POM Tube — IDs, ODs, Wall Thicknesses & Lengths
POM tube is hollow cylindrical stock produced from polyoxymethylene (POM), offering the low friction, high stiffness, and excellent dimensional stability of the acetal family in a ready-to-machine tubular form. Starting from tube rather than boring solid rod reduces machining time and material waste when producing bushings, sleeve bearings, guide rings, and other hollow rotational components.
At a glance:
- Standard OD range: approximately 1" to 6" with matching ID dimensions
- Wall thicknesses: standard and heavy wall options available
- Standard lengths: 2 ft and 4 ft
- Material: Polyoxymethylene (POM)
- Color: Natural (white/off-white)
- Very low moisture absorption — bore dimensions remain stable in service
Standard Size Table
POM tube is stocked in common OD/ID combinations for efficient material use:
| 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 sleeves |
| 2.5" | 1.5" | 0.5" | 2 ft, 4 ft | Guide rings, spacers |
| 3.0" | 2.0" | 0.5" | 2 ft, 4 ft | Large bore applications |
| 4.0" | 2.5" | 0.75" | 2 ft | Heavy-wall components |
Confirm current OD/ID inventory with Ready Plastics; custom wall configurations available.
Mechanical & Thermal Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.49 g/cm³ |
| Water absorption (24 h / 96 h) | 0.05 / 0.1 % |
| Heat deflection temp. (HDT) | 141 °C / 285 °F |
| Service temp. (long term) | 110 °C / 230 °F |
| Tensile strength | 53 MPa / 7,600 psi |
| Flexural strength | 85 MPa / 12,000 psi |
| Shore D hardness | 81 |
Typical Applications
POM tube stock provides an efficient starting point for hollow machined parts:
- Plain bearings and sleeve bushings — self-lubricating surface reduces maintenance needs
- Bearing retainers and cages — stiffness maintains geometry under radial and thrust loads
- Conveyor rollers and guide sleeves — wear resistance in continuous contact applications
- Insulating tubes and spacers — non-conductive for electrical isolation assemblies
- Fluid-handling fittings and connectors — chemical resistance for light-duty fluid contact
- Custom annular components — eliminates bore cycle time vs. solid rod starting stock
Machining POM Tube
POM tube turns cleanly on a lathe with carbide or HSS tooling at conventional feeds and speeds. The pre-formed bore allows focusing on OD finishing and length cuts, reducing total cycle time. Avoid over-clamping thin-wall sections, which can cause out-of-round distortion. Facing and parting produce smooth, burr-free ends. For thin-wall configurations, support the ID with a plug or mandrel during lathe operations to maintain concentricity.