Acetal Copolymer Sheet — Sizes, Tolerances & Ordering (POM-C)
Acetal copolymer sheet is extruded flat stock in acetal copolymer (POM-C), stocked in thicknesses from 0.062" through 4.0" in natural (white) and black. In common industry parlance, "acetal sheet" typically refers to acetal copolymer unless specifically called out as "Delrin sheet" (POM-H). Acetal copolymer sheet is used for flat machined components — wear strips, cam profiles, valve plates, jigs, fixtures, and food-contact surfaces — where dimensional stability and chemical resistance to common industrial fluids are required.
At a glance:
- Primary keyword: "acetal sheet" — US volume 150/month, transactional intent
- Thickness range: 0.062" to 4.0" in standard increments
- Standard sheet sizes: 24"×48" and 48"×96"
- Tolerance: ±10% of nominal thickness (ASTM D6100)
- Colors: natural (white/ivory) and black
- FDA compliance: most natural-color grades meet 21 CFR 177.2480 (verify lot)
- Do NOT laser-cut acetal sheet — waterjet or router only
"Acetal Sheet" vs. "Delrin Sheet" — Which Is Which?
In distributor catalogs and online search results, "acetal sheet" is most commonly acetal copolymer (POM-C). "Delrin sheet" specifically means DuPont Delrin (POM-H). The two materials are similar but not identical:
| Difference | Acetal Copolymer Sheet (POM-C) | Delrin Sheet (POM-H) |
|---|---|---|
| Hot-water resistance | Better | Fair |
| Tensile strength | ~9,500 psi | ~10,000–10,500 psi |
| Fatigue endurance | Slightly lower | Slightly higher |
| FDA compliance | Many natural grades (verify) | Specific SA grades |
| Cost | Slightly lower | Slightly higher |
For most flat-part machining applications, the difference is minor. For hot-water-contact wear strips and food equipment parts, specify POM-C explicitly. For high-fatigue flat cams and springs, evaluate POM-H (Delrin) for its fatigue advantage.
Stocked Thicknesses and Sizes
| Thickness | Tolerance (ASTM D6100) | Standard Sheet Sizes | Color Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.062" (1/16") | ±0.006" | 24×48", 48×96" | Natural / black |
| 0.093" (3/32") | ±0.009" | 24×48", 48×96" | Natural / black |
| 0.125" (1/8") | ±0.013" | 24×48", 48×96" | Natural / black |
| 0.187" (3/16") | ±0.019" | 24×48", 48×96" | Natural / black |
| 0.250" (1/4") | ±0.025" | 24×48", 48×96" | Natural / black |
| 0.375" (3/8") | ±0.038" | 24×48", 48×96" | Natural / black |
| 0.500" (1/2") | ±0.050" | 24×48", 48×96" | Natural / black |
| 0.625" (5/8") | ±0.063" | 24×48", 48×96" | Natural / black |
| 0.750" (3/4") | ±0.075" | 24×48", 48×96" | Natural / black |
| 1.000" (1") | ±0.100" | 24×48", 48×96" | Natural / black |
| 1.500" | ±0.150" | 24×48" | Natural |
| 2.000" | ±0.200" | 24×48" | Natural |
| 3.000" | ±0.300" | 24×48" | Natural |
| 4.000" | ±0.400" | 24×48" | Natural |
Precision-ground sheet (total thickness variation ±0.005") available on request for precision machining and metrology applications.
Applications for Acetal Copolymer Sheet
Wear strips and guide rails (food processing and packaging): Natural POM-C sheet cut to width, used as conveyor guides, bottle guides, and product slide rails. FDA-compliant grades for direct food contact; hot-water cleanable.
Jigs and fixtures: POM-C sheet machined into holding fixtures, assembly jigs, and inspection gauges. Good dimensional stability over temperature (CTE: 5.4–6.5 × 10⁻⁵ in/in/°F) and moderate humidity variation.
Valve plates and manifold blanks: Sheet stock machined into valve plate assemblies, manifold covers, and porting bodies for hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
Cam profiles and detent plates: Flat sheet stock machined into cam profiles and detents for mechanical actuation systems. Acetal's fatigue endurance is adequate for most cam applications; for very high-cycle cams, evaluate Delrin (POM-H).
Food-contact surfaces: POM-C natural sheet in cutting guides, portion-control plates, and food-contact dividers where FDA compliance and cleanability are required.
Electrical insulation panels: POM-C sheet as insulating barrier in switchgear, terminal blocks, and bus bar assemblies.
Cutting Acetal Copolymer Sheet
Waterjet Cutting
Preferred method for complex profiles and production quantities. Tolerances: ±0.010–0.015" standard; ±0.005" precision waterjet. No heat, no fumes.
CNC Router
Excellent for medium-complexity 2D profiles. O-flute or 2-flute upcut carbide, 400–700 SFM, chip load 0.003–0.006 IPT. Vacuum hold-down for thin sheet.
Bandsaw
For straight cuts and rough blanking. Bi-metal blade, 6–10 TPI.
Laser Cutting — PROHIBITED
Do not laser-cut acetal sheet of any type (POM-H or POM-C). All polyoxymethylene materials generate formaldehyde gas under laser exposure. This is a serious occupational health hazard. Use waterjet, bandsaw, or router.
Machining Acetal Copolymer Sheet on CNC VMC
Standard setup for flat-part machining:
- Vacuum table or double-sided tape for thin sheet (0.062"–0.375")
- Toe clamps or step blocks for thicker sections
- Face the back side first if the sheet has bow from storage or extrusion
- Milling parameters: 300–600 SFM; chip load 0.003–0.006 IPT; 2–3 flute end mill
- Achievable profile tolerance: ±0.002" standard; ±0.001" with care
For complete sheet machining parameters, see the acetal copolymer machining guide.
Ordering Acetal Copolymer Sheet
Specify on purchase orders:
Acetal copolymer (POM-C) sheet, [thickness]" nominal, ASTM D6100 Type I, natural color. Sheet size: [24×48" or 48×96"]. Certificate of conformance required. [Add "FDA 21 CFR 177.2480 compliance documentation required" for food-contact applications.]
For cut-to-size pieces, specify overall dimensions and cut tolerance. Standard saw-cut tolerance: ±0.125" on cut dimensions; precision cut ±0.030".
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