15Plastics105Db
Selection guide

Best plastics for gears

Plastic gears reduce noise, weight, and cost versus metal — but only if you specify a polymer with the right friction, dimensional stability, and fatigue behaviour. Acetal (POM), Nylon (PA6/PA66) and PEEK dominate the category; each wins in a different niche.

What to look for

  • Low coefficient of friction and inherent lubricity
  • High flexural fatigue strength
  • Dimensional stability under load and moisture
  • Good machinability or moldability for tight tolerances

Top materials for best plastics for gears

  1. #1PA66Polyamide 6,6 (Nylon)

    A tough, wear-resistant nylon widely used for gears, bushings, and under-the-hood automotive parts.

  2. #2PEEKPolyether Ether Ketone

    A semi-crystalline high-performance polymer with outstanding thermal, chemical, and mechanical properties.

  3. #3POM (Delrin)Polyoxymethylene

    A stiff, low-friction acetal polymer engineered for precision gears and mechanical parts.

  4. #4PA610 Low AbsorptionPolyamide 610 Low Absorption

    Lower moisture absorption than PA6/PA66, good chemical and dimensional stability.

  5. #5POM HomopolymerPolyoxymethylene Homopolymer

    High stiffness, strength, excellent fatigue resistance and low friction.

  6. #6POM CopolymerPolyoxymethylene Copolymer

    Good chemical resistance, fatigue strength, and creep resistance.

  7. #7PPA Mineral FilledPolyphthalamide, Mineral Filled

    High stiffness, improved dimensional stability, and controlled shrinkage.

  8. #8Glass-Filled PA11Polyamide 11, Glass Fiber Reinforced

    Good balance of stiffness, toughness, and dimensional stability.

  9. #9Glass-Filled PA610Polyamide 610, Glass Fiber Reinforced

    Improved stiffness and strength with lower moisture absorption than PA6/PA66.

  10. #10Impact Modified PA610Polyamide 610, Impact Modified

    Improved impact strength while maintaining low moisture absorption.

  11. #11Impact Modified Acetal HomopolymerPolyoxymethylene Homopolymer, Impact Modified

    High stiffness combined with improved impact strength.

  12. #12Impact Modified Acetal CopolymerPolyoxymethylene Copolymer, Impact Modified

    Good impact strength and chemical resistance.

  13. #13UHMWPE Bearing GradeUltra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Bearing Grade

    Exceptional wear resistance and low friction for demanding mechanical applications.

  14. #14General Purpose Styrene-Butadiene RubberStyrene-Butadiene Rubber (General Purpose)

    A cost-effective synthetic rubber offering good abrasion resistance and aging properties, commonly used in tires.

  15. #15Tough Abrasion-Resistant Thermoplastic Polyurethane (Polyester)Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) - Polyester type

    A highly versatile thermoplastic elastomer offering excellent abrasion resistance, toughness, and flexibility.

  16. #16General Purpose Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene TPEStyrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) block copolymer

    An unsaturated thermoplastic elastomer commonly used in adhesives, asphalt modification, and footwear.

  17. #17Flexible Durable Copolyester Ether (Hytrel)Copolyester Ether (COPE - Hytrel family)

    A thermoplastic elastomer combining the flexibility of rubber with the processability of thermoplastics and excellent fatigue resistance.

  18. #18Lightweight Flexible Polyamide Elastomer (Pebax)Polyamide Elastomer (TPA - Pebax® family)

    A lightweight thermoplastic elastomer based on polyether-block-polyamide, offering exceptional flexibility and energy return.

  19. #19Durable Tough Cast PolyurethaneCast Polyurethane (PU) elastomer

    A high-performance elastomer processed by casting liquid components, offering exceptional toughness, abrasion resistance, and load-bearing capacity.

  20. #20Abrasion Resistant Thermoplastic Polyurethane for FootwearThermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) - Abrasion Resistant Grade for Footwear

    A TPU grade specifically formulated for high abrasion resistance and durability in footwear soles and components.

Frequently asked

Is POM or Nylon better for gears?

POM (acetal) offers superior dimensional stability and low friction; Nylon absorbs impact and mating shock better. Choose POM for precision timing gears, Nylon for higher-shock power gears.

When should I switch to PEEK gears?

PEEK is justified above ~120 °C service temperature, in chemically aggressive environments, or where extreme fatigue life is required.

Values are indicative and vary by grade and manufacturer. Always confirm against the official datasheet before specification.