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Plastic CNC Materials

HDPE

✓ Food Safe ⬡ Chemical Resistant
80
°C
Max Service
Overview
High-density polyethylene — one of the most machinable plastics. Almost no tearout, excellent surface finish, machines like butter. Great for jigs, fixtures, and food-safe cutting boards.
Properties
Difficulty
beginner
Flexibility
semi-flex
Enclosure
no
Dry Storage
no
Pros
  • Extremely easy to machine — no tearout
  • Food safe
  • Chemical resistant
  • Waterproof
  • Good for jigs and fixtures
Cons
  • Melts rather than cuts if feed rate too low (heat builds up)
  • Difficult to glue
  • Flexes at edges — needs support for thin sections
Best For
  • Cutting boards and food-safe items\nJigs and fixtures\nWaterproof components\nChemical containers and caps
Avoid For
  • High-precision fine detail (slight flexibility)\nHigh-temp environments
Storage
No special requirements.
Brands
Generic HDPE sheetProfessional PlasticsMcMaster-Carr