Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is far more than just a packaging material. As an engineering-grade plastic, it offers a unique combination of clarity, strength, and chemical resistance, making it an excellent candidate for precision CNC machining. Whether you need optically clear components or durable structural parts, CNC machining transforms PET stock into high-tolerance, functional prototypes and end-use products with speed and reliability. This process unlocks the full potential of PET, delivering parts with excellent dimensional stability and a superior surface finish, ready for immediate application.
KEY BENEFITS
CNC machining PET provides a compelling set of advantages for engineers and designers across various industries.
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Excellent Clarity & Gloss | Offers glass-like transparency for applications requiring visual inspection or light transmission, with a naturally high-gloss finish. |
| High Strength & Stiffness | Provides a good strength-to-weight ratio and remarkable rigidity, making it suitable for load-bearing components. |
| Superior Chemical Resistance | Highly resistant to water, alcohols, oils, and mild solvents, ensuring long-term performance in harsh environments. |
| Low Moisture Absorption | Maintains dimensional stability and mechanical properties in humid conditions, unlike many other plastics. |
| FDA Compliance & Food-Safe | Many PET grades (like PETG) are compliant with FDA regulations for food contact, ideal for medical and consumer goods. |
| Ease of Machining | Machines cleanly and predictably with standard CNC tools, resulting in smooth edges and minimal post-processing. |
APPLICATIONS
The properties of machined PET make it ideal for a wide array of functional parts, from prototyping to full-scale production.
| Industry | Example Parts |
|---|---|
| Medical & Life Sciences | Surgical tool handles, fluid inspection chambers, device housings, biopsy component holders, lab equipment parts. |
| Consumer Electronics | Transparent protective covers, jigs and fixtures for assembly, sensor housings, prototype device enclosures. |
| Automotive | Light covers, fluid level indicators, connector housings, brackets, and prototype interior components. |
| Food & Beverage | Jigs for automated packaging lines, product handling grips, transparent gauge covers, and reusable container parts. |
| Optics & Lighting | Light guides, lenses for non-critical applications, diffusers, reflector panels, and display components. |
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
The following table summarizes key material properties for CNC Machining Grade PET, providing essential data for design and engineering decisions.
| Property | Value / Condition | Test Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 55 – 75 MPa | ASTM D638 |
| Flexural Modulus | 2,000 – 2,900 MPa | ASTM D790 |
| Impact Strength (Izod Notched) | 20 – 40 J/m | ASTM D256 |
| Heat Deflection Temp (HDT) | 70 – 80 °C @ 1.82 MPa | ASTM D648 |
| Continuous Service Temperature | -40 °C to +65 °C | – |
| Density | 1.34 – 1.39 g/cm³ | ASTM D792 |
| Water Absorption (24hr) | < 0.1% | ASTM D570 |
| Rockwell Hardness | M100 – M110 | ASTM D785 |
| Coefficient of Friction | 0.35 (Dynamic vs Steel) | – |
| Flammability Rating | HB | UL 94 |