Commodity Thermoplastic

HDPE

CNC Machined HDPE Parts — Tough, Chemical-Resistant Plastic Components
HDPE

At a glance

Processes

CNC Mill
CNC Lathe

Lead Time

As fast as 3 days

Colors

White, black

Tolerance

With drawing: as low as +/- 0.005 mm
No drawing: ISO 2768 medium

Price

$

Applications

plugs and seals, electrical insulator

About the Material

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a slippery plastic that is often machined into plugs and seals. It is also an excellent electrical insulator as well as being moisture and chemically-resistant.

Insulation

Extreme Toughness Icon

Resistance

Extreme Toughness Icon

Material Properties

Tensile Strength

4,000 PSI

Elongation at Break

500%

Hardness

Rockwell R65

Density

0.958 g/㎤
0.035 lbs / cu. in.

Maximum Temp

180° F

MISUMI Part Number

BULK-PS-PE

Material Finish

HDPE is a naturally opaque white because of its crystalline structure, but is also available dyed black in more limited stock sizes. It has a waxy finish leveraged for low-friction applications.

Design Recommendations

Min Wall Thickness

0.5 mm

Min End Mill Size

0.8 mm
(0.03 in)

Min Drill Size

0.5 mm
(0.02 in)

Max Part Size

1200 x 500 x 152 mm[(x,y,z] (mill)
152 x 394 mm [d,h] (lathe)

Undercuts

Square profile, full radius, dovetail profiles

Radii : Depth

Depth must not exceed 12x drill bit diameter.
For end mills, depth must not exceed 10x tool diameter.
Cost Saving Tip

Cost Saving Tip

To reduce costs, limit the number of part setups, the number of inspection dimensions or tight tolerances, and deep pockets with small radii.

You Might also be Interested in

DFS product lifecycle

Design for Sustainability (DFS): A Guide for Engineering More Eco-Friendly Products

We want the products we design to last—to perform reliably, win market adoption, and deliver long-term value. But it’s not…

Learn more >
Close-up of a CNC milling machine with multiple cutting tools and a metal workpiece surrounded by metal shavings.

6+ Axis CNC Machining: Capabilities, Design Rules, and When It’s Worth the Investment

For engineers designing complex machined parts, the advantages of moving from 3-axis to 5-axis machining are well understood. The most…

Learn more >