Plastic Sawing Machining Guidelines

Cut plastic materials using multi-axis CNC saws or manual circular or band saw blades

Sawing Guidelines

Sawing is a common method for machining plastic parts. Plastics may be cut using multi-axis CNC saws or manual circular or band saw blades. Below are guidelines for sawing several performance plastics.

Thick-walled parts should be sawed with relatively thin blades to avoid excessive frictional heat generation. Well-sharpened, strongly offset saw blades are recommended. Specially designed blades are available to optimize cutting for many plastic materials including nylon and acrylic.

Special Measures: Preheat material to 250°F Caution when using coolants, susceptible to stress cracking Use carbide-tipped tools

Heat before sawing: From 2.25" - PEEK, PPS | From 3.25" - PET, PBT | From 4.00" - Nylon 6

Material	α Clearance Angle (°)	ϒ Rake Angle (°)	V Cutting Speed (ft/min)	t Pitch (in)
ABS	15 - 30	0 - 5	980	0.078 - 0.315
Acetal (copolymer)	20 - 30	0 - 5	1640 - 2600	0.078 - 0.197
Acetal (homopolymer)	20 - 30	0 - 5	1640 - 2600	0.078 - 0.197
Noryl	15 - 30	5 - 8	980	0.118 - 0.315
Nylon 6	20 - 30	2 - 5	1640	0.118 - 0.315
PAI	5 - 10	0 - 3	2600 - 2950	0.118 - 0.50
PBT	15 - 30	5 - 8	980	0.118 - 0.315
PEEK	15 - 30	0 - 5	1640 - 2600	0.118 - 0.197
PET	15 - 30	5 - 8	980	0.118 - 0.315
Polycarbonate	15 - 30	5 - 8	980	0.118 - 0.315
Polyethylene	20 - 30	2 - 5	1640	0.118 - 0.315
Polyproylene (homopolymer)	20 - 30	2 - 5	1640	0.118 - 0.315
Polysulfone	15 - 30	0 - 4	1640	0.078 - 0.197
PPS	15 - 30	0 - 5	1640 - 2600	0.118 - 0.197
PTFE	20 - 30	5 - 8	980	0.078 - 0.197
PVDF	20 - 30	5 - 8	980	0.078 - 0.197
PPSU (Radel® R)	15 - 30	0 - 4	1640	0.078 - 0.197
Ultem®	15 - 30	0 - 4	1640	0.078 - 0.197
DuPont™ Vespel® Polyimide	5 - 10	0 - 3	2600 - 2950	0.100