At a glance
- Agricultural machinery needs engineering plastics that resist temperature, wear, chemicals, and UV exposure.
- PEEK, Polycarbonate, Nylon, and UHMW-PE offer durability and impact resistance for farm equipment.
- Chemical-resistant plastics like PE and PTFE protect machinery from fertilizers, oils, and pesticides.
- National Engineering Plastics (NEP) provides high-quality plastics for long-lasting agricultural performance.
Agricultural machinery operates in the most harsh conditions, with constant exposure to weather, mechanical stress, and heavy loads. Therefore, it demands materials like engineering plastics that are durable and resistant to field conditions.
With increasing applications, from a plough to a harvester to an irrigation system, you want the right engineering plastic for your agricultural equipment that can make a real difference in terms of efficiency and longevity.
Today, we will discuss the factors in choosing engineering plastics for farm machinery, focusing on their properties, impact on performance and durability, and cost-effectiveness.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Engineering Plastic for Your Agricultural Equipment
Temperature resistance
Agricultural machinery has to encounter high and extreme temperatures, whether in freezing winters or during a very hot summer. Selection of the plastics that support variation in temperature extremes is very important. For example, PEEK, which resists extremely high temperatures, ensures that it remains high in strength and integrity.
Wear and Abrasion Resistance
Heavy machinery operating in farming processes always experiences wear and tear, especially in high-friction areas involving gears and bearings. Thus, it requires durable material that can withstand constant wear and impact. Cast Nylon and UHMWPE can be perfect for such sites due to their excellent abrasiveness resistance.
Chemical Resistance
Agricultural machinery often has to resist a wide variety of chemical types, from fertilisers and pesticides to fuel and oils. Materials such as PE and PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) are excellent at resisting this type of chemical, which is why they represent the best options for producing parts that may be exposed to chemicals.
Resistance to Impact
Agricultural machinery is subjected to continuous shock and mechanical tensions in the fields. Materials such as Polycarbonate, which are rated high on impact resistance, are suitable for use in components designed to bear shocks without cracking or breaking.
UV Resistance
Many materials lose strength and embrittlement under UV. For such applications, you can opt for UV-resistant plastics, such as Polycarbonate, which prevent this breakdown and help equipment retain its strength and performance in the sun longer. Avoid Polypropylene (PP), which tends to degrade rapidly in sunlight.
Popular Engineering Plastics for Agricultural Equipment
Engineering Plastics are used for agricultural equipment, such as machinery components like gears, bearings, and bushings, conveyor systems, irrigation systems, hoses and tubing, and covers and shields.
The right choice of engineering plastic, however, involves knowing what material provides the best performance for the particular needs at hand.
Let's explore the most commonly used plastics in agricultural equipment below:
Polyethylene (PE)
Polyethylene (PE) is a versatile polymer widely used in low-friction components such as bushings, rollers, and bearings. Chemically resistant, strong, and fairly inexpensive, it is often used in agricultural machinery. PE is ideally used for irrigation systems, storage tanks, and piping.
Polycarbonate (PC)
Polycarbonate (PC) is valued for its high impact resistance and transparency. Hence, this material is highly utilised in parts subjected to high impact and UV radiation. Agricultural equipment, such as tractors and harvesters, benefits from PC panels that protect operators from flying debris while providing visibility.
Cast Nylon (PA)
With excellent abrasion resistance and toughness, Cast Nylon is an excellent choice for parts such as gears, bearings, and highly stressed components. The material is extremely light and has very low friction, so it minimises the wear and tear of moving pieces. At National Engineering Plastics, we offer an Oil-Filled Cast Nylon Rod that provides 50% less friction.
Polyoxymethylene (POM)
POM, otherwise generally known as Acetal, is prized for its low friction, stiffness, and dimensional stability. POM's resistance to warping and high wear tolerance makes it suitable for mechanical systems like automatic seed dispensers and spraying systems.
Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMW)
If you're looking for an incredibly tough polymer with high impact strength and abrasion resistance, UHMWPE plastics can be a good option. It is perfect in applications with constant friction like hopper liners, chutes, and conveyor systems. Further, UHMWPE's resistance to chemicals and moisture also makes it suitable for fertilizer and pesticide application systems.
HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)
HDPE is a strong and durable plastic for agricultural applications that require weather, moisture, and impact resistance. You can use it for equipment like water storage tanks, irrigation pipes, and protective barriers because it can resist prolonged exposure to harsh outdoor conditions.
PEEK (Polyetheretherketone)
PEEK is a high-performance polymer known for its outstanding thermal, chemical, and mechanical properties. In agriculture, it is used in extreme environments where high temperatures, chemical exposure, and mechanical stress are present, such as in high-precision pump components, nozzles, and seals.
If you fully understand the critical factors involved in temperature resistance, frictional wear, and chemical attack, together with expert advice, your machinery operates at its best.
At National Engineering Plastics Pty Ltd (NEP), we believe that high-quality engineering plastics help our customers operate smoother, faster, and smarter. We offer a full range of plastics designed for agricultural equipment, which are durable, efficient, and long-lasting performance.
Explore our products and contact us today to place your order!
