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Type of plastic for pistol frame

geeguy
Anyone know what exact type of plastic the Springfield or Glock uses in their frames?

Reason: I wish to modify some guns and need to know for type of adhesives to use and/or type of plastic weld process.

Tuff question I would expect, but never hurts to ask.
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  • xxx97
    quote:Originally posted by geeguy
    Anyone know what exact type of plastic the Springfield or Glock uses in their frames?

    Reason: I wish to modify some guns and need to know for type of adhesives to use and/or type of plastic weld process.

    Tuff question I would expect, but never hurts to ask.
    nylon 6...
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  • beantownshootah
    Allegedly, Glock frames are made of a proprietary (and secret) polymer mixture that is based on Nylon-6.

    The mix uses embedded carbon-black to help prevent degradation due to UV light.

    The Glock plastic is resistant to ordinary temperature extremes, but will degrade if exposed to temperatures above 120 C (ie well above boiling).

    I can't speak to the Springfield XD or other common polymer pistols, but I'd imagine its a different proprietary plastic mix somewhere along the same lines as the Glock.


    Edit: I'm pretty sure that Glocks aren't made of Delrin.

    Here's the reference for the above:
    http://www.glockfaq.com/content.aspx?ckey=Glock_FAQ_General_Glock_Info#polymer

    For what its worth, its possible/probable that the formula Glock pistols are made from has changed over the 30 or so years the pistols have been on the market, so EXACTLY what they are made of may depend on when and where they were made.

    Also, for what its worth many of the other manufacturers (including Smith and Wesson, Kel-Tec, and Ruger) are using Zytel (DuPont proprietary glass-filled nylon) for their polymer frames.

    Its likely that Glock frame composition is similar.

    EG, for all its hype about Glock "Tenifer" finish, the Smith "Melonite", the Sig "Nitron" and the Tanfoglio "Wonder" finishes are all variants of the same nitriding process.
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  • v35
    I believe Delrin filled with fiberglas or graphite filaments.
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  • geeguy
    Looks and feels like Delrin (has the "splay" marks), but most make their lowers out of Nylon 6 with a glass fill. If I could burn a little part I would know since Delrin gives off formaldehyde. I just don't have a piece (and friends don't seem to want me to put a lighter to their guns, guess they're not good enough friends).

    Thanks for the input.
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  • Bamavol
    I know that straight nylon is not dimensionally stable. It will soak up water and swell. I bet the key is in the filler material. However as you add filler the material is more difficult to injection mold.
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  • geeguy
    I am a plastic molder and you are correct that Nylon will absorb, but the glass does not stop that, and we mold up to 60% glass for certain automotive work (clays additives do help). Nylon 6.0 does not absorb anywhere near 6.6, 6.10, or 6.12. And many guns are made with 6.0 Nylon (including one we make).

    I can do a burn test or chemical test on the Glock to determine the material type and additives, but that is destructive testing, and since this is a personal project for a few friends it would not be worth the money. Adhesives and sonic welds act different on Nylon and Delrin, so I was just trying to get a quick answer. Anyone got a broken piece?

    Thanks for all the input.
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