HDPE CNC Machining
High-density polyethylene (HDPE), with its superior strength, durability, and chemical resistance, is ideal for precise CNC machining in diverse industrial applications.
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Advanced CNC Machining Sercice for Your HDPE Parts
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AT-Machining is a premier provider of CNC machining services based in China. Our comprehensive range of 3-axis, 4-axis, and 5-axis CNC milling, turning centers, and CNC Lathe machines empower us to manufacture precise, top-quality CNC parts that meet your exact specifications. With a capacity of over 50 CNC machines in China, AT-Machining can serve as your perfect partner for outsourcing custom and precision CNC machining services, regardless of your industry.
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Optimized CNC milling machining service for POM parts, offering precision and versatility with 3, 4, and 5-axis capability.
Efficient cnc turning with live tooling for machining Delrin parts with cylindrical features, combining lathe and milling capabilities.
The surface finish of the CNC machined POM parts can be further improved with additional finishing techniques such as polishing or sandblasting.
Applications of HDPE plastic
Packaging Industry: HDPE is essential in packaging for creating resilient and safe containers for food, beverages, personal care products, and pharmaceuticals, prized for its strength, chemical resistance, and non-reactivity.
Construction Industry: In construction, HDPE is a go-to for pipes, geomembranes, and fittings, offering unmatched corrosion resistance, flexibility, and durability for plumbing, sewage, and gas distribution systems.
Agriculture: HDPE finds extensive use in agricultural applications like irrigation systems, silo bags, and greenhouse films, chosen for its moisture resistance, durability under sunlight, and chemical inertness.
Automotive Industry: Employed in the automotive sector for fuel tanks, interior cabin components, and under-hood parts, HDPE offers impact resistance, light weight, and resistance to chemicals and moisture.
Consumer Goods: In consumer goods, HDPE is favored for manufacturing strong, durable toys, household items, and outdoor furniture, owing to its robustness, weather resistance, and long-term durability.
Advantages of HDPE
- Chemical resistance: HDPE is resistant to acids, bases, oils, and other chemicals that can degrade other plastics.
- Impact strength: HDPE has good impact strength and toughness and is able to withstand moderate impacts without cracking.
- Low moisture absorption: HDPE does not readily absorb or allow water and moisture diffusion.
- Excellent electrical properties: HDPE is an excellent electrical insulator with high dielectric strength.
- Good stress crack resistance: HDPE resists crack propagation and failure due to applied stress over time.
- Recyclable: HDPE is one of the most commonly and readily recycled plastic materials.
- Low cost: HDPE is an economical plastic resin compared to many engineering thermoplastics.
- Good fatigue resistance: HDPE exhibits good long-term durability and resistance to cyclic fatigue stresses.
Disadvantages of HDPE
- Not resistant to solvents: HDPE can be dissolved by or swelled by contact with some solvents like xylene.
- Poor weathering properties: HDPE degrades and becomes brittle when exposed to sunlight and other weather elements.
- Limited temperature range: HDPE can withstand a relatively narrow temperature range before softening or melting.
- Permeable to gases: HDPE allows some gases like oxygen to diffuse through it slowly over time.
- Difficult colorability: Pigments and dyes do not bond well with HDPE, making consistent coloration difficult.
- Moderate rigidity: HDPE has only moderate stiffness and rigidity properties compared to other plastics.
- Moderate strength: HDPE has moderate tensile and compressive strength compared to other popular plastics.
HDPE Mechanical Properties Chart
Material selection can be the difference between success and failure for any project. Educate yourself on material properties to make sure you use them in a way that brings optimal results.
| Density (g /cm3) | Rockwell Hardness | Tensile Strength, Yield | Elongation at Break | Tensile Modulus | Softening Temperature | Friction Coefficient | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDPE | 0.941 - 0.965 | R65 | 20 - 33 MPa | About 62% | 700-1500 MPa | 60-80°C | 0.25 to 0.35 (static) 0.12 to 0.22(dynamic) |
HDPE CNC Machining
HDPE is an excellent plastic for CNC machining. With a semi-crystalline structure, it provides good dimensional stability and low warpage. HDPE machines smoothly with sharp cutters, producing glossy finished surfaces. Low cutting forces allow high MRRs.
HDPE’s high impact strength resists chipping during machining. It has a wide working temperature range, from cryogenic to 130°C. HDPE exhibits low friction and abrasion resistance, leading to good tool life. Though HDPE melts at 130°C, limiting heat generation is prudent.
HDPE is naturally hydrophobic and chemically resistant, enabling machining in wet environments if required.
Overall, HDPE’s properties like toughness, stiffness, low friction and chemical resistance make this widely available plastic highly machinable for applications like chemical tanks, medical parts, and wear components.
available surface Finishes for CNC machined HDPE Parts
- Smoothed Finish: The surface can be made smoother by sanding or using other smoothing techniques, reducing tool marks and surface roughness.
- Bead Blasting: This process involves shooting small glass beads at the surface of the HDPE part, which results in a uniform matte surface that hides tool marks and minor imperfections.
- Painted Finish: HDPE can be painted for aesthetic purposes or for added surface protection. It requires proper surface preparation to ensure good adhesion.
- Polished Finish: For a glossy, shiny surface, HDPE parts can be polished. This process often requires multiple stages of sanding and buffing.
- Chemical Treatment: Some chemical treatments can alter the surface characteristics of HDPE, such as improving UV resistance or changing the texture.
- Dyed Finish: HDPE can be dyed to achieve different colors, although this is less common due to the material’s color retention properties.
- Textured Surface: CNC machining can create textured surfaces on HDPE for enhanced grip or decorative purposes.
CNC Machining HDPE FAQs
HDPE is a thermoplastic polymer known for its high strength-to-density ratio. It’s used in CNC machining for its ease of machining, chemical resistance, and durability, making it suitable for various applications, including industrial components and consumer products.
Yes, HDPE can be machined to high precision. However, it’s important to consider its thermal expansion and flexibility, which may affect dimensional accuracy in certain applications.
HDPE has a lower modulus of rigidity compared to metals, making it less suitable for load-bearing applications. It also has a lower temperature resistance and can deform under high heat.
Yes, HDPE is recyclable. Offcuts and shavings from the CNC machining process can be collected and recycled.
HDPE is used in a wide range of applications, including piping systems, containers, wear strips, insulators, and parts for the food processing industry due to its FDA compliance.
HDPE offers a good balance between ease of machining, strength, and cost compared to other plastics. It’s not as rigid as some engineering plastics, but it excels in chemical resistance and impact strength.