Polymer family and type density

(g/cm³) degree of

crystallinity glass

transition

temperature

(° C) crystal

melting

temperature

(° C) deflection

temperature

at 1.8 MPa

(° C) tensile

strength

(MPa) elongation

at break

(%) flexural

modulus

(GPa) typical products and

applications

Thermoplastics

Carbon-chain

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) (industrial polymers, major) 0.95-0.97 high -120 137 -- 20-30 10-1,000 1-1.5 milk bottles, wire and

cable insulation, toys

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) (industrial polymers, major) 0.92-0.93 moderate -120 110 -- 8-30 100-650 0.25-0.35 packaging film, grocery

bags, agricultural

mulch

Polypropylene (PP) (industrial polymers, major) 0.90-0.91 high -20 176 -- 30-40 100-600 1.2-1.7 bottles, food containers,

toys

Polystyrene (PS) (industrial polymers, major) 1.0-1.1 nil 100 -- -- 35-50 1-2 2.6-3.4 eating utensils, foamed

food containers

Acrylonitrile-butadiene- (industrial polymers, major)

helmets, pipe

fittings

Polyvinyl chloride, (industrial polymers, major)

siding, window

frames

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) (industrial polymers, major) 1.2 nil 115 -- -- 50-75 2-10 2.2-3.2 impact-resistant windows,

skylights, canopies

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (industrial polymers, major) 2.1-2.2 moderate-

high 126 327 -- 20-35 200-400 0.5 self-lubricated bearings,

nonstick cookware

Heterochain

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) (industrial polymers, major) 1.3-1.4 moderate 69 265 -- 50-75 50-300 2.4-3.1 transparent bottles,

recording tape

Polycarbonate (PC) (industrial polymers, major) 1.2 low 145 230 -- 65-75 110-120 2.3-2.4 compact discs, safety

glasses, sporting goods

Polyacetal (industrial polymers, major) 1.4 moderate -50 180 -- 70 25-75 2.6-3.4 bearings, gears, shower

heads, zippers

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) (industrial polymers, major) 1.3 nil 185 -- -- 70-105 30-150 3.9 machine, automotive,

and aerospace parts

Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) (industrial polymers, major) 1.35 moderate 88 288 -- 50-90 1-10 3.8-4.5 machine parts, appliances,

electrical equipment

Cellulose diacetate (industrial polymers, major) 1.3 low 120 230 -- 15-65 6-70 1.5 photographic film

Polycaprolactam (nylon 6) (industrial polymers, major) 1.1-1.2 moderate 50 210-220 -- 40-170 30-300 1.0-2.8 bearings, pulleys, gears

Thermosets*

Heterochain

Polyester (unsaturated) (industrial polymers, major) 1.3-2.3 nil -- -- 200 20-70 \\<3 7-14 boat hulls, automobile

panels

Epoxies (industrial polymers, major) 1.1-1.4 nil -- -- 110-250 35-140 \\<4 14-30 laminated circuit boards,

flooring, aircraft parts

Phenol formaldehyde (industrial polymers, major) 1.7-2.0 nil -- -- 175-300 50-125 \\<1 8-23 electrical connectors,

appliance handles

Urea and melamine formaldehyde (industrial polymers, major) 1.5-2.0 nil -- -- 190-200 35-75 \\<1 7.5 countertops, dinnerware

Polyurethane (industrial polymers, major) 1.05 low -- -- 90-100 70 3-6 4 flexible and rigid foams

for upholstery,

insulation

*All values shown are for glass-fibre-reinforced samples (except for polyurethane).