The top 5 durable plastics
Durable plastics
Wear resistance can be put into two categories: durability and robustness. Or to be more precise: low friction combined with a long lifespan, which is important for bearings, for example. Wear-resistant plastics have several advantages over metal or bronze equivalents, such as high dynamic load capacity, good dry-running properties, weight, chemical resistance, and cost price.
The top 5 wear-resistant plastics and their characteristics are listed below.
1. Polyamide (PA)
Polyamide (PA), also known as nylon, is one of the most commonly used wear-resistant plastics. It is widely used in manufacturing processes to produce wear plates, gears, and plain bearings. The material has relatively high stiffness and is ideally suited for heavy dynamic loads and offers good vibration-damping properties. Its temperature range is between -40° and +100°C. Furthermore, polyamide does not age quickly, and most grades are resistant to high temperatures.
Because PA is available in many grades with specific additives, it is a highly versatile material suitable for a wide variety of applications. In the semiconductor industry, PA is frequently used in mechanical components that combine dynamic loads with the requirement for low particle shedding. The most commonly used grades are: PA6G, PA6 MoS₂, PA12, glass-filled PA (PA6 GF30), carbon-filled PA (PA6 CF20), and oil-filled PA.
2. HMPE (Werkstoff-S)
High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene (HMPE) is widely used in the food industry. This wear-resistant material, which has a relatively low coefficient of friction, can be supplied with a food safety certificate and is therefore safe for use in processes where it comes into direct contact with food.
Furthermore, unlike PA/Nylon, for example, HMPE does not absorb moisture. When using it, however, care must be taken to ensure that friction does not cause temperatures to rise too high (<80°C).
There are several variants of HMPE, including HMPE-500 and 1000. The latter is well known under the brand name “Werkstof-S” and is even more wear-resistant than HMPE 500. It can therefore be used even under the most demanding conditions and at extremely low temperatures down to -200°C. Furthermore, HMPE-1000 allows virtually no other materials to adhere to it. In addition to the food industry, HMPE is used in guide components where low friction and minimal particle generation are critical, such as in cleanroom environments.
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3. POM
Like Nylon or polyamide, POM is a widely used, wear-resistant plastic. The material is also known as Delrin and Polyacetal. POM is much less wear-resistant than Nylon and Arnite, which means it is mainly used for manufacturing high-precision parts which do not have to undergo high stress.
POM is lightweight, dimensionally stable, does not discolour, and is well-suited for making accurate parts. However, it has limited wear resistance, so this material should ideally be seen as a normal construction plastic. The most commonly used POM variants are:
- POM-C
- POM with 10% PTFE
- POM MoS2
- POM ELS (electrically conductive)
4. PETP (Arnite)
Polyethylene terephthalate, also known as PETP plastic or Arnite, is less well-known but certainly not of inferior quality or less versatile. PETP is wear-resistant, creep-resistant, hard, and has low moisture absorption. This makes it highly suitable for applications requiring complex parts combined with the most stringent requirements for dimensional accuracy and surface quality.
When using PETP, it is important to note that, due to the material’s extreme hardness, it is more brittle, and impact loads should therefore be avoided. It can withstand temperatures up to 110°C for extended periods and is suitable for applications in the food industry. The combination of dimensional accuracy and low moisture absorption makes PETP suitable for precision components in metrology and analytical applications.
5. PEEK
Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a high-performance thermoplastic material that is an excellent choice for demanding applications and offers outstanding wear resistance. It is resistant to high temperatures, chemicals, and radiation. PEEK can be used continuously at operating temperatures up to 250 °C. Furthermore, it can be used in hot water or steam without compromising its physical properties.
PEEK is easy to machine and offers exceptional strength, dimensional stability, and stiffness. Due to its high performance, PEEK is used in many challenging environments in the medical, nuclear, chemical processing, and aerospace industries. There are also various types of PEEK on the market with modified compositions tailored to specific applications. The most commonly used variants are: PEEK BG (special bearing grade), PEEK TF 10 (excellent sliding and wear resistance properties), glass-filled PEEK (PEEK GF 30), and carbon fiber-filled PEEK (PEEK CF 30).
A Comparison of the Properties and Applications of Wear-Resistant Plastics
| Material | Max. operating temperature | Wear resistance | Typical application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polyamide (PA) | -40°C to +100°C | High, good damping properties | Wear plates, gears, plain bearings |
| HMPE | Up to -200°C, friction limited to < 80°C | Very high, low coefficient of friction | Food industry, guides |
| POM | Standard engineering applications | Limited compared to PA | Precision parts with lower loads |
| PETP | Up to 110°C | High, creep-resistant | Complex parts with tight tolerances |
| Peek | Up to 250°C | Very high, even at high temperatures | Medical, nuclear, chemical, and aerospace applications |
Machining Wear-Resistant Plastics
Once the right material has been selected, the next step is to turn it into a precision part. BKB Precision machines wear-resistant plastics such as PA, HMPE, POM, PETP, and PEEK with an accuracy of up to 3 μm, from prototypes to medium-sized production runs. Because material selection and machining take place under one roof, we are able to maintain the tolerances required for applications in industries such as semiconductors, medical devices, and analytics.
Curious to find out which wear-resistant plastic best suits your specific application and tolerance requirements? Contact us or explore our capabilities for CNC machining of plastics.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wear-Resistant Plastics
PEEK and HMPE are among the most wear-resistant plastics. PEEK retains its wear resistance even at high operating temperatures up to 250°C, while HMPE stands out for its very low coefficient of friction and operability down to -200°C. Which of the two is most suitable depends on the application: PEEK for high temperatures and chemical exposure, HMPE for low friction and low temperatures.
Polyamide is more wear-resistant than POM and better able to withstand dynamic loads and vibrations. POM is less wear-resistant but has excellent dimensional stability, making it more suitable for precision parts that are subjected to lower loads.
HMPE and POM are widely used in the food industry, are available with a food safety certificate, and do not absorb moisture.
This varies greatly depending on the material: Polyamide can be used between -40°C and +100°C, HMPE up to -200°C, PETP up to 110°C, and PEEK up to 250°C.
Wear-resistant plastics offer advantages over their metal or bronze equivalents, such as high dynamic load capacity, good dry-running properties, lower weight, chemical resistance, and a lower cost.