Polymers - Physical Properties

Densities, tensile strength, elongation, Youngs modulus and Brinell hardness.

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.

Polymers - Physical Properties
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.

Polymers - Physical Properties
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 = 1.4504×10^-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