Properties and applications of commercially important plastics
*All values shown are for glass-fibre-reinforced samples (except for
polyurethane).
densit crysta
degree of glass deflection
y l
polymer (g/ transit meltin temperatu
crystallinity
family and cm3) ion g re
type
tempe tempe
at 1.8 MPa
rature rature
(°C) (°C) (°C)
Thermoplastics
Carbon-chain
0.95–
high-density polyethylene (HDPE)
high –120 137 —
0.97
0.92–
low-density polyethylene (LDPE)moderate −120 110 —
0.93
polypropylene (PP) 0.90– high −20 176 —
0.91
polystyrene (PS) 1.0–1.1 nil 100 — —
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
1.0–1.1 (ABS)
nil 90–120 — —
polyvinyl chloride, unplasticized
1.3–1.6 nil (PVC) 85 — —
polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)
1.2 nil 115 — —
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) moderate-high
2.1–2.2 126 327 —
Heterochain
polyethylene terephthalate
1.3–1.4(PET)moderate 69 265 —
polycarbonate (PC) 1.2 low 145 230 —
polyacetal 1.4 moderate –50 180 —
polyetheretherketone (PEEK)1.3 nil 185 — —
polyphenylene sulfide (PPS)1.35 moderate 88 288 —
cellulose diacetate 1.3 low 120 230 —
polycaprolactam (nylon 6)
1.1–1.2 moderate 50 210–220 —
Thermosets*
Heterochain
polyester (unsaturated)
1.3–2.3 nil — — 200
epoxies 1.1–1.4 nil — — 110–250
phenol formaldehyde1.7–2.0 nil — — 175–300
urea and melamine formaldehyde
1.5–2.0 nil — — 190–200
polyurethane 1.05 low — — 90–100
tensil flexur
elongation
e al
polymer
typical products
family and streng modul and applications
type at break
th us
(MPa) (%) (GPa)
Thermoplastics
Carbon-chain
milk bottles, wire and
high-density polyethylene
20–30(HDPE)
10–1,000 1–1.5
cable insulation, toys
0.25– packaging film, grocery
low-density polyethylene
8–30(LDPE)100–650
0.35 bags, agricultural mulch
bottles, food containers,
polypropylene (PP) 30–40 100–600 1.2–1.7
toys
eating utensils, foamed
polystyrene (PS) 35–50 1–2 2.6–3.4
food containers
appliance housings,
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
15–55 (ABS)
30–100 0.9–3.0
helmets, pipe fittings
pipe, conduit, home
polyvinyl chloride, unplasticized
40–50 (PVC)
2–80 2.1–3.4
siding, window frames
impact-resistant
polymethyl methacrylate
50–75(PMMA)
2–10 2.2–3.2 windows, skylights,
canopies
self-lubricated bearings,
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) 200–400
20–35 0.5
nonstick cookware
Heterochain
transparent bottles,
polyethylene terephthalate
50–75(PET)50–300 2.4–3.1
recording tape
compact discs, safety
polycarbonate (PC) 65–75 110–120 2.3–2.4
glasses, sporting goods
bearings, gears, shower
polyacetal 70 25–75 2.6–3.4
heads, zippers
machine, automotive,
polyetheretherketone70–105
(PEEK) 30–150 3.9
and aerospace parts
machine parts,
polyphenylene sulfide50–90
(PPS) 1–10 3.8–4.5 appliances, electrical
equipment
cellulose diacetate 15–65 6–70 1.5 photographic film
polycaprolactam (nylon 6)
40–170 30–300 1.0–2.8 bearings, pulleys, gears
Thermosets*
Heterochain
boat hulls, automobile
polyester (unsaturated)
20–70 <3 7–14
panels
laminated circuit boards,
epoxies 35–140 <4 14–30
flooring, aircraft parts
electrical connectors,
phenol formaldehyde50–125 <1 8–23
appliance handles
urea and melamine formaldehyde
35–75 <1 7.5 countertops, dinnerware
flexible and rigid foams
polyurethane 70 3–6 4 for upholstery,
insulation
