Properties of Plastic: Physical Properties*
| Product Properties | LDPE | HDPE | PP | PS | ACR-YLIC | PTFE | PMP | PVC | PC | PFA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Temp.°C | 80 | 120 | 135 | 70 | 90 | 300 | 180 | 70 | 130 | 270 |
| Min Temp.°C | -50 | -100 | 0 | -40 | -60 | -200 | -180 | -25 | -135 | -260 |
| Autoclavable | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Gas Sterilization | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dry Heat Sterilization | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Gamma Irradiation Sterilization | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Chemical Disinfectant Sterilization | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency | TL | TL | TL | C | C | O | C | C | C | TL |
| Flexibility | EX | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | F |
| Gas Permeability N2 | 20 | 3 | 4.4 | 3 | - | - | 65 | 0.4 | 3 | - |
| Gas Permeability CO2 | 280 | 45 | 92 | 75 | - | - | - | 10.2 | 85 | - |
| Gas Permeablility 02 | 60 | 10 | 28 | 15 | - | - | 270 | 1.2 | 20 | - |
| Water Absorption % | <0.01 | <0.01 | <0.02 | <0.05 | 0.3 | 0.3 | <0.01 | 0.06 | 0.35 | <0.03 |
| Specific Gravity | 0.92 | 0.95 | 0.90 | 1.05 | 1.18 | 2.2 | 0.83 | 1.34 | 1.20 | 2.16 |
Transparency
| C | Clear |
| TL | Translucent |
| O | Opaque |
| EX | Excellent |
| R | Rigid |
Definitions
Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
LPDE is a most useful and widely used
plastic. It is translucent to opaque, robust enough to be virtually unbreakable
and at the same time quite flexible.
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
A linear polymer prepared from ethylene by a catalytic process. It lends itself
particularly well to blow molding, e.g. for bottles and containers.
Polypropylene (PP)
PP is a translucent material with excellent mechanical properties and it has
gradually replaced the polyethylenes for many purposes.
Polymethylpentene (PMP)
The important qualities of PMP as a laboratory plastic are its high transparency, its rigidity
and resistance to impact and withstand temperatures of up to 200°C for short periods (180°C continuously).
Polyvinylchloride (PVC)
PVC has a linear structure similar to polyethylene but with a chlorine atom
replacing a hydrogen atom on alternate carbon atoms.
Polystyrene (PS)
A hard rigid, transparent plastic with good dimensional stability.
Polymethylmethacrylate (ACRYLIC)
A rigid plastic with a high degree of transparency. It is resistant to inorganic, acids and alkalis but is attacked by wide range
of organic solvents.
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
PFTE shows a remarkable chemical resistance and it is insoluble in all known solvents.
Polycarbonate (PC)
PC is a linear polycarbonic acid ester prepared from a dihydric phenol.
Perfluoroalkoxy PTFE (PFA)
PFA is a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene (CF2=CF2) with a perfluoralkyl vinyl ether [F(CF2)m CF20CF=CF2].
This chart was supplied to Daigger by outside sources.
*Warning:These charts are general guidelines only. Customers should consult a reputable source prior to using a specific chemical with a specific plastic part. Ratings of chemical behavior listed in this chart apply at a 48 hr exposure period; Daigger has no knowledge of possible effects beyond this period. Use suitable guards and/or personal protections when handling chemicals.
Sign Up! 