What is the Difference Between POM-H and POM-C?

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POM-H and POM-C are both types of polyoxymethylene (POM), a high molecular weight thermoplastic polymer widely used in various industrial applications. The main differences between POM-H and POM-C are:

  1. Crystallinity and structure: POM-H is a homopolymer, produced by anionic polymerization of formaldehyde, resulting in higher crystallinity and better physical and mechanical properties compared to POM-C. POM-C is a copolymer, produced by cationic polymerization of trioxane, with lower crystallinity.
  2. Density, hardness, and strength: POM-H has a slightly higher density, hardness, and strength than POM-C due to its higher crystallinity.
  3. Chemical resistance and melting point: POM-C has higher chemical resistance and a lower melting point than POM-H.
  4. Processability: POM-C has better processability and lower workability than POM-H.
  5. Applications: POM-H is best suited for applications where properties like good abrasion resistance and low friction are required, while POM-C is ideal for applications requiring properties such as a low coefficient of friction.

In summary, POM-H has better mechanical and physical properties, while POM-C offers higher chemical resistance and lower melting point. The choice between POM-H and POM-C depends on the specific requirements of the application.

Comparative Table: POM-H vs POM-C

POM-H and POM-C are both thermoplastics, but they have different properties and applications. Here is a table comparing their key differences:

Property POM-H (Homopolymer) POM-C (Copolymer)
Full Name POM Homopolymer POM Copolymer
Produced by Anionic polymerization of formaldehyde Copolymerization of trioxane and a small amount of dioxolane
Hardness and Stiffness Hard and stiff Not as hard and stiff as POM-H
Processability Low High
Melting Point 172-184 °C 160-175 °C
Processing Temperature 194-244°C 172-205°C
Elastic Modulus (MPa) 4623 -
Applications Good abrasion resistance, low coefficient of friction Low coefficient of friction

POM-H is produced by anionic polymerization of formaldehyde, resulting in high stiffness and strength, while POM-C is produced by copolymerization of trioxane and a small amount of dioxolane. POM-H has better physical and mechanical properties than POM-C, making it suitable for applications requiring good abrasion resistance and low coefficient of friction. In contrast, POM-C is ideal for applications needing low coefficient of friction due to its high processability.