Definition of Acetal Copolymer (POM-C) FDA
POM-C FDA is a food-safe grade of acetal copolymer plastic that meets FDA standards for direct contact with food. Like standard POM-C, it is strong, low-friction, wear-resistant, and dimensionally stable. It does not absorb moisture, resist most cleaning chemicals, and can be cleaned easily. CNC shops machine it into gears, bushings, conveyor rollers, valve parts, and components for food processing, beverage, dairy, and packaging machinery. It is naturally white, holds tight tolerances, and comes with material certification for compliance.
Properties of Acetal Copolymer (POM-C) FDA
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Properties | |
| Yield strength | 66 – 70 MPa |
| Young’s modulus (modulus of elasticity) | 2.8 – 3 GPa |
| Elongation at break | 32 – 40 % |
| Thermal Properties | |
| Maximum service temperature | 100 – 140 °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 0.31 – 0.39 W/(m⋅°C) |
| Common Applications | |
| Components with contact to water | Food or pharmaceuticals |
Why Acetal Copolymer (POM-C) ESD Matters in CNC Workshops
- High-demand food industry orders: Food and beverage companies always need replacement parts. POM-C FDA keeps your shop busy with repeat, high-margin jobs.
- Premium pricing: Food-grade certification lets you charge 30–50% more than standard POM-C. Customers pay extra for compliance and traceability.
- Easy to machine: POM-C FDA cuts cleanly with standard tools, holds tight tolerances, and needs no special setup. Fast cycle times mean more parts per day.
- Long-term customer lock-in: Once a food plant approves your POM-C FDA parts, they reorder for years. It builds stable, recurring revenue with low customer churn.
Surface Finishes for CNC Machined ABS Parts
As-Machined
The default finish from CNC machining plastic stock (Delrin, nylon, HDPE, ABS). Visible linear tool path scallop marks across machined surfaces with a matte plastic sheen. No secondary operation suitable for functional components, jigs, fixtures, and internal parts where cosmetic appearance is secondary to dimensional accuracy.
Flame Polished
Quick post-fabrication process that passes a controlled flame over acrylic (PMMA) cut edges, melting the surface micro-layer to produce a crystal-clear, glossy, transparent edge. Fast and cost-effective for acrylic sheet edges produces optical clarity on cut borders without the labor of hand polishing. Ideal for display cases, signage, and acrylic enclosures.
Vapor Polished
Post-fabrication chemical process that exposes transparent plastic parts (acrylic, PC, PETG) to solvent vapor, melting and smoothing the surface micro-layer to dramatically improve optical clarity and gloss. Removes machining lines and produces crystal-clear transparent parts — essential for prototype lenses, light guides, display windows, fluidic chambers, and medical components requiring optical transparency.
Painted
Post-fabrication spray painting in any custom color (matte, satin, gloss, metallic) followed by screen printing or pad printing for logos, labels, buttons, and graphics. Applied over a primed plastic surface for uniform color and adhesion. Allows custom fabricated plastic parts to match production aesthetics widely used for control panels, instrument faces, enclosures, and marketing/showcase components requiring exact brand color and graphic printing.
Sanded
Post-fabrication sanding with progressively finer grit sandpaper (typically 240–600 grit) produces a uniform low-gloss matte non-reflective surface. Hides machining marks, scratches, and surface inconsistencies while providing a soft tactile feel. Used for HDPE, UHMW, and nylon components where a durable, non-glare, fingerprint-resistant matte appearance is desired for industrial and functional parts.
Heat Formed
Thermoforming process that heats plastic sheet (acrylic, polycarbonate, ABS) to its glass transition temperature and bends it over a form tool to create precise angles and curved shapes. Produces clean, smooth bend radii with consistent surface finish no tool marks at the bend. Used for display stands, guards, enclosures, signage, and custom fabricated parts requiring 3D formed shapes from flat sheet stock.
