delrin washers for knives

[misterjuiceman]

I'm wondering why I never hear of anyone using delrin washers for knives. It seems like it'd have suitable properties.

 

[Josh K]

My understanding is that they are smoother then PB washers in the short run, but wear out faster.

 

[knarfeng]

Delrin does have suitable properties for washers.
For a washer, one is interested in the mechanical properties of the polymer.
The mechanical strengths of Delrin are similar to that of many Nylon polymers.
But Nylon is less expensive.

You could make washers out of Delrin, but they would cost more and would not be significantly better than Nylon.

Delrin has other properties that Nylon does not have that make it worth the extra cost for other applications.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

If you're referring to the same 'Delrin' that's found on knife scales, I don't think they'd hold up too well. It's too soft. Delrin will scratch/scuff/abrade too easily. For knife scales, that's not a big deal (it's just cosmetic). Get just a little bit of grit in the pivot though, and it'll chew 'em up. There are other materials (nylon, teflon and others) that have better abrasion resistance and are more durable.

 

[knarfeng]

http://www.machinist-materials.com/comparison_table_for_plastics.htm

The mechanical properties are similar.

 

[misterjuiceman]

I know that delrin swells up when in contact with certain oils, so it isn't meant to be lubricated in some applications, so maybe that's a reason (I forgot about that when I made my post). nylon is probably more resistant to chemicals

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

The other thing is, there are a lot of variations of 'Delrin' out there, depending on the application and/or vintage. The 'Delrin' trade name has been in use for 50 years or more. So, depending on the 'flavor' and vintage, there might be something out there that'd do.

 

[mete]

Nylatron which is nylon impregnated with molybdenum disulfide is used more than just nylon AFAIK.