POM · Polyoxymethylene · BASF Ultraform®

The standard material for precision drives and sliding parts

POM (polyoxymethylene, also called acetal) has high crystallinity, good rigidity and strength, a low coefficient of friction with self-lubrication, and is dimensionally stable and resistant to fuels and chemicals. It is the most established engineering plastic for replacing copper and zinc alloys in gears, slide rails, snap fits and fluid-handling parts. Yilong supplies BASF Ultraform® copolymer POM, covering general-purpose injection, wear and sliding, toughened low-odour, glass-fibre reinforced and weathering functional grades, with grade selection and small-batch trials.

Key Properties

Material properties

POM comes in homopolymer and copolymer types: the homopolymer is slightly higher in rigidity and strength but weaker in heat ageing and chemical resistance, while the copolymer blocks degradation with carbon-carbon links and is more stable long term. Ultraform® is a copolymer POM and the figures below are copolymer values. Physical property values for a specific grade are available from our sales team.

175°C
Melting point
60–75%
Crystallinity
2.0%
Moulding shrinkage (copolymer)
−60°C
Glass transition temperature
Low friction
Self-lubricating, wear resistant
Fuel resistant
Resistant to oils and chemicals
Grades & Series

Product series

Selection follows the application: general parts, drive and sliding parts, automotive interior parts and reinforced structural parts each have their own series, with grade names beginning N / S / W / H. Specific grades and property data are available from our sales team.

General-purpose injection

N2320 003 / S2320 003 and similar: the benchmark for rigidity and dimensional stability.

Wear and sliding

N2310 P / N2770 K / W2320 003: low friction, self-lubricating and quiet in operation.

Toughened low-odour

N2640 Z2 / Z4 / Z6 and LEV2: high impact with low emissions and low odour.

Glass-fibre reinforced

N2200 G23 / G43 / G53: higher rigidity and strength and improved creep resistance.

Weathering and functional

N2320 U03 for UV resistance, N2520 L antistatic and N2320 C conductive.

Extrusion and stock shapes

H4320 and similar, extruded into thick-wall rod and sheet for secondary machining.

← Swipe to see all columns →

SeriesProperty focusTypical applications
General-purpose injection High rigidity, high strength and dimensionally stable, at a good cost-performance ratio Snap fits, fasteners, housings, connectors
Wear and sliding Low friction, self-lubricating, wear resistant and quiet in operation Gears, worm wheels, bearings, slide rails, conveyor chain links
Toughened low-odour High impact and fatigue resistant with low emissions and low odour Automotive interior parts, snap fits, seat and door panel parts
Glass-fibre reinforced Higher rigidity, strength and dimensional stability, creep resistant Structural parts, modular conveyor belts, load-bearing brackets
Weathering and functional UV resistance, antistatic and conductive options matched to the requirement Outdoor parts, antistatic electronic parts, conductive components
Extrusion and stock shapes Extruded into thick-wall rod and sheet for easy secondary machining Rod, sheet and blanks for machined parts

The table above sets out where each series sits and what it is used for; no physical property values are listed. Specific grades, data sheets and compliance documents are available from our sales team.

Applications

Typical applications

Wherever a metal part has to run without lubrication, resist wear, stay quiet and tolerate oil, POM is the replacement candidate — and the automotive applications are the most concentrated.

Image: Automotive

Automotive

Fuel system parts, door lock and window regulator mechanisms, seat belt parts, interior gears and sun visors

Image: Precision drives

Precision drives

Gears, worm wheels, cams, bearings and bushes, slide rails and blocks

Image: Electrical and electronic

Electrical and electronic

Switches, connector housings, coil formers, knobs and structural parts

Image: Industry and logistics

Industry and logistics

Conveyor chain plates, modular belts, pump and valve parts, industrial fasteners

Image: Consumer goods

Consumer goods

Toothbrushes, toys, stationery, furniture slides, zips

Image: Sanitary and plumbing

Sanitary and plumbing

Tap cartridges, shower heads, irrigation nozzles, cistern fittings

Processing & Support

From grade selection to volume production

Injection moulding

Runs on standard reciprocating-screw machines over a wide processing window, but POM is sensitive to overheating and residence time, so barrel temperature and dwell time need controlling.

Drying and regrind

Moisture pick-up is low, so long drying is usually unnecessary; the regrind ratio needs controlling to avoid degradation and embrittlement.

Extrusion and profiles

Can be extruded into thick-wall rod, sheet and profiles for later turning and milling.

Grade selection and trials

We match the grade to friction and wear, strength, low odour, UV resistance and conductivity requirements, and support small trial quantities.

The Ultraform® range covers wear resistance, toughened low-odour, glass-fibre reinforcement, antistatic and conductive options; data sheets and compliance documents are available from our sales team. If you need help selecting POM, PPA or PEEK, just send us your operating conditions.

Need help selecting a POM grade or a trial quantity?

Send us the part function (drive / sliding / structural / fluid handling) and your operating conditions — temperature, media, load and volume — and we will match the grade and quote a lead time.

Request a quote