We specialize in machining various custom engineering plastic parts both prototype and production.

Because of our extensive project experience and deep understanding of plastic material processing capabilities. Whether it’s dimensional accuracy or surface quality, we consistently achieve leading standards in China.

Common plastic materials used for mechanical parts include,

Polypropylene (PP): Known for its good wear resistance and chemical stability, often used to manufacture pipes, valves, and pump bodies.
Polyethylene (PE): Offers excellent impact resistance and abrasion resistance, suitable for making bearings, gears, and mechanical parts.
Polystyrene (PS): Easy to process and mold, used for manufacturing insulation cups, models, and some mechanical parts.
Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA): High transparency and good weather resistance, commonly used for making displays, light fixtures, and lenses.
Polyester resin (PET): High strength and good heat resistance, frequently used for making enclosures and structural components of mechanical parts.
Nylon (PA): Excellent wear resistance and impact resistance, widely used for manufacturing bearing housings, gears, and bushings.

Our extensive machining experience with engineering plastic parts across various industries has allowed us to accumulate rich expertise.

Key aspects of plastic material CNC machining performance

Machinability: Some plastics are easier to machine than others, influenced by factors such as hardness, thermal stability, and abrasiveness.
Formability: Plastics can be molded or extruded into complex shapes. Formability is affected by the material’s melt flow index, viscosity, and elasticity.
Surface Finish: Achieving a smooth surface finish often depends on the material’s melt temperature range, shrinkage rate, and mold design.
Dimensional Stability: Plastics expand and contract with temperature changes. High-performance plastics are engineered to minimize dimensional changes.
Strength and Durability: Different plastics offer varying degrees of mechanical strength, impact resistance, and fatigue resistance.
Chemical Resistance: Plastics may resist or degrade when exposed to chemicals. Resistance depends on the material’s chemical composition and molecular structure.

Plastic Materials for CNC Machining

A comprehensive reference guide for material properties, processing methods, and applications of common plastic materials used in CNC machining

Plastic Type	Material Properties	Processing Methods	Surface Treatment	Typical Applications	Cost	Machining Tips
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) Thermoplastic Temperature Resistance: -20°C to 80°C Tensile Strength: 40-50 MPa Impact Strength: High Chemical Resistance: Moderate	Good impact resistance Easy to machine Moderate strength Susceptible to UV degradation Good electrical insulation properties	Injection Molding CNC Machining 3D Printing (FDM) Vacuum Forming Extrusion	Painting Electroplating Polishing UV Protective Coating	Toys and consumer products Electronic enclosures Automotive interior parts Legos and building blocks Prototype models	Low to Moderate	Use sharp tools; Control cutting speed to avoid melting; Good chip formation; Minimal tool wear
PE (Polyethylene) Thermoplastic Temperature Resistance: -50°C to 80°C Tensile Strength: 15-40 MPa Chemical Resistance: Excellent Moisture Absorption: Very Low	Low friction Good chemical resistance Soft (low strength) Prone to warping Excellent electrical insulator	Injection Molding CNC Machining Blow Molding Rotational Molding Extrusion	Surface Corona Treatment (for printing) Coating (for UV protection) Texturing Flame Treatment	Plastic bags and films Bottles and containers Industrial tanks Food packaging Piping systems	Low	Use sharp tools; Control machining temperature to reduce warping; Can be gummy; Good for low-stress applications
PP (Polypropylene) Thermoplastic Temperature Resistance: 0°C to 100°C Tensile Strength: 25-40 MPa Chemical Resistance: Excellent Fatigue Resistance: Excellent	Lightweight Good chemical resistance Low moisture absorption Tends to warp Good fatigue resistance	Injection Molding CNC Machining Thermoforming Extrusion Blow Molding	Surface Flame Treatment (for adhesion) Coating (for aesthetics) Embossing Plasma Treatment	Food containers Automotive bumpers Furniture parts Medical devices Living hinges	Low to Moderate	Use coolant; Clamp firmly to prevent warping during machining; Sharp tools essential; Moderate cutting speeds
PC (Polycarbonate) Engineering Plastic Temperature Resistance: -135°C to 135°C Tensile Strength: 55-75 MPa Impact Strength: Very High Transparency: Excellent	High impact strength Good transparency Heat-resistant Notch-sensitive Good dimensional stability	Injection Molding CNC Machining Thermoforming Extrusion Blow Molding	Edge Polishing Anti-scratch Coating Silk-screening Hard Coating	Safety glasses and face shields Optical lenses Automotive headlamp lenses Electronic components Medical devices	Moderate to High	Use coolant during machining; Avoid stress concentration; Sharp tools with positive rake; Low feed rates
Nylon (PA 6, PA 66) Engineering Plastic Temperature Resistance: -40°C to 120°C Tensile Strength: 45-90 MPa Wear Resistance: Excellent Moisture Absorption: High (1.5-3.0%)	High wear resistance Good toughness Moisture-absorbent (affects dimensions) Good chemical resistance Self-lubricating	Injection Molding CNC Machining Extrusion 3D Printing (SLS) Compression Molding	Annealing (to reduce internal stress) Coating (for moisture protection) Texturing Dyeing	Gears and bearings Automotive under-hood parts Electrical connectors Sporting goods Industrial components	Moderate	Use slow cutting speeds; Keep tools sharp; Account for moisture-related dimensional changes; Can be gummy
Acrylic (PMMA) Engineering Plastic Temperature Resistance: -40°C to 90°C Tensile Strength: 50-75 MPa Light Transmission: 92% (Excellent) UV Resistance: Excellent	High transparency Brittle Easy to scratch Good weather resistance Excellent optical clarity	Injection Molding CNC Machining Laser Cutting Thermoforming Extrusion	Flame Polishing Anti-scratch Coating Printing Vapor Polishing	Signage and displays Display cases Optical components Automotive lenses Aquarium windows	Moderate	Use low cutting forces; Avoid rough handling to prevent chipping; Sharp tools essential; Can crack if stressed
POM (Polyoxymethylene) Engineering Plastic Temperature Resistance: -40°C to 100°C Tensile Strength: 60-70 MPa Stiffness: Very High Moisture Absorption: Very Low (0.2%)	High stiffness Low friction Good dimensional stability Brittle at low temperatures Excellent creep resistance	Injection Molding CNC Machining Extrusion Blow Molding Compression Molding	Surface Polishing Anti-static Coating Laser Marking Plating	Zipper teeth Precision gears Plumbing fittings Automotive components Electrical insulators	Moderate	Use sharp tools; Avoid machining at very low temperatures; Good dimensional stability; Produces long chips
PEEK (Polyetheretherketone) High-Performance Plastic Temperature Resistance: -60°C to 260°C Tensile Strength: 90-100 MPa Chemical Resistance: Excellent Radiation Resistance: Excellent	Excellent thermal stability High mechanical strength Excellent chemical resistance Good wear resistance Low smoke and toxic gas emission	CNC Machining Injection Molding Extrusion 3D Printing (FDM) Compression Molding	Surface Polishing Plasma Treatment Coating Laser Marking	Aerospace components Medical implants Semiconductor manufacturing Oil and gas equipment High-temperature bearings	High	Use sharp carbide tools; High cutting speeds with low feed rates; Good chip formation; Coolant recommended
PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) High-Performance Plastic Temperature Resistance: -200°C to 260°C Tensile Strength: 20-35 MPa Chemical Resistance: Exceptional Coefficient of Friction: Very Low (0.05-0.10)	Excellent chemical resistance Very low friction Non-stick properties Excellent electrical insulation Soft and deformable	CNC Machining Compression Molding Ram Extrusion Paste Extrusion Isostatic Pressing	Etching (for bonding) Coating Surface Texturing None typically needed	Non-stick coatings Chemical processing equipment Electrical insulation Bearings and seals Medical devices	High	Soft and gummy; Use very sharp tools; Low cutting speeds; Can be difficult to hold dimensional tolerances
PEI (Polyetherimide) - Ultem High-Performance Plastic Temperature Resistance: -160°C to 170°C Tensile Strength: 105-110 MPa Flame Resistance: Excellent (UL94 V-0) Chemical Resistance: Good	High heat resistance Excellent mechanical properties Inherent flame resistance Good dimensional stability Transparent amber color	CNC Machining Injection Molding Extrusion 3D Printing (FDM) Thermoforming	Surface Polishing Coating Plating Laser Marking	Aerospace components Medical sterilization equipment Electrical insulators Automotive under-hood parts Food processing equipment	High	Use sharp carbide tools; Moderate cutting speeds; Good dimensional stability; Can be brittle
PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) Thermoplastic Temperature Resistance: -40°C to 70°C Tensile Strength: 55-80 MPa Barrier Properties: Excellent Recyclability: Excellent	Good mechanical properties Excellent barrier to gases Good chemical resistance Transparent Recyclable	Injection Molding CNC Machining Extrusion Blow Molding Thermoforming Stretch Blow Molding	Coating Printing Surface Treatment Metallization	Beverage bottles Food packaging Textile fibers Electrical insulation Engineering components	Medium	Use sharp tools; Moderate cutting speeds; Can be brittle; Good for precision parts
PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate) Engineering Plastic Temperature Resistance: -40°C to 120°C Tensile Strength: 50-60 MPa Chemical Resistance: Excellent Moisture Absorption: Low (0.3%)	Good mechanical properties Excellent electrical properties Low moisture absorption Good chemical resistance Fast cycling in molding	Injection Molding CNC Machining Extrusion Blow Molding Thermoforming	Painting Plating Laser Marking Texturing	Electrical connectors Automotive components Household appliances Consumer electronics Lighting components	Medium	Good machinability; Use standard cutting tools; Moderate speeds and feeds; Low warpage
PPS (Polyphenylene Sulfide) High-Performance Plastic Temperature Resistance: -50°C to 220°C Tensile Strength: 80-85 MPa Chemical Resistance: Excellent Flame Resistance: Excellent (UL94 V-0)	Excellent thermal stability Outstanding chemical resistance Inherent flame resistance Good dimensional stability Low moisture absorption	Injection Molding CNC Machining Extrusion Compression Molding Transfer Molding	Surface Treatment Coating Plating Laser Marking	Electrical components Automotive under-hood parts Chemical processing equipment Aerospace components Industrial applications	High	Use carbide tools; High cutting speeds; Good dimensional stability; Abrasive to tools

We specialize in machining various custom engineering plastic parts both prototype and production.

Because of our extensive project experience and deep understanding of plastic material processing capabilities. Whether it’s dimensional accuracy or surface quality, we consistently achieve leading standards in China.

Common plastic materials used for mechanical parts include,

Our extensive machining experience with engineering plastic parts across various industries has allowed us to accumulate rich expertise.

Key aspects of plastic material CNC machining performance

Plastic Materials for CNC Machining

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