Thermal Expansion of Common Polymers and Plastics
The following table provides a comprehensive list of linear thermal expansion coefficients for different polymers and plastics, taken at room temperature (approximately 20°C or 68°F) and 1 atmospheric (atm) pressure. (1 atm = 101,325 Pa)
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| Acrylonitrile butadiene-styrene (ABS) | 53 - 110 |
| Casein formaldehyde (GAT) | 50 |
| Cellulose acetate (CA) | 80 - 180 |
| Cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) | 140 |
| Cellulose acetate propionate (CAP) | 120 - 160 |
| Cellulose nitrate (CN) | 65 - 160 |
| Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) | 68 - 78 |
| Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) | 90 |
| Ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE) | 80 |
| Fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) | 135 |
| Melamine formaldehyde (MF) | 22 |
| Nylon 6 (PA6) | 45 |
| Nylon 11 (PA11) | 125 |
| Nylon 12 (PA12) | 100 - 120 |
| Nylon 46 (PA46) | 25 - 50 |
| Nylon 66 (PA66) | 40 |
| Nylon 612 (PA612) | 120 - 130 |
| Phenol formaldehyde (PF) | 16 |
| Polyarylate resins (PAR) | 50 - 72 |
| Polybenzeneimidazole (PBI) | 23 |
| Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) | 45 |
| Polybutylene (PB) | 13 |
| Polycarbonate (PC) | 38 - 70 |
| Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) | 26 - 108 |
| Polyetherimide (PEI) | 31 - 56 |
| Polyethersulfone (PESU) | 55 |
| High-density polyethylene (HDPE) | 100 - 200 |
| Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) | 100 - 200 |
| Medium-density polyethylene (MDPE) | 100 - 200 |
| Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) | 130 - 200 |
| Polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) | 20 - 21 |
| Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | 15 - 65 |
| Polyimide (PI) | 30 - 60 |
| Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) | 34 - 77 |
| Polymethylpentene (PMP) | 117 |
| Polyoxymethylene (POM) | 85 |
| Polyphenylene oxide (PPO) | 38 - 60 |
| Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) | 30 - 49 |
| Polypropylene (PP atactic) | 68 - 95 |
| Polypropylene (PP isotactic) | 81 - 100 |
| Polypropylene (PP syndiotactic) | 60 - 90 |
| High-impact polystyrene (HIPS) | 90 |
| Polysulfone (PSU) | 31 - 51 |
| Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) | 100 - 160 |
| Polytrifluorochloroethylene (PTFCE) | 126 - 216 |
| Polyurethane (PUR) | 100 - 200 |
| Polyvinyl acetate (PVA) | 100 - 200 |
| Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) | 190 |
| Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) | 80 - 140 |
| Polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) | 50 |
| Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) | 60 - 70 |
| Unsaturated polyester (UP) | 16 |
| Urea-formaldehyde (UF) | 22 - 96 |
The thermal expansion of polymers and plastics can vary depending on the specific formulation and processing conditions of the polymer or plastic.
Related Tables
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.