Evaluating the Flexural Properties of Polyoxymethylene Under Aggressive Environmental Conditions

Abstract This study evaluates the four-point flexural behavior of polyoxymethylene (POM) specimens exposed to different environmental conditions. Ten specimens were tested, for each of which five different mediums were studied: ambient environment, distilled water, cooling oil, UV-C radiation, and saline solution. The main objective was to find the influence of these environments on maximum bending stress and compare the values obtained for all four aggressive mediums to the value for the ambient environment. The results showed that exposure to the three liquid media-distilled water, cooling oil, and salt solution-leads to a reduction in bending stress, underscoring the potential weakening effects of these media. In contrast, samples exposed to UV-C showed an increase in bending stress, suggesting an increase in material stiffness under these conditions. This study provides guidelines for the optimal use of POM in various applications and provides clear information on its mechanical performance in various industrial and environmental environments.