Acetal Tube — IDs, ODs, Wall Thicknesses & Lengths
Acetal tube is hollow cylindrical stock produced from polyoxymethylene (POM), delivering the low friction, high stiffness, and dimensional stability characteristic of the acetal family in a ready-to-machine tubular form. Starting from extruded tube eliminates much of the boring time required to produce hollow parts from solid rod, making it cost-effective for bushings, sleeve bearings, and annular components.
At a glance:
- Standard OD range: approximately 1" to 6" OD with matching ID sizes
- Wall thicknesses: varies by OD; standard wall and heavy wall options available
- Standard lengths: 2 ft and 4 ft
- Material: Polyoxymethylene (POM) — acetal family
- Color: Natural (white/off-white)
- Low moisture absorption — maintains bore dimensions in wet and humid service
Standard Size Table
Acetal tube is stocked in common OD/ID combinations:
| OD | ID | Wall | Standard Lengths | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0" | 0.5" | 0.25" | 2 ft, 4 ft | Small bushing stock |
| 1.5" | 0.75" | 0.375" | 2 ft, 4 ft | Sleeve bearings |
| 2.0" | 1.0" | 0.5" | 2 ft, 4 ft | Medium bore components |
| 2.5" | 1.5" | 0.5" | 2 ft, 4 ft | Spacers, guide rings |
| 3.0" | 2.0" | 0.5" | 2 ft, 4 ft | Large bore sleeves |
| 4.0" | 2.5" | 0.75" | 2 ft | Heavy-wall applications |
Contact Ready Plastics to confirm exact ID/OD availability and to request custom wall thicknesses.
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.49 g/cm³ |
| Water absorption (24 h / 96 h) | 0.05 / 0.1 % |
| Flammability (UL 94) | HB |
| Heat deflection temp. (HDT, Method A) | 141 °C / 285 °F |
| Service temp. (long term) | 110 °C / 230 °F |
| Service temp. (short term) | 150 °C / 300 °F |
| Tensile strength | 53 MPa / 7,600 psi |
| Flexural strength | 85 MPa / 12,000 psi |
| Shore D hardness | 81 |
Typical Applications
Acetal tube stock is turned and bored into hollow components for mechanical systems:
- Sleeve bearings and bushings — low friction surface runs without lubrication in many applications
- Bearing cages and retainers — stiffness maintains geometry under radial loads
- Conveyor rollers and spacer sleeves — wear resistance extends service intervals
- Pneumatic and fluid-line fittings — chemical resistance supports light-duty fluid contact
- Electrical conduit and insulating tubes — electrically non-conductive for isolation applications
- Prototype and custom annular parts — eliminates boring time vs. solid rod stock
Machining Acetal Tube
Acetal tube machines easily on a lathe using standard HSS or carbide tooling. The pre-formed bore reduces material removal significantly compared to starting from solid rod. Hold ID and OD dimensions to close tolerances with standard turning techniques. Avoid excessive clamping pressure on thin-wall sections to prevent distortion. Parting and facing operations produce clean, burr-free surfaces at standard feeds and speeds.