Excellent sliding properties, toughness and fatigue properties
Polyacetal Resin

Overview and Features

What is TENAC™?

TENAC™/TENAC™-C is Asahi Kasei's family of polyacetal (POM) resins.

POM stands for polyoxymethylene, the chemical name, but these materials are typically known as polyacetal resins. POM resins are engineering plastics featuring excellent sliding properties (friction and wear characteristics), toughness, and fatigue behavior. POM resins are crystalline thermoplastic resins.

POM resins come in two varieties: homopolymers（(−CH₂O−)_n）consisting solely of chains of formaldehyde monomers, and copolymers（(−CH₂O−/−CH₂CH₂O−)_n）containing oxyethylene units formed from trioxane.

In the polyacetal business field, Asahi Kasei is the world's only manufacturer* of both homopolymers (TENAC™) and copolymers (TENAC™ -C) with our own proprietary technology.

*Source: Fuji Keizai “2023 Engineering Plastics Market Outlook and Global Strategy”

Key Features of TENAC™

TENAC™/TENAC™-C are Asahi Kasei's polyacetal (POM) resins. These resins are classified as engineering plastics featuring excellent heat resistance and mechanical strength.

TENAC™/TENAC™-C polyacetal (POM) resins are crystalline thermoplastics.
These resins come in two varieties—homopolymer (TENAC™) and copolymer (TENAC™-C)—and feature the following properties.

Homopolymers (TENAC™) and copolymers (TENAC™ -C)

Sliding properties

TENAC™/TENAC™-C polyacetal (POM) resins have good sliding properties due to their self-lubricating nature, and also feature excellent wear and friction resistance.
For these reasons, TENAC™/TENAC™-C resins are ideal materials for moving parts.

Comparison of friction coefficient and wear amount of each engineering plastic (non-reinforced)

Fatigue behavior

TENAC™/TENAC™-C polyacetal (POM) resins offer the greatest room-temperature durability of all non-reinforced engineering plastics.
This property derives from the high molecular density of POM resins, in which molecules are closely packed together to yield high structural strength.

For these reasons, TENAC™/TENAC™-C resins are ideal materials for components subjected to long-term loading or repeated loading.

Durability comparison of each engineering plastic (non-reinforced) at room temperature

Creep resistance

TENAC™/TENAC™-C polyacetal (POM) resins feature excellent creep resistance.
Creep is a phenomenon in which a plastic component, continuously subjected to a constant load, deforms progressively with the passage of time.

TENAC™ exhibits minimal deformation under loading, thus avoiding various problems caused by material creep.

Comparison of creep resistance of each engineering plastic (non-reinforced)

Resistance to oil and organic solvents

TENAC™/TENAC™-C polyacetal (POM) resins feature excellent resistance to oils and organic solvents.

POM樹脂テナック™とテナック™-Cの耐油性・耐有機溶剤性 — oil resistance and organic solvent resistance of POM resin TENAC™ / TENAC™ -C

Reasons for choosing TENAC ™

Asahi Kasei manufactures an extensive lineup of material grades for both homopolymer and copolymer resins

We are the world's only manufacturer producing both homopolymer (TENAC™) and copolymer (TENAC™-C) POM resins using our own proprietary technology.
We offer an extensive lineup of material grades to meet the needs of our customers.

*Source: Fuji Keizai “2023 Engineering Plastics Market Outlook and Global Strategy”

POM樹脂テナック™・テナック™-Cにおける原料から樹脂までの製造フロー — Manufacturing flow of POM resin TENAC™ / TENAC™ -C from raw materials to resin

Technical support

With offices in many countries around the world, Asahi Kasei supports our customers on a global basis.
Moreover, our “resin CAE technology” service—Asahi Kasei's in-house design-simulation expertise—is available to support customers in the product design and development stages.

→ Click here for details on Asahi Kasei's technical support

Application cases

Automotive: The advantages of TENAC™/TENAC™-C resins include durability, creep resistance, and ability to withstand contact with gasoline. These features make these material well-suited for use in forming various types of automobile components, including: fuel-pump modules that supply engines with fuel purified by filters installed inside vehicle fuel tanks; motor gears for doors, windshield wipers, and seats; and window regulators responsible for raising and lowering windows. Moreover, treatments to minimize emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) make these resins compliant with regulations governing vehicle interior environments, and they have been chosen as materials for a variety of interior components, including press buttons and through anchors for seatbelts. We also offer paint-free metallic grades satisfying the weather-resistance and chemical-resistance requirements demanded for inside door handles and other interior parts.
Medical: TENAC™/TENAC™-C resins offer excellent durability, dimensional stability, and sliding properties under high loading. These properties have caused these materials to be chosen for medical equipment such as the liquid-sending components of transfusion pump guides and lancets used to collect small-volume blood samples for blood-sugar analysis.
Powder injection molding: Asahi Kasei offers ultra-high-flow grades developed for use as binder resins in powder-injection molding of high-precision miniature metal or ceramic components.
Applications spanning a wide range of uses and objectives: The TENAC™/TENAC™-C resins offer excellent sliding and other properties, and their applications span a wide variety of uses and objectives—including, to cite just a few examples: home-improvement hardware such as door wheels allowing smooth opening and closing of sliding doors; gears responsible for transferring rotational torque in printers; and multi-purpose structural components and other office appliances. We also offer in-house expertise in resin CAE simulation technology to help design resin replacements for metallic components.

Application Proposal

Grade Introduction

Asahi Kasei is proud to offer an extensive lineup of both homopolymer (TENAC™) and copolymer (TENAC™-C) grades with varying viscosities.

More specifically, for both homopolymer and copolymer resins we offer the following grade categories: standard grades, low-VOC grades, high-cycle grades, weather-resistant grades, filler-reinforced grades, and sliding grades. For homopolymer resins we additionally offer high-durability grades and soft grades. For copolymer grades we additionally offer HC grades—which combine the mechanical strength of homopolymers with the chemical resistance of copolymers—as well as electrically-conducting grades and various other highly functional grades.

Click the entries in the table below for detailed information on each material grade—or click the buttons to see the features of each product series.

Asahi Kasei's offerings in the TENAC™ family also include metallic-colored grades and grades designed for use as binder resins in powder injection molding. Please contact us to learn more about these options.

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Product Data/Tips for Use *Handling Precautions

Precautions for handling TENAC™

The content of this document is based on currently available materials, information and data, and may be revised based on new findings. Please note that these are provided as information and are not guaranteed. Therefore, when using our products, please give full consideration to the usage environment, design, etc., and use them at your own risk after judging that there is no problem with the product.

1. Handling Precautions

Please read the separate "Material Safety Data Sheet" for handling precautions for TENAC™ before using TENAC™. The following points are the main points for handling TENAC™. Please use it for safe handling of TENAC™. Please investigate the safety and compatibility with TENAC™ ™ of pigments, additives, etc. that you use other than those specified by Asahi Kasei TENAC™.

(1) Safety and health precautions
The main component of the gas generated when TENAC™ is dried, melted, and decomposed is formaldehyde. Take care to avoid contact with eyes, skin, and inhalation. Also, avoid touching the high temperature resin directly. For each work such as drying and melting, it is necessary to install a local exhaust system and wear protective equipment (safety glasses, protective gloves, etc.).

(2) Precautions regarding combustion
TENAC™ is flammable and should be handled and stored away from heat and sources of ignition. If it burns, it may generate toxic gas. Water, foam, and dry powder can be used to extinguish the fire.

(3) Precautions for disposal
TENAC™ can be disposed of by landfill or incineration, but please entrust it to an authorized industrial waste disposal company or local government in accordance with the "Waste Disposal and Public Cleansing Act." In addition, when incinerating it yourself, please use incineration equipment and process in accordance with various laws and regulations such as the Air Pollution Control Act. When incinerated, toxic gas may be generated.

(4) Notes on storage
It is a combustible material (synthetic resins) designated by the Fire Service Act, and should be handled in accordance with municipal ordinances. (fire extinguishing equipment, indoor storage facilities, etc.)

(5) Notes on molding
Please pay attention to the following points to avoid decomposition of the resin.・Do not allow the resin to remain in the processing machine for a long time at high temperatures.・Do not mix extrusion with strong acids, oxidizing agents, or PVC. Pellets, etc. spilled on the floor may slip under your feet and cause a fall if left unattended, so please clean and remove them immediately.

2. Usage

・Do not use TENAC™ for implantation into the body or for direct contact with body fluids or infusions. When using this product for other medical purposes, please be sure to contact our representative in advance.
・When using TENAC™ in applications where it comes into direct contact with food, please select a grade that complies with the Polyhyeikyo PL (Positive List), Food Sanitation Law, and FDA. In that case, please be sure to contact our representative in advance.
・When using TENAC™, be sure to evaluate the physical properties, durability etc. of the actual product in advance.

3. Others

Please be aware of industrial property rights, etc. when using this product.

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Excellent sliding properties, toughness and fatigue properties
Polyacetal Resin

What is TENAC™?