Delrin® is a patented thermoplastic polyoxymethylene (POM) material engineered by DuPont™ in 1960. It is a polymer highly valued for its durability, stiffness, and dimensional stability. Parts made of Delrin withstand a wide range of temperatures, from -50° C up to 90° C. Its impact resistance, stability, and temperature resistance make it ideal for use in components for high-impact and heavy-duty applications, such as washers, gears, bearings, pumps, and engines.

Since washers must endure an exceptional amount of stress in a variety of demanding applications, Delrin is the perfect material for high performance washers in a variety of applications and industries.

What are Delrin Washers?

A washer is a flat ring often composed of metal, rubber, or plastic used to cushion, seal, and distribute force in equipment where two or more surfaces are joined. Washers must be able to effectively withstand considerable pressure, wear, torque, friction, and abrasive conditions, while maintaining their shape and functionality.

Delrin’s superior tensile strength, durability, and creep resistance make it an ideal washer material. The homopolymer plastic exhibits a stable crystalline structure, which allows it to maintain its shape and form under pressure. This makes it less expensive and a more versatile option than many of the washer materials currently on the market.

Industry Applications That Utilize Delrin

With its unique properties, Delrin is valued for use in heavy impact and high-load application components such as gears, fasteners, bearings, pump components, and vehicle engine parts. Delrin is available in a variety of unique formulations to provide affordable and reliable solutions for a wide range of industries, including:

• Aerospace and military equipment
• Automotive components
• Consumer goods
• Kitchen appliances
• Electrical insulation
• Industrial fasteners
• Indoor and outdoor furniture
• Power tools
• Plumbing fixtures
• Food and beverage production
• Construction equipment

Delrin Benefits

Compared to more traditional materials, washers composed of Delrin offer a wide range of advantages, such as:

• High tensile strength
• Temperature resistance
• Low creep
• Chemical resistance
• Exceptional durability
• Minimal moisture absorption
• Superior abrasion and wear resistance
• Low friction

Delrin vs. Acetal

Delrin and acetal are similar materials. Delrin is an acetal variant and possesses many of the same fundamental characteristics. Acetal is a copolymer, which means that it consists of multiple monomer molecules, whereas Delrin is a more stable homopolymer with only one type of monomer molecule incorporated into its structure. This fundamental difference makes Delrin a stronger and stiffer material than acetal copolymer.

Both acetal and Delrin exhibit a semi-crystalline structure, which makes them stronger, lighter, more flexible, and more resistant to corrosion than many alternatives. However, Delrin exhibits greater tensile strength and impact resistance than acetal. It is also lighter, with a lower density that is useful in larger components. Both materials exhibit low moisture absorption, and are extremely reliable in harsh environmental conditions.

Overall, acetal is somewhat less expensive than Delrin to produce and fabricate. However, Delrin is stronger and more durable, especially in high impact and heavy load bearing applications.

Delrin® Washers from New Process Fibre

Although Delrin is a relatively new material used in washers, its superior qualities have ensured that it is in high demand for components that require durability under particularly harsh operating conditions. The use of Delrin washers enhances mechanical performance of equipment, thereby increasing its efficiency and service life while reducing the need for maintenance, repairs, and replacements.

At New Process Fibre, we pride ourselves in providing high-quality, state-of-the-art non-metallic components. Since 1921, we have been dedicated to the innovation and technological advancement of non-metal fabrication services, and we are pleased to offer a wide range of materials and customized processes to suit the needs of our broad client base. In addition to Delrin, we provide stamping for a large assortment of non-metal materials, including HDPE, LDPE, vulcanized fiber, acetal, and nylon, among many others.

A family owned business, New Process Fibre is dedicated to product innovation, quality assurance, and competitive pricing. Our broad array of materials, in-house fabrication processes, and robust quality assurance procedures help us to ensure the highest-quality stamped non-metallic components in the industry.

To learn more about our Delrin washers and our other exceptional non-metal solutions and products, feel free to contact us today to speak with a member of our team. You can also request a quote for more information on our Delrin washers, or access our Delrin washers catalog here.