Materials · Mechanical plastics
PET machining
Custom PET parts CNC machined to your drawing or sample: pistons, wear rings, bushings and precision parts that have to hold their size. Machined in our Aurora, Illinois shop.
PET at a glance
- Full name
- Polyethylene terephthalate (PET-P, semi-crystalline)
- Also called
- PET-P, polyester, Ertalyte®
- Known for
- Holding size, with good wear resistance
- Common in
- Food and packaging machinery, pumps and valves, and precision equipment
- Forms
- Rod, sheet and tube; natural (white) or black
Parts in PET
PET parts we machine
The parts we see most often in PET, and why it suits each job. We machine any PET part to your drawing or sample, listed here or not.
- Pistons photo
Pistons
Pistons that keep their groove and seal-land sizes in wet service.
- Wear rings photo
Wear rings
Wear rings that wear slowly and protect the bore.
- Bushings photo
Bushings
Bushings with close bore fits for humid and washdown areas.
- Plungers photo
Plungers
Plungers with a smooth, hard surface that runs against seals.
- Timing gears photo
Timing gears
Gears that stay in clean mesh in humid service.
- Precision fits and valve parts photo
Precision fits and valve parts
Valve parts, guides and other parts with tight mating fits.
Need a different PET part? Send the drawing, or the old part, and we’ll quote it. Request a quote
Is PET right for the part?
Where PET works, and where another plastic may suit
General guidance on how PET behaves. If your drawing specifies a PET grade or brand, we machine to it.
Where it works
- Size
- Takes on almost no water and expands little, so fits stay put.
- Wear
- Wears well, with low friction on sliding faces.
- Stiffness
- Hard and stiff, so it holds up under load.
- Chemicals
- Resists many acids, oils and cleaning agents.
- Food
- Food-contact grades are available.
Where another plastic may suit
| If the part needs | Often used instead |
|---|---|
| Hot water and steam PET breaks down over time in hot water and steam. These hold up. | |
| Impact Hard PET can crack from a sharp knock. These are tougher. | |
| Strong alkalis Strong alkalis attack PET. These resist them. | |
| See-through parts PET-P stock is opaque. These come clear. |
Grades
PET grades
Most PET for machined parts is PET-P, in natural or black, with lubricated grades for sliding parts. Name the grade on your drawing, or tell us how the part is used and we’ll suggest one.
| Grade | Typically used for |
|---|---|
| Natural PET-P | General precision parts, and food-contact parts. |
| Black PET-P | The same properties, in black. |
| Lubricated PET | Solid-lubricant grades, such as Ertalyte® TX, for lower friction and better wear on sliding parts. |
| PETG | A different, clear copolyester for guards and covers. We machine it too. |
Buyer questions
PET FAQs
Something else? Call (630) 904-2525.
All plastics we machineErtalyte® is a well-known brand of PET-P, and many buyers use the name for any machined PET. If your drawing specifies Ertalyte, we machine the part in Ertalyte. If it says PET or PET-P, we machine it in a suitable PET-P grade. Ertalyte® is a registered trademark; CDS is not affiliated with its owner.
Both are stiff, stable and machine cleanly to size. PET takes on even less water and wears well, so it suits precision parts in wet or humid service. Acetal is tougher against impact and usually costs less. We machine both, and if your drawing specifies one, we machine to it.
Both are polyesters that machine cleanly. PET is stiffer and harder, so it’s the usual choice for precision parts. PBT is a little tougher against impact. If your drawing specifies one, we machine to it.
Yes. We supply PET sheet and rod, cut to size when you need it, through our material supply service.