Can Polyketone (PK) Materials Provide an Alternative to Polyoxymethylene (POM)?

Polyoxymethylene (POM) is often the preferred solution for precision parts that demand high strength and stiffness, a low coefficient of friction (COF), and excellent dimensional stability. However, this semi-crystalline-engineered thermoplastic has toxicity issues due to its residual formaldehyde content, a substance of very high concern (SVHC), according to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).

Fortunately, polymers based on polyketone (PK) offer a strong potential to replace POM by delivering equivalent performance and avoiding the toxicity issues of formaldehyde. PK materials also offer sustainability advantages over POM by emitting lower carbon emissions during polymer production.