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Injection molding in Acetal (POM)
Acetal (POM) is a proven choice for injection molding: low friction and wear against steel and against itself. On a representative housing at 10,000 pieces it estimates at about $0.77 per part plus $17,029 tooling, with a lead time of 6–9 weeks. Typical tolerance is ±0.005 in (±0.13 mm); ±0.002 in (±0.05 mm) on small critical features.
- Per part
- $0.77
- Tooling
- $17,029
- Lead time
- 6–9 weeks
Price it in POM
Housing · Injection molding
Order total $25,109
- Tooling
- $17,029
- one-time, spread over the order
- Piece price
- $0.77
- before setup + tooling
- Lead time
- 6–9 weeks
- to first production
Size
Drag a row to adjust · click to type
Length140140 mm
Width90.090.0 mm
Wall2.202.20 mm
Quantity
Price per part falls as volume rises
Exact quantity1000010000 pcs
Material
Design checks pass
Open in builderBudgetary estimate for a representative part. Firm quotes come from principals after drawing review.
POM vs other injection molding materials
The same housing at 10,000 pieces, priced in every material the process runs. PP is the lowest all-in cost.
| Material | Per part | All-in | Weight | Tensile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polypropylene (PP) | $0.50 | $2.24 | 66 g | 33 MPa |
| High-density polyethylene (HDPE) | $0.51 | $2.24 | 69 g | 26 MPa |
| ABS | $0.62 | $2.36 | 76 g | 43 MPa |
| Acrylic (PMMA) | $0.66 | $2.40 | 86 g | 70 MPa |
| Polycarbonate (PC) | $0.76 | $2.50 | 87 g | 65 MPa |
| PC/ABS blend | $0.76 | $2.50 | 83 g | 55 MPa |
| Acetal (POM) | $0.77 | $2.51 | 102 g | 62 MPa |
| Nylon 66 (PA66) | $0.78 | $2.52 | 83 g | 83 MPa |
| PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) | $0.81 | $2.54 | 95 g | 55 MPa |
| TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) | $0.80 | $2.54 | 72 g | 7 MPa |
| Nylon 66, 30% glass-filled (PA66-GF30) | $0.89 | $2.63 | 99 g | 190 MPa |
| PEEK (polyether ether ketone) | $12.80 | $14.50 | 94 g | 98 MPa |
POM at a glance
- Tensile strength
- 62 MPa29th pct
- Density
- 1.41 g/cm³40th pct
- Max service temp
- 100 °C10th pct
- Elongation
- 40 %65th pct
- Relative cost
- $$$$$
Bars are relative to the strongest, densest or hottest material in the SSG library. Percentile vs all 48 materials.
Strengths
- Low friction and wear against steel and against itself
- Very low moisture absorption, so dimensions stay stable
- High stiffness and fatigue resistance for springs and snap fits
- Machines cleanly to tight tolerances, including on screw machines
- Resists fuels, solvents and many chemicals
Watch for
- Degraded by strong acids and oxidizers, including sustained exposure to chlorinated water
- Difficult to bond or paint
- Shrink of about 2% needs careful tooling and uniform walls
- Not flame-rated in standard grades (UL 94 HB)
Finishes for this combination
Injection molding design rules
0.040–0.150 in (1.0–3.8 mm) nominal, varying no more than about 15%
Keep walls uniform
1–2° typical, 0.5° minimum on polished walls, plus 1–1.5° per 0.001 in (0.025 mm) of texture depth
Add draft in the line of draw
Rib thickness 50–60% of the adjoining wall; height no more than 3× wall
Size ribs to the wall
Inside radius at least 0.5× wall; outside radius equals inside radius plus wall
Radius inside corners
Boss wall no more than 60% of nominal wall; boss OD about 2× hole ID
Design bosses to avoid sink
Keep any section under 0.25 in (6 mm)
Core out thick sections
Questions
How much does injection molding in POM cost?
For a representative part (open housing 140 mm × 90 mm × 36 mm, 2.2 mm wall, 1° draft, 4 bosses, 2 ribs), SSG's estimator gives about $0.77 per part at 10,000 pieces, plus about $17,029 one-time tooling. All-in with tooling and setup that is $2.51 per part. It is budgetary; principals quote firm prices from your drawing.
Is POM a good material for injection molding?
It is when you need low friction and wear against steel and against itself and very low moisture absorption, so dimensions stay stable. Watch for degraded by strong acids and oxidizers, including sustained exposure to chlorinated water. Of 12 materials run in injection molding, it ranks 7 on all-in cost for the same part.
What finishes work on POM injection molding parts?
Common options are spi mold polish (a-1 to d-3), mold texture (mold-tech, vdi). The builder adds each finish's lot charge, per-part cost and days to the estimate.
What tolerance can injection molding hold in POM?
Typical capability is ±0.005 in (±0.13 mm); ±0.002 in (±0.05 mm) on small critical features. Tighter tolerances are possible on called-out features at added cost; specify them on the drawing rather than as a blanket note.
Quote injection molding in POM.
Upload your CAD or start from a template. The DFM check applies the rules above to your geometry.