 866-832-9315

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