Properties of Polybutylene (PB)

Polybutylene (PB) is a thermoplastic polymer formerly used in plumbing and water distribution systems due to its low cost and flexibility. Despite its initial popularity from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s, its widespread use declined after issues with long-term durability emerged. Today, PB remains relevant for educational and material comparison purposes, especially in engineering research.

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The following table provides a comprehensive list of polybutylene (PB) properties in both SI and US customary/Imperial units at normal temperature and pressure (NTP).

Click on the button to switch between Metric and Imperial units.

Table of Polybutylene Properties
Physical Properties
Metric
CategoryThermoplastic
Density935 kg/m3
Water Absorption0.03 %wt/day
Mechanical PropertiesMetric
Yield Tensile Strength16 - 18 MPa
Young’s Modulus (E)0.3 GPa
Flexural Modulus0.75 GPa
Shore Hardness (D)60
Thermal PropertiesMetric
Melting Point127 °C
Thermal Conductivity0.22 W/m·K
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (αL)1.3×10-5 1/°C
Vicat Softening Temperature113 °C
Electrical PropertiesMetric
Relative Permittivity (@1 MHz) (εr)2.53

Unless stated otherwise, all values are taken at room temperature (approximately 20°C or 68°F) and 1 atm pressure. (1 atm = 101,325 Pa)

Related Pages
References: 1) Cardarelli, François. Materials Handbook: A Concise Desktop Reference. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2018. 2) CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 97th Edition. United Kingdom: CRC Press, 2016-2017. 3) A.M. Howatson, P.G. Lun, J.D. Todd, P.D. Engineering Tables and Data. United Kingdom: University of Oxford, Department of Engineering Science, 2009.