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.