Sheet in POM MD 3000x610 mm blue

In a food production line a broken piece of plastic is worse than a stopped machine. It has to be found, every time. POM MD is POM grades filled with detectable material, which makes a chip from a worn slide plate show up clearly in an industrial metal detector or X-ray sorter. It is used where hygiene requirements and traceability decide the material choice.

The density is around 1.5 g/cm³, higher than pure POM C because the filler adds weight. The long-term temperature is about 100 degrees continuously, the lowest working temperature around minus 20 degrees. The fire rating is HB. Water absorption stops at about 0.8 percent and the material keeps its POM-typical stiffness and dimensional stability. Mechanically it performs close to standard POM, but the surface hardness rises somewhat with the filler, which makes a POM MD sheet marginally more hard-wearing but also somewhat more brittle than POM C.

Chemically the behavior is POM-typical. It handles mineral oils, fuels, greases, many organic solvents and weak bases. Strong acids and oxidizing agents are to be avoided, and the material is not UV resistant over time. It is approved for food contact under the relevant FDA and EU legislation, which is the whole point of the MD grade.

The sheet is used to be milled or cut into functional surfaces and holders in food machinery. Concrete examples:

Slide plates in conveyor belts for baked goods, snacks and ready meals.

Guide strips and scrapers in packaging machines.

Guards and tables in checkweighers and X-ray sorters.

Gears and drives in mills and mixers.

Components in CIP-flushed installations.

Machining is done as for POM, but keep two things in mind. Tool wear is somewhat higher because of the filler, so ground carbide inserts in good condition are preferable. And the edges come out a little sharper; finish them off where there is manual handling.

The clear signal in the detector only works if there is enough material in the chip. Very thin parts give a weaker detection signal. Check the material thickness against the detector sensitivity in your line before you order in sheet at 1 millimeter. Thicknesses from about 10 millimeters and up are the most common.

POM MD is not a cosmetic material. It is a functional choice for a specific control chain in the factory. If you also need built-in lubrication you should look at POM LF or POM CGL instead. If you need the highest possible stiffness and hardness, POM H remains. If you need food approval without a detectable filler, POM C FG is enough.

Supplied in standard sizes and common thicknesses, cut to the measurement you want when you order. Do you need help choosing the right POM variant for your line and checking it against the detection requirement? Get in touch.

The long blue sheet 3000x610 mm is metal detectable, so broken-off pieces are picked up in the detector along the line.