Glass Transition Temperature of Polymers and Plastics
The glass transition temperature (Tg) is a critical temperature for polymers and plastics, marking the point at which these materials transition from a hard, brittle, and glassy state to a softer, more flexible, and rubbery state.
At temperatures below Tg, the polymer chains are frozen in a relatively ordered and rigid structure, akin to a solid. As temperature increases and approaches Tg, the polymer chains start to move more freely, leading to a transition from a glassy to a rubbery state.
The following table provides a comprehensive list of glass transition temperatures (Tg) for different polymers and plastics, taken at 1 atm pressure. (1 atm = 101,325 Pa)
Click on the icon to switch between degrees Celsius (°C) and degrees Fahrenheit (°F) units.
Acrylonitrile butadiene-styrene (ABS) | 105 |
Butyl rubber (IIR) | -60 |
Cellulose acetate (CA) | 100 - 130 |
Cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) | 80 - 120 |
Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) | 100 - 110 |
Natural rubber | -70 |
Nylon 6 (PA6) | 55 |
Nylon 11 (PA11) | 35 - 45 |
Nylon 12 (PA12) | 35 - 45 |
Nylon 66 (PA66) | 55 |
Perfluorinated alkoxy (PFA) | 90 |
Polyamide-imide (PAI) | 280 |
Polyarylate (PAR) | 190 |
Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) | 55 - 65 |
Polycarbonate (PC) | 145 |
Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) | 140 |
Polyetherimide (PEI) | 215 |
Polyethersulfone (PESU) | 210 - 230 |
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) | -120 |
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) | -110 |
Medium-density polyethylene (MDPE) | -120 |
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | 70 |
Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) | 15 |
Polyimide (PI) | 280 - 330 |
Polylactic acid (PLA) | 60 - 65 |
Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) | 105 |
Polymethylpentene (PMP) | 30 |
Polyoxymethylene (POM) | -55 |
Polyphenylene oxide (PPO) | 85 |
Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) | 85 |
Polypropylene (PP atactic) | -20 |
Polypropylene (PP isotactic) | 0 |
Polypropylene (PP syndiotactic) | -10 |
High-impact polystyrene (HIPS) | 100 |
Polystyrene (PS) | 95 |
Polysulfone (PSU) | 190 |
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) | 115 |
Polytrifluorochloroethylene (PTFCE) | 45 |
Polyvinyl acetate (PVA) | 30 |
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVAL) | 85 |
Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) | -15 |
Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) | -35 |
Polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) | -20 |
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) | 80 |
The glass transition temperature of polymers can vary depending on factors such as the specific formulation and processing conditions.