Sometimes things that just work without any fuss, can be taken for granted. Is this the case with Ertacetal C?
Ertacetal C is a copolymer acetal (POM) that has been commonplace in engineering plastics for decades that is best known for its ease of machining, but it has a myriad of other features and benefits that may not be as well known.
Some of the attributes that makes Ertacetal C unique are:
Hydrolysis
Regarding plastics, this is the breakdown of a material due to the attack of hot water or steam. Before considering more expensive advanced plastics such as PEEK & PTFE, Ertacetal C has the best resistance to hot water and steam of all the common engineering plastics, such as nylons, PETP, PP & PE. Ertacetal C also outperforms homopolymer acetal (Delrin®).
Low Slip-Stick
Stick-Slip relates directly to the difference between the static and dynamic coefficient of friction (CoF), where a low Stick-Slip material suits sliding applications that operate in a start-stop fashion, therefore minimising “sticky” motion or “shuttering”. Even though Ertacetal C doesn’t have the lowest CoF, it’s low Stick-Slip characteristic can be beneficial in start-stop bearings.
Drinking Water & Food Contact suitability
Many materials comply with food contact regulations, but far fewer materials meet Drinking Water regulations. Ertacetal C is one of the few materials that complies the Drinking Water regulation WRAS, as well as the FDA & EU food contact requirements.
Low Temperature
As temperatures drop, the toughness of materials also drops, but unlike other engineering materials that have similarly high mechanical properties, Ertacetal C maintains favourable properties down to -500C.
Ertacetal C does not absorb water (or moisture), therefore allowing it to be a dimensionally stable material in wet environments and applications.
