| Properties* | Aluminum | Polyethylene | Polypropylene Impact (rubber-modified) | Ethylene Vinyl Acetate | FlexTemp Thermoplastic Rubber | Silicone Rubber | Vinyl | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low-Density | High-Density | Standard | High-Temp | ||||||
| Mechanical Characteristics | |||||||||
| Specific gravity (density) | 2.73 | 0.910 – 0.925 | 0.941 – 0.965 | 0.890. – 0.91 | .920 – .950 | .940 – .960 | 1.18 | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| Tensile strength, p.s.i. | 31 – 42 | 600 – 2300 | 3100 – 5500 | 2800 – 4400 | 1440 – 2500 | 2400 – 3100 | 200 – 1500 | 2300 | 2100 |
| Elongation, % | 20% min. | 90.0 – 800.0 | 20.0 – 1000.0 | 350.0 – >500.0 | 550 – 900 | 500 – 620 | 700 | 400 | 270 |
| Compressive strength, p.s.i. | 11 | — | 2700 – 3600 | 4000 – 6500 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Tear strength (ASTM D1004) | — | — | — | — | — | — | 200pli | 185pli | 270pli |
| Impact strength, ft. lb./in. of notch (1/2x1/2 in. notched bar, izod test) | No break | No break | 0.5 – 20.0 | 1.0 – 15.0 @ 73°F | No break | — | — | — | — |
| Hardness, Rockwell | — | D41 – D46 (Shore) R10 | D60 – 70 (Shore) | R50-R85 | D17 – 45 (Shore) | — | A25 – 80 (Shore) | A60 – 70 (Shore) | A80 – 90 (Shore) |
| Electrical Characteristics | |||||||||
| Volume resistivity, ohm/cm3 (50% RH and 23°C) | — | >1016 | >1016 | >1015 | >1015 | — | — | — | — |
| Dielectric constant, 60 cyc. | — | 2.25 – 2.35 | 2.30 – 2.35 | 2.3 | 2.50 – 3.16 | — | — | — | — |
| Dissipation (power) factor, 60 cyc. | — | <0.0005 | <0.0005 | >0.0003 | >0.0030 | — | — | — | — |
| Service Temperatures | |||||||||
| Continuous °C/°F | 343/650 | 66/150 | 74/165 | 121/250 | 60/140 | 132/275 | 232/450 | 93/200 | 149/300 |
| Intermittent °C/°F | 343/650 | 79/175 | 102/215 | 149/300 | 316/600 | 177/350 | 246/475 | ||
| Brittleness °C/°F | -70/-94 | <-70/<-94 | -18/0 | <-70/<-94 | <-68/<-90 | 0 | -32/-29 | -32/-26 | — |
| Resistance Characteristics | |||||||||
| Water absorp., 24 hr., 1/8" thick, % | 0 | <0.015 | <0.01 | <0.01 | .05-.13 | <.10 | — | — | — |
| Burning rate (flammability), in./min. | — | Very slow (1.04) | Very slow (1.00 – 1.04) | Slow | — | Slow | Very slow | Slow | Slow |
| Effect of sunlight | — | Unprotected material crazes rapidly. Requires black for complete protection. | — | — | Very resistant | Good resistance | Good resistance | ||
| Effect of weak acids | Varies | Resistant | Very resistant | Completely resistant | Resistant | Very resistant | Poor | Very resistant | Very resistant |
| Effect of strong acids | Varies | Attacked by oxidizing acids | Attacked slowly by oxidizing acids | Resistant to oxidizing acids | Resistant | — | Poor | Resistant | Resistant |
| Effect of weak alkalies | Cleaning agent | Resistant | Very resistant | Completely resistant | Resistant | Very resistant | Poor | Resistant | Resistant |
| Effect of strong alkalies | Etches | Resistant | Very resistant | Very resistant | Resistant | Very resistant | Poor | Resistant | Resistant |
| Effect of organic solvents | None | Resistant (below 60°C) | Resistant (below 80°C) | Attacked by hydrocarbons and chlorinated hydrocarbons | Resistant | Swells in contact with hydrocarbons and chlorinated hydrocarbons | Moderate | Good Resistance to alcohols, aliphatic hydrocarbons and oils | Good Resistance to alcohols, aliphatic hydrocarbons and oils |
| Machine qualities | Fair | Good | Excellent | Good | Fair | Fair | Poor | Poor | Poor |
| Clarity (natural material) | — | Translucent to opaque | Translucent to opaque | Translucent | Translucent to opaque | Opaque | Clear to opaque | Clear to opaque | — |
| Abrasion resistance | Low | — | — | — | — | — | Low | Very good | Very good |