Loss Tangent of Common Dielectric Materials

The loss tangent is a parameter that characterizes the lossiness or dissipative nature of dielectric materials. In the context of electromagnetic wave propagation and dielectric materials, the loss tangent is associated with the ability of a material to absorb and dissipate electromagnetic energy in the form of heat.

The following table provides a comprehensive list of loss tangent values for different dielectric materials at a frequency of 1 MHz.

Loss Tangent of Dielectric Materials
Alumina (90 wt% Al2O3)Ceramic0.0004
Alumina (96 wt% Al2O3)Ceramic0.0001
Alumina (99.5 wt% Al2O3)Ceramic0.0002
Alumina (99.9 wt% Al2O3)Ceramic0.0003
Alumina (99.99 wt% Al2O3)Ceramic0.0004
Alumina porcelainCeramic0.001 - 0.002
Askarel (pyralene, pyranol)Liquid0.01
Bakelite (phenol formaldehyde resin)Polymer0.0035 - 0.0045
Beryllia (99.5 wt% BeO)Ceramic0.0004
Boron nitride (BN)Ceramic0.0002
Cellulose acetateThermoplastic0.1
Cellulose triacetateThermoplastic0.1
Corning® 0010Glass0.015
Corning® 0080Glass0.058
Corning® 0120Glass0.012
EbonitePolymer0.0035 - 0.0045
FluoroelastomerElastomer0.037
Forsterite (Mg2SiO4)Mineral0.0003
Hard rubberElastomer0.0007 - 0.0028
Hexagonal boron nitride (96 wt% BN)Ceramic0.0002
Macor®Glass0.003
Mica, muscovite type (KAl2(Si3Al)O10(OH,F)2)Mineral0.0001 - 0.0004
Mica, phlogopite type (KMg3AlSi3O10(F,OH)2)Mineral0.004 - 0.070
Mineral oil (transformers)Liquid0.005
Paper (kraft, dry)Paper0.001
PolyamideThermoplastic0.016
PolyesterThermoplastic0.016
PolyethyleneThermoplastic0.0003
PolyimideThermoplastic0.010
PolypropyleneThermoplastic0.0003
PolytetrafluoroethyleneThermoplastic0.0002
PolytrifluorochloroethyleneThermoplastic0.017
PolyurethaneThermoset0.060
Polyvinyl chlorideThermoplastic0.14
Polyvinyl fluorideThermoplastic0.009
Polyvinylidene chlorideThermoplastic0.075
Polyvinylidene fluorideThermoplastic0.159
Pyrex® 1710Glass0.025
Pyrex® 3320Glass0.019
Pyrex® 7040Glass0.013
Pyrex® 7050Glass0.017
PyroceramCeramic0.0015
Silicon dioxide (SiO2)Ceramic0.00002
Silicon nitride (Si3N4)Ceramic0.0006 - 0.0017
Soda lime glassGlass0.009
SoapstoneMineral0.01
Steatite (talc)Ceramic0.0008 - 0.0035
References: 1) Cardarelli, François. Materials Handbook: A Concise Desktop Reference. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2018.