Family-owned precision machine shop · Aurora, Illinois · Since 1986

Request a quote

Materials · Mechanical plastics

PBT machining

Custom PBT parts CNC machined to your drawing or sample: bushings, rollers, gears and insulators that hold their size in damp service. Machined in our Aurora, Illinois shop.

Quote a PBT part (630) 904-2525

PBT at a glance

Full name
Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT)
Also called
PBT polyester; Valox®, Celanex®
Known for
Low water uptake, low friction and good insulation
Common in
Electrical, food-processing and industrial equipment
Color
Natural (off-white) and black

Parts in PBT

PBT parts we machine

The parts we see most often in PBT, and why it suits each job. We machine any PBT part to your drawing or sample, listed here or not.

Need a different PBT part? Send the drawing, or the old part, and we’ll quote it. Request a quote

Is PBT right for the part?

Where PBT works, and where another plastic may suit

General guidance on how PBT behaves. If your drawing names PBT, Valox® or Celanex®, we machine to it.

Where it works

Water
Takes on very little water, so it holds its size.
Wear
Low friction and good wear on sliding parts.
Insulation
A good electrical insulator.
Finish
Machines cleanly to a smooth finish.

Where another plastic may suit

If the part needs Often used instead
Hot water or steam PBT breaks down with long exposure to hot water. These handle it.
Strong acids or caustics Strong acids and caustics attack PBT. These plastics resist them.
Higher heat For parts that run hotter than PBT handles.

Precision in PBT

How we machine PBT

±0.002"–±0.005" On critical dimensions, depending on the plastic

PBT is stable, so it machines to close size. Heat at the cut is what we control. We confirm the critical dimensions with your quote.

  1. Heat at the cut

    Heat from cutting can affect the finish and bore sizes.

    We keep tools sharp and the cut cool.

  2. Stress in thick stock

    Thick stock can carry stress that moves as it’s cut.

    We rough, rest and finish in stages.

  3. Threads and thin walls

    Fine threads and thin sections need care in a stiff plastic.

    We cut threads cleanly and support thin walls in the fixture.

Compare

PBT or a similar plastic

Machined PBT is mostly bought as plain natural or black stock. Here’s how it compares with the plastics it’s most often weighed against. If your drawing specifies one, we machine to it; if not, tell us how the part is used and we’ll suggest a plastic.

Plastic Typically chosen for
PBT Wear parts and electrical insulators.
PET Stiffer, harder precision parts. PET
Acetal The most common choice for general precision parts. Acetal
Nylon Tough wear parts where moisture isn’t a concern. Nylon

Buyer questions

PBT FAQs

Something else? Call (630) 904-2525.

All plastics we machine

Both are polyesters that take on little water and machine cleanly. PET is stiffer and harder, and PBT is a little tougher against impact. If your drawing specifies one, we machine to it.

Yes. Valox® and Celanex® are brand names for PBT. If your drawing specifies one, we machine the part in PBT. CDS isn’t affiliated with the trademark owners.

Yes. We supply PBT sheet and rod, cut to size when you need it, through our material supply service.

Getting a quote

Start with what you have

A drawing, a sketch or the worn or broken PBT part itself. Our experienced team takes it from there.

Request a quote (630) 904-2525
When a breakdown can’t wait, ask about our expedited service