Tier 3material

High-Performance Plastics Machining for Aerospace

High-performance plastics including PEEK, Ultem, Torlon, and Vespel provide weight savings and specialized properties for aerospace applications. Machining requires temperature control and specialized tooling to prevent melting and deformation.

±0.001" to ±0.005"
Tolerances
32-63 Ra
Surface Finish
0+
Qualified Shops
Certified
AS9100

Why Aerospace Requires Aerospace Plastics & Composites

  • ✓Significant weight reduction vs metals
  • ✓Electrical insulation properties
  • ✓Chemical resistance
  • ✓Wear resistance without lubrication
  • ✓Radar transparency for radomes

Typical Applications

→Bushings and bearings
→Electrical insulators
→Structural brackets (weight critical)
→Seal and gasket components
→Radome structures
→Interior components

Materials Commonly Machined

PEEK - General high performanceUltem (PEI) - Flame resistantTorlon (PAI) - High strengthVespel - Extreme temperatureDelrin (POM) - Dimensional stabilityPTFE - Low friction

Technical Considerations

  • •Sharp tooling prevents melting
  • •Air blast cooling often preferred over flood
  • •Low feeds and speeds for thermoplastics
  • •Support thin walls to prevent deflection

Tolerances Achievable

Position
±0.001" to ±0.005"
Surface Finish
32-63 Ra
General
±0.002"

Recommended Certifications

AS9100 →ISO 9001 →

Related Capabilities

Need Aerospace Plastics & Composites?

Connect with AS9100 certified shops that specialize in aerospace plastics & composites for aerospace applications.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Aerospace Plastics & Composites?

High-performance plastics including PEEK, Ultem, Torlon, and Vespel provide weight savings and specialized properties for aerospace applications. Machining requires temperature control and specialized tooling to prevent melting and deformation.

Why is Aerospace Plastics & Composites important for aerospace?

Significant weight reduction vs metals

What tolerances can be achieved?

±0.001" to ±0.005"