Polymers - Physical Properties
Physical properties of some common plastic materials are indicated below.
Thermoplastics
Thermoplastics can be softened as often as they are reheated and are not so rigid as thermosetting plastics but tend to be rougher.
| Polymer | Density - ρ - (kg/m3) | Tensile Strength - σ - (MPa) | Elongation (%) | Young's Modulus - E - (GPa) | Brinell Hardness Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABS | |||||
| Acrylic (metacrylate) | 1190 | 74 | 6 | 3.0 | 34 |
| Cellulose Acetate | 1300 | 40 | 10 - 60 | 1.4 | 12 |
| Cellulose Nitrate | 1350 | 48 | 40 | 1.4 | 10 |
| Nylon | 1160 | 60 | 90 | 2.4 | 10 |
| Polyethylene | 950 | 20 - 30 | 20 - 100 | 0.7 | 2 |
| Polycarbonate | |||||
| Polyethermide | |||||
| Polyethylene | |||||
| Polyimide | |||||
| Polypropylene | 900 | 27 | 200 - 700 | 1.3 | 10 |
| Polystyrene | 1050 | 48 | 3 | 3.4 | 25 |
| PTFE (fluoropolymer) | 2100 | 13 | 100 | 0.3 | |
| PVC | 1330 | 48 | 200 | 3.4 | 20 |
Termosets (Thermosetting Plastics)
Thermosetting plastics undergo a chemical change during moulding an can never again be softened by reheating. The chemical change in the moulding process is triggered by temperature and pressure and is called curing.
Thermosetting plastics are harder and more brittle than thermoplastic materials.
| Polymer | Density - ρ - (kg/m3) | Tensile Strength - σ - (MPa) | Elongation (%) | Young's Modulus - E - (GPa) | Brinell Hardness Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acetals, glass filled | 1600 | 58 - 75 | 2 - 7 | 7 | 27 |
| Allyl | |||||
| Epoxy resin, glass filled | 1600 - 2000 | 68 - 200 | 4 | 20 | 38 |
| Melamine formaldehyde, fabric filled | 1800 - 2000 | 60 - 90 | 7 | 38 | |
| Phenol formaldehyde, mica filled (phenolic) | 1600 - 1900 | 38 - 50 | 0.5 | 17 - 35 | 36 |
| Polyurethane | |||||
| Silicone | |||||
| Urea formaldehyde, cellulose filled | 1500 | 38 - 90 | 1 | 7 - 10 | 51 |
- 1 MPa = 0.1 GPa = 1 N/mm2
- 1 N/m2 = 1 Pa = 10-6 N/mm2 = 1.4504x10-4 psi
Elastomers
Elastomers are substances such as natural rubber and polymers which have material properties which resemble rubber.
- Butyl
- Chloroprene, neoprene
- Ethylene–propylene
- Fluorinated copolymers
- Isoprene
- Natural rubber
- Nitrile, Buna N
- Polysulfide
- Polyurethane
- PVC
- Silicone copolymers
Related Topics
• Material Properties
Material properties of gases, fluids and solids - densities, specific heats, viscosities and more.
Related Documents
Malleability vs. Brittlenes vs. Ductility
Plastic deformation properties.
Modulus of Rigidity
Shear Modulus (Modulus of Rigidity) is the elasticity coefficient for shearing or torsion force.
Plastics - Abbreviations
Commonly used plastic abbreviations.
Plastics - Recycling Codes and Labeling
Symbol codes and labeling used for recycling plastic products like bottles, containers and packagin.
Plastics - Thermal Conductivity Coefficients
Thermal conductivity of plastics.
Polymers - Specific Heats
Specific heat of polymers like epoxy, PET, polycarbonate and more.