Material selection guidance — choose right, save detours
Company Strength
20 Years of Experience
72 Sets of CNC Machines
Precision: ±0.01mm
7-15 Days Fast Shipping
Quality Advantages
No Knife Marks
No Scratches
No Blemishes
No Color Difference
Why Does PVC Machining Emit a Pungent Odor?
PVC has poor thermal stability and decomposes to release hydrogen chloride when the cutting zone exceeds 150°C. The solution is to remove heat rather than force the cut: use sharp tooling, moderate spindle speeds, adequate air cooling or minimal oil mist lubrication, and ensure timely chip evacuation to prevent repeated friction from chip buildup. Our stations are equipped with independent exhaust systems, and parts are cleaned and packaged after machining.
Acrylic is more transparent, reaching up to 92% light transmission; when polished, it resembles optical glass and resists yellowing outdoors. Clear PVC looks similar after polishing but is less expensive and inherently flame-retardant (UL94 V-0), making it suitable for machine windows or protective shields that do not require the highest optical clarity.
Both can withstand repeated 134°C steam sterilization. PSU has a long-term operating temperature of approximately 160°C and is more cost-effective. PPSU offers better impact resistance, chemical stability, and higher transparency. It can endure thousands of sterilization cycles, making it the preferred choice for surgical instrument handles, sterilization trays, and dental handpiece components. For medical parts, we provide original manufacturer material certificates and biocompatibility documentation.
Which engineering plastics can withstand repeated autoclaving?
Common choices are PPSU, PSU, PEI, and PEEK. PPSU withstands over 1,000 cycles at 134°C with the best impact resistance; PEI is heat-resistant to 170°C at a lower cost; PEEK has the highest heat tolerance and is suitable for implant-grade applications. PC and ABS are unsuitable for repeated high-pressure sterilization, as they are prone to stress cracking or yellowing after just a few cycles.
Can Plastic Parts Achieve a Ra0.4μm Mirror Finish?
Yes, but not all plastics can achieve this. Dense, polishable materials such as acrylic, PC, POM, and PEEK, when processed with diamond tooling and polishing, can consistently reach surface roughness below Ra0.4μm, achieving a high-gloss, mirror-like appearance. Glass or carbon fiber-filled grades, due to exposed fibers, can only achieve a matte or satin finish, which we will clarify in advance.
How do you control surface appearance for plastic parts with scratches or flow marks?
Appearance quality is a core strength. We use a three-stage control process: during machining, sharp tools with high RPM and shallow cuts prevent tool marks and roughness; between processes, all parts are film-wrapped and transferred in individual stations to avoid stacking scratches; before shipping, each piece is inspected under standard light sources against strict criteria for glossy, scratch-free, and blemish-free finishes. Batch consistency is guaranteed by fixed parameters and fixtures, not manual picking.
We focus on volume production with a standard MOQ of 100 units. Unit pricing for plastic parts is highly volume-sensitive—raw materials are purchased in full sheets or bars, so material waste and setup time cannot be amortized below 100 units. Prices drop significantly above 100 units, with a standard lead time of 15-25 days for batch orders.
Can Plastic and Aluminum Parts Maintain Consistent Aesthetic Quality?
The criteria for judgment are consistent: high gloss, high-shine surface, no scratches, and no defects. The difference lies in the process—aluminum parts rely on anodizing and polishing, while plastic parts use diamond cutting and flame polishing or mechanical polishing. When aluminum and plastic parts are mixed in the same batch, we standardize color swatches and gloss samples to avoid visual discrepancies between the two materials on the same product.
Send your STEP / DWG / PDF drawing and get a detailed quote with free DFM analysis and process recommendations within 2 hours. No minimum order — from 1 piece.
