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 |
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Plastic Applications
Discover plastic materials with characteristics important to your application.
Operating Environments
Plastic materials are engineered to perform in the most challenging conditions including temperature, chemicals, and more.
Material Selection Tools
Tools to help you select materials by plastic properties, chemical resistance, FDA compliance, or brand.
