Plastic Materials for CNC Machining

For the Production of High-Quality Parts

Types of Plastic for CNC Machining

There are many different types of metal materials used in CNC machining. In order to choose the best machining material for your product, it is important to understand the characteristics, cost, and applicable time of various materials before machining.

We evaluate the cost of various machining materials for you and provide instant quotes for more than 100 different types of metals.

Plastic materials List

Plastics are a highly favored choice for CNC machining due to their extensive variety, relatively affordable cost, and notably swift machining duration. We offer immediate quotes for over 100 types of plastic, facilitating price comparisons across various processing materials for your convenience.

ABS

PMMA

PEEK

POM

PVC

PTFE

ABS

ABS

ABS, composed of three monomers—acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene—possesses a distinctive array of qualities, such as exceptional impact resistance, effective heat resistance, and outstanding dimensional stability.

Mechanical properties
Ultimate tensile strength	27.6 – 55.2 MPa
Yield strength	18.5 – 51 MPa
Young’s modulus	1.1 – 2.9 GPa
Elongation at break	10 – 50 %
Hardness	5.6 – 15.3 HV

Thermal properties
Maximum service temperature	61.9 – 76.9 °C
Thermal expansion coefficent	84.6 – 234 10^-6/ºC
Thermal conductivity	0.188 – 0.335 W/(m⋅°C)

PMMA

PMMA

PMMA, commonly referred to as acrylic, is a durable and transparent substance that withstands UV radiation and weathering. Its versatility allows for easy coloring, shaping, and utilization across a wide range of construction applications, owing to its appealing aesthetics.

Mechanical properties
Ultimate tensile strength	55 – 83 MPa
Yield strength	64 -80 MPa
Young’s modulus	2.76 – 3.3 GPa
Elongation at break	3 – 6.4 %
Hardness	64 – 105 HRM

Thermal properties
Maximum service temperature	70 – 80 °C
Thermal expansion coefficent	50 – 90 10^-6/ºC
Thermal conductivity	0.19 – 0.2 W/(m⋅°C)

PC

Polycarbonate, a robust and resilient plastic, exhibits flame-retardant and antioxidant characteristics. Renowned for its outstanding impact resistance, transparency, and mechanical attributes.

Mechanical properties
Ultimate tensile strength	60 – 72.4 MPa
Yield strength	59- 70 MPa
Young’s modulus	2 – 2.44 GPa
Elongation at break	50 – 120 %
Hardness	17.7 – 21.7 HV

Thermal properties
Maximum service temperature	101 – 144 °C
Thermal expansion coefficent	120 – 137 10^-6/ºC
Thermal conductivity	0.189 – 0.218 W/(m⋅°C)

PA

PA has good comprehensive properties, including mechanical properties, heat resistance, wear resistance, chemical resistance and self-lubrication. It has a low friction coefficient, has certain flame retardancy, and is easy to process.

Subtypes	Ultimate tensile strength	Yield strength	Young’s modulus	Elongation at break	Hardness
Nylon 6	64.7 – 79.1 MPa	51.2 – 63.8 MPa	1.58 – 1.97 GPa	200-300 %	Shore D70
Nylon 6 30% GF	113 – 138.1 MPa	111 – 137 MPa	6.5 – 8.1 GPa	2.81 – 4.05 %	Shore D92
Nylon 66 30% GF	90 MPa	90 MPa	5 GPa	10 – 14 %	Shore D76
Nylon 6 FR	82 MPa	82 MPa	3.8 GPa	3 %	Shore D83
Nylon 12	80 MPa	80 MPa	1.9 GPa	200%	Shore D78
Nylon 66	76 MPa	50 – 80 MPa	1.85 GPa	50%	Shore D82

PP

Polypropylene (PP) showcases exceptional chemical resilience, a lofty melting threshold, and minimal density. When employing CNC machining on PP, employing a sharp cutter with an elevated front angle and reduced cutting speed is imperative. These precautions thwart material overheating and melting.

Subtypes	Ultimate tensile strength	Yield strength	Young’s modulus	Elongation at break	Hardness
PP Homopolymer		19 – 30 MPa	0.7 – 1.2 GPa	min. 50 %
PP	23 – 33 MPa	30 – 32 MPa	0.9 – 1.6 GPa	8 – 12 %	65 – 102 HRR
PP+GF(30%)	68 – 85 MPa		6.5 – 7 GPa	2.1 – 3.4 %	110 HRC

PEEK

PEEK

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), an extraordinary engineering thermoplastic, is renowned for its remarkable attributes, such as exceptional resistance to high temperatures, inherent self-lubrication, ease of processing, and unparalleled mechanical robustness.

Mechanical properties
Ultimate tensile strength	70.3 – 103 MPa
Yield strength	87 – 95 MPa
Young’s modulus	3.76 – 3.95 GPa
Elongation at break	30 – 150 %
Hardness	26.1 – 28.5 HV

Thermal properties
Maximum service temperature	239 – 260 °C
Thermal expansion coefficent	50 – 60 10^-6/ºC
Thermal conductivity	0.24 – 0.26 W/(m⋅°C)

POM

POM

Polyoxymethylene (POM), a thermoplastic substance, is celebrated for its elevated stiffness, minimal friction, ease of machining, and remarkable dimensional stability. Nevertheless, the machining process of POM presents challenges, attributable to its heightened melting threshold and susceptibility to chipping or cracking when cutting parameters are not meticulously managed.

Subtypes	Ultimate tensile strength	Yield strength	Young’s modulus	Elongation at break
Acetal Copolymer(POM-C)	60 – 70 MPa	60 – 67 MPa	2.5 – 2.7 GPa	30 – 32 %
Acetal Copolymer (POM-C) FDA	70 MPa	66 – 70 MPa	2.8 – 3 GPa	32 – 40 %
Acetal Homopolymer (POM-H)	60 – 89.6 MPa	48.6 – 72.4 MPa	2.5 – 4 GPa	15 – 75 %
Acetal Copolymer (POM-C) ESD	39 MPa	45 MPa	2.5 – 2.7 GPa	40 – 50 %

PVC

PVC

PVC, robust and resilient, exhibits resistance to chemicals, weather, and fire. Nonetheless, machining PVC can generate hazardous dust and fumes, posing risks to workers’ safety. To ensure the well-being of workers, employ appropriate safety gear and implement adequate ventilation measures during the machining procedure.

Mechanical properties
Ultimate tensile strength	46 – 58 MPa
Yield strength	53 – 58 MPa
Young’s modulus	2.18 – 3.41 GPa
Elongation at break	25 – 80 %
Hardness	13.7 – 16.6 HV

Thermal properties
Maximum service temperature	85 – 100 °C
Thermal expansion coefficent	112 – 149 10^-6/ºC
Thermal conductivity	0.133 – 0.144 W/(m⋅°C)

PTFE

PTEE

PTEE has high strength, high stiffness and excellent high temperature resistance. Its resistance to wear and chemical attack is also excellent. Compared with other engineering plastics, ptee has a lower friction coefficient and good self-lubricating properties.

Mechanical properties
Ultimate tensile strength	25 – 31 MPa
Yield strength	14 – 41.4 MPa
Young’s modulus	0.39 – 2.25 GPa
Elongation at break	300 – 450 %
Hardness	50 – 65 Shore D

Thermal properties
Maximum service temperature	250 – 270 °C
Thermal expansion coefficent	7 – 20 10^-6/ºC
Thermal conductivity	0.23 – 0.5 W/(m⋅°C)

CNC Machining Plastics

Plastic Materials for CNC Machining

For the Production of High-Quality Parts

Types of Plastic for CNC Machining

Plastic materials List

ABS

PMMA

PF

PC

PA

PP

PEEK

POM

PVC

PTEE