Metal-to-Plastic Replacement

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Why Replace Metal with Engineering Plastics

High-performance engineering plastics such as PEEK, POM-C and PA6C now match or exceed the mechanical performance required in many applications previously reserved for metal, while offering advantages metal cannot provide: significantly lower weight, no corrosion, self-lubricating and low-friction operation, and electrical or thermal insulation where required.

Metal-to-plastic replacement is most effective where corrosion, weight, chemical exposure, noise, electrical conductivity or lubrication requirements limit the performance or service life of a metal component. Reinforced grades such as PEEK CF30 and PEEK GF30 provide the stiffness and dimensional stability needed for structural and load-bearing applications, closing the performance gap with metal in demanding environments.

Plastix Factory supports this conversion process with material selection guidance, standard and reinforced stock, and CNC machining to your existing metal part drawings, delivered through the same digital platform used for the full material range.

Weight Reduction

Plastics typically weigh a fraction of comparable metal components, reducing load and inertia in moving assemblies.

Corrosion Elimination

No rust or galvanic corrosion, removing a major cause of metal part failure in humid or chemical environments.

Self-Lubricating Operation

Grades such as PEEK HPV and POM-C reduce or eliminate the need for external lubrication.

Electrical & Thermal Insulation

Non-conductive grades isolate components where metal would create electrical or thermal paths.

Reduced Noise & Vibration

Lower stiffness and damping characteristics reduce operating noise compared to metal parts.

Lower Total Cost of Ownership

Reduced maintenance, longer service life in corrosive or dry-running conditions, and lower part weight can reduce total lifecycle cost despite differing unit material cost.

Materials Suited to Metal Replacement

Reinforced PEEK, self-lubricating PEEK HPV, POM-C and PA6C cover the stiffness, wear resistance and machinability needed to replace bronze, brass, steel and cast metal parts.

PEEK CF30

30% carbon fibre reinforcement delivering significantly enhanced stiffness and load-bearing capacity.

PEEK GF30

30% glass fibre reinforcement providing enhanced rigidity and dimensional stability.

PEEK HPV

Specially developed for components operating under high pressure, high velocity and extreme friction.

POM-C

Excellent dimensional stability and low friction, widely used to replace brass and steel in gears, rollers and precision mechanical components.

PA6C

High strength and machinability for structural and wear parts replacing cast metal components.

Typical Applications

Metal-to-plastic conversion is applied across bearings, rollers, gears and structural housings wherever weight, corrosion, friction or noise limit the performance of the metal original.

Bearings, Bushings & Bearing Housings

Replacing bronze, brass or steel bearings with self-lubricating, corrosion-free plastic equivalents.

Rollers, Sheaves & Guides

Conveying and mechanical handling components converted from metal to reduce weight and friction.

Gears & Mechanical Transmission Parts

Precision plastic gears replacing metal gears in lower-load, noise-sensitive or lubrication-free applications.

Structural & Housing Components

Reinforced plastic structural parts replacing metal housings where weight and corrosion resistance are priorities.

Start Buying Engineering Plastics Online

Log in to Plastix Factory to check availability, calculate prices and order materials or CNC-machined metal replacement parts online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about accessing Plastix Factory, placing orders, checking live pricing and downloading technical material documentation online.

Customers can log in or request access to the Plastix Factory platform. Once access is available, they can browse materials, check availability, calculate prices and place orders online.

Yes. Plastix Factory is designed to provide live price calculation based on selected material, product form, dimensions and quantity.

The platform offers engineering plastics in sheets, rods, tubes and cut-to-size formats, depending on material availability.

Yes. Customers can configure dimensions and quantities directly through the platform and proceed with the digital order process.

Technical data and relevant material documentation are accessible through the platform.

The platform supports a digital workflow from material selection and order placement to order status and shipment tracking.

Manual quotation can remain available for special or non-standard requirements, but it should be presented as a secondary option, not as the main process.

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