Polymer Properties
Reference data and engineering information about polymer properties for material properties applications.
Overview
Engineering reference data for Polymer Properties in material science and properties.
Key Formulas
Stress
Force per unit area.
Strain
Change in length per original length.
Hooke's Law
Stress proportional to strain in elastic region.
Thermal Expansion
Length change due to temperature.
Variables
| Symbol | Description | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Stress | Pa | |
| Strain | — | |
| Young's modulus | Pa | |
| Thermal expansion coefficient | 1/°C | |
| Temperature change | °C |
Thermoplastic Polymers
Thermoplastics can be softened by reheating and are generally less rigid but tougher than thermosets. Below is a comparative data table for common thermoplastic materials.
Polymer | Density(kg/m³) | Tensile Strength(MPa) | Elongation(%) | Young's Modulus(GPa) | Brinell Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic (PMMA) | 1190 | 74 | 6 | 3 | 34 |
| Cellulose Acetate | 1300 | 40 | 10 - 60 | 1.4 | 12 |
| Cellulose Nitrate | 1350 | 48 | 40 | 1.4 | 10 |
| Nylon (PA) | 1160 | 60 | 90 | 2.4 | 10 |
| Polyethylene (PE) | 950 | 20 - 30 | 20 - 100 | 0.7 | 2 |
| Polypropylene (PP) | 900 | 27 | 200 - 700 | 1.3 | 10 |
| Polystyrene (PS) | 1050 | 48 | 3 | 3.4 | 25 |
| PTFE (Teflon) | 2100 | 13 | 100 | 0.3 | — |
| PVC | 1330 | 48 | 200 | 3.4 | 20 |
Source: engineeringtoolbox.com
Thermoset Polymers
Thermosetting plastics undergo an irreversible chemical curing process during molding. They are generally harder and more brittle than thermoplastics.
Polymer | Density(kg/m³) | Tensile Strength(MPa) | Elongation(%) | Young's Modulus(GPa) | Brinell Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acetals, Glass Filled | 1600 | 58 - 75 | 2 - 7 | 7 | 27 |
| 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 | 1600 - 1900 | 38 - 50 | 0.5 | 17 - 35 | 36 |
| Urea Formaldehyde, Cellulose Filled | 1500 | 38 - 90 | 1 | 7 - 10 | 51 |
Source: engineeringtoolbox.com
Elastomers
Elastomers are polymers with significant viscoelasticity, meaning they can undergo large reversible deformations. They are a distinct category from rigid plastics.
Common elastomers include:
- Butyl rubber
- Chloroprene (Neoprene)
- Ethylene–propylene rubber (EPR)
- Fluorinated copolymers (FKM)
- Isoprene (Synthetic rubber)
- Natural rubber (Polyisoprene)
- Nitrile rubber (Buna N)
- Polysulfide rubber
- Polyurethane elastomers
- Silicone rubber
- Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR)