Polyoxymethylene Copolymer (POM)

Where low wear, high flexural fatigue, creep performance and fuel resistance are some of the key requirements for your applications, POM (polyoxymethylene) could provide the right solution.

POM – also known as acetal or polyacetal - is a highly crystalline, high performance engineering polymer that displays a broad range of properties, among the most notable being low coefficient of friction, excellent wear resistance, high modulus, and resistance to many solvents and automotive fuels. Basic mechanical properties include high strength and stiffness coupled with good impact strength. Low moisture absorption results in excellent dimensional stability and makes POM an excellent candidate for parts that must exhibit tight tolerances in moist environments.

POM exists as a homopolymer or copolymer. The homopolymer is essentially a polyoxymethylene molecular chain made from formaldehyde, while the copolymer is produced from trioxane or other comonomers. The homopolymer has slightly higher short-term mechanical properties and melts at a higher temperature, while the copolymer has higher continuous use temperature, greater alkali resistance and is less affected by long-term exposure to moisture at an elevated temperature.  

POM products are very versatile and, as a result, are used in a wide array of applications across many industries.  POM may be processed by injection molding, extrusion, compression molding, rotational casting or blow molding.

The unfilled polymer is widely used in many standard applications and to produce rod stock or slab stock, which can be easily machined, for example for prototyping. In some circumstances, the polymer is modified with glass fibers, minerals, conductive fillers, lubricants, pigments and many other additives and used in the following applications:

• Transportation - fuel pumps and other fuel system components, control cables, windshield wipers, heater/air conditioner control system components, interior door handles, and seat belt components
• Industrial products - faucet underbodies, shower heads, pumps, irrigation equipment and valves, conveyor links
• Appliance components - gears, timers and pumps
• Information technology products - gears and bearings
• Consumer products - gears, springs, hand tools, toys

Ticona offers a wide range of POM products under the tradenames Celcon® and Hostaform® acetal copolymer, including specialty grades that are lasermarkable, UV stable or static dissipative. A similar line of products, Duracon® POM is available in Asia from Ticona’s joint venture affiliate in Japan, Polyplastics Co., Ltd.