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Polymers - Physical Properties

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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
PolymerDensity
- 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
PolymerDensity
- 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
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Related Topics

Material Properties

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.

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