THE INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE ON THE FIVE-AXIS PROCESSING OF ENGINEERING PLASTICS

The influence of temperature on the five-axis CNC machining of engineering plastics – Leland Tech has solved the influence of temperature on the processing accuracy of engineering plastics

Thermal properties refer to the degree to which various shapes of plastics change under the influence of temperature changes. Generally, thermal properties are most closely related to plastic CNC machining. The deformation of plastic will be affected by the following factors: Glass Transition Point (Tg), Melting Point (Tm) of the plastic, Heat distortion temperature (HDT), and Heat Expansion coefficient (Heat Expansion coefficient) , Shrinkage (Shrinkage) Among them, the shrinkage is also different because of thermoplastic or thermosetting plastics.

In the past 16 years, Leland Tech has continuously improved the machining process for the deformation characteristics and properties of different plastics. Now we have a complete set of machined processing systems. The plastic machining workshop is in year-round constant temperature. We summarizes reasonable and effective processing procedures for Plastic CNC machining, and strictly controls the deformation of engineering plastics during processing to achieve the highest precision of parts and ensure the superior performance of the material itself.
Engineering plastic machined products may deform,

The material properties of some plastic products will also change after being subjected to high temperatures. Therefore, before selecting processed plastics, we must have a clear understanding of the physical and chemical properties of each engineering plastic. After years of research, Leland Tech has fully understood the changes in thermal properties of most engineering plastic products and the probability of deformation that may occur during and after machining.

At present, our company has developed the procedures and technical parameters suitable for different products for different properties of engineering plastics through the following parameters.

1. Continuous working temperature of different engineering plastics
The temperature at which engineering plastics can work continuously differs greatly. For example, PEEK and PI can withstand continuous working temperatures up to 260 degrees. PPS, a material similar to PEEK, can also reach 240 degrees. PAI can withstand a high temperature of 350 degrees to work Continuously. , PBI can also withstand a high temperature of 310 degrees, PTFE (Teflon) is also a high temperature resistant plastic, continuously working temperature is 260 degrees, some other engineering plastics, such as PCTFE, PEI, PVDF, PSU, PA6 (Nylon ), PC, continuously working temperature is also around 150 degrees, like the more cost-effective engineering plastics POM and ABS can also work at a high temperature of 100 degrees.

2. Short-term working temperature, deformation and melting temperature
Compared with metal, the deformation and melting temperature of plastic products are relatively low, but with the development of technology, there are a number of high-end engineering plastics that also have high melting temperatures. For example, PEEK can work at a temperature of up to 500 degrees for a short time. Engineering plastics like PI, PBI, PFA, PTFE can also work for a short time at temperatures as high as 300-500 degrees, and others like PC, PCTFE, PEI, and PPS can also work for a short time at a high temperature of 200 degrees.

3. Thermal conductivity

The thermal conductivity of most engineering plastics is relatively low. For example, PEEK has a thermal conductivity of only around 0.28, so they are more suitable for use as heat insulation materials in different industries, especially the electronics industry, automobile industry, semiconductor industry, etc.

The thermal conductivity of most engineering plastics is relatively low. For example, PEEK has a thermal conductivity of only around 0.28, so they are more suitable for use as heat insulation materials in different industries, especially the electronics industry, automobile industry, semiconductor industry, etc.

4. Low temperature working temperature (brittleness temperature)

Many engineering plastics currently used in different industries can work at low temperatures below zero. For example, PEEK can work at minus 150 degrees for a long time, and PTFE can also resist work at minus 180 degrees. PCTFE, UPE, PAI can work at around minus 200 degrees, and the most low-temperature resistant engineering plastic PI can even work at minus 270 degrees (close to absolute zero). Other cost-effective plastics such as POM and Nylon (PA6) can also work at dozen of degrees below zero.

In Leland Tech, the machining of engineering plastics has been our main industry for the past 16 years. After fully studying the characteristics of different engineering plastics, we have two engineering departments specializing in researching new technologies and CNC processing procedures for different engineering plastics machining. In addition, our engineering plastics machining is in a constant temperature workshop equipped with central air-conditioning, which can well avoid deformation due to machining temperature changes during machining.