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Our Guide to High Performance Materials. . . .

How to use this chart

This guide represents thermoplastics which have a heat deflection temperature under load (264 psi) of 300º F and higher in the un-reinforced state. Unless otherwise noted, properties indicate performance on standard ASTM tests at room temperature (73º F). A range of properties generally indicates the difference between the resin and the most highly reinforced grade, which is 30% glass or carbon fiber in most cases. All data is based on information from material manufacturer.

Material Trade Name Supplier Specific Gravity Structurea Tensile Strength 1,000 psi Tensile Elongation % at break Flexural Strength 1,000 psi Flexural Modulus 1,000 psi Notched Izod ft-lb/in. Heat Deflection Temperature, F at 264 psi Flammability UL-94 b Dielectric Strength V/mil Water Absorption % in 24 hr Chemical Resistancec Price Range per lb. Comments
Liquid Crystal Polymer Vectra® Ticona Engineering Polymers 1.40-1.90 C 20-35 1.2-6.9 22-43 1,300-2,700 1.0-7.0 350-460 VO @ 1/32 790-1,100 0.02-.04 Broad 8.00-10.00 Very easy flow
Liquid Crystal Polymer Xydar® Solvay Advanced Polymers 1.60-1.80 C 14-20 1.5-1.8 19-25 1,790-1,950 1.4-1.8 515-520 VO @ 1/32 920-1,000 <0.1 Broad 10.00-12.00 Very easy flow
Polyamide-Imide Torlon® Solvay Advanced Polymers 1.42-1.61 A 16-36 .15 30-52 730-2,880 0.9-2.7 532-540 VO 580 .24-0.33 B 30.00-37.00 Parts must be cured in oven for up to 21 days
Polyarysulfone Radel® R Solvay Advanced Polymers 1.30 A 10.1 7.2 15.2 350 13 405 VO @ 1/32 360 .37 AH, K, E 4.65-6.00 Generally transparent, good dimensional stability & chemical resistance
Polyethersulfone Radel® A Solvay Advanced Polymers 1.37-1.51 A 12-15 6.5 16-23 420-930 1.6-1.7 400-417 VO @ 1/32 380-440 .45-.54 A, AH, K, E    
Polyethermide Ultem® General Electric Plastics 1.27-1.61 A 15-27 5-8 22-36 480-1,700 0.8-2.1 387-433 VO @ 1/64 530-830 0.22-0.25 C, K, E 10.00 Transparent amber or opaque
Polyether etherketone Victrex PEEK® Victrex USA Inc. 1.32-1.44 C 13-31 2-11 25-46 531-1,887 1.5-1.9 300-600 VO @ 1/16 483 0.5-0.6 H2, SO4,HNO3 40.00-55.00 Highest resistance to steam & chemicals
Polyether etherketone Tecapeek PVX Ensinger 1.48 C 17.3 2.5 30 1,400 3.25 530 - - - Broad 40.00 Outstanding friction & wear properties
Polyphenylene sulfide Fortron® Ticona Engineering Polymers 1.64-2.03 C 12-24 1-1.5 32-35 1,900 1.4-1.6 500 VO 450 .02 Broad 4.50-6.75 Very good properties & low cost
Polyphenylene sulfide Ryton® Chevron Phillips 1.60-1.90 C 10-18 0.5-0.9 5-26 1,700-2,400 0.6-1.3 500 VO-5V 320-450 0.03-0.07 Broad 3.50-6.00 Very good properties & low cost
Polyphenylene sulfide Tecatron PVX Ensinger 1.50 C 5.1 1.0 11.6 465         <0.15 Broad 11.00 Outstanding friction & wear properties
Polysulfone Blends Mindel® Solvay Advanced Polymers 1.13-1.66 A/C 6-18 1.3-6 12-24 316-1,575 1.0-7.0 300-320 VO @ 1/32 400-500 0.07-0.25 AH, K, C 3.00-5.00 FDA grades, plate-able grades available
Polyimide-TP Aurum® Dupont 1.33-1.47 A/C 13-35 2-90 14-56 430-3,200 1.1-2.7 460-572 VO 415-528 .23-.34 Broad 40.00-55.00  
Polyether Ketone Ketone (PEKK) Oxpekk Oxford Performance Materials 1.31-1.51 A/C 16-36 1.2-12 28-56 660-3,000 1-1.3 347-572 VO @ 1/16 600 .3 Broad 40.00-55.00  

 

Notes
a. A=Amorphous; C=Crystalline; A/C=Amorphous/Crystalline Blend
b. Results are for 1/8 inch samples unless otherwise noted
c. Resins show as "Broad" resists most chemicals. Substances may present problems with specific resins are listed below. Actual performance depends on many factors: Consult supplier for further details.
 

Chemical Resistance Code
A Acids
AH Aromic hydrocarbon solvents
B Bases
C Chlorinated hydrocarbons
E Esters
K Ketones
1 Elongation shown at break
2 All grades are reinforced or filled
3 Water absorption at equilibrium