General Properties Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a hard, stiff, strong, dimensionally stable material that absorbs very little

water. It has good gas barrier properties and good chemical resistance except to alkalis (which hydrolyse it). Its crystallinity varies from amorphous to fairly high crystalline. It can be highly transparent and colourless but thicker sections are usually opaque and off-white. Polyethylene Terephthalate Films It is widely known in the form of biaxially oriented and thermally stabilised films usually referred to by their main brand names Mylar, Melinex or Hostaphan. Strictly speaking, these names should be used only for this type of film whose properties are different from, and in several respects superior to, those of ordinary polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film. Applications These Mylar-type films are used for capacitators, graphics, film base and recording tapes etc. PET is also used for fibres for a very wide range of textile and industrial uses (Dacron, Trevira, Terylene). Other applications include bottles and electrical components. Key Properties
Chemical Resistance Acids concentrated Acids dilute Alcohols Alkalis Aromatic hydrocarbons Greases and Oils Halogens Ketones Electrical Properties Dielectric constant @1MHz Dielectric strength ( kV.mm )
-1

Good Good Good Poor Fair Good Good Good

3.0 17 0.002 1013 >1014

Dissipation factor @ 1kHz Surface resistivity ( Ohm/sq ) Volume resistivity ( Ohm.cm ) Mechanical Properties Coefficient of friction

0.2-0.4

Hardness Rockwell Izod impact strength ( J.m )

-1

M94-101 13-35 0.37-0.44(oriented) 2-4 80, for biax film 190-260

Poissons ratio Tensile modulus ( GPa ) Tensile strength ( MPa ) Physical Properties Density ( g.cm-3 ) Flammability Limiting oxygen index ( % ) Refractive index Resistance to Ultra-violet Water absorption - equilibrium ( % ) Water absorption - over 24 hours ( % ) Thermal Properties Coefficient of thermal expansion ( x10-6 K-1 ) Heat-deflection temperature - 0.45MPa ( C ) Heat-deflection temperature - 1.8MPa ( C ) Lower working temperature ( C ) Specific heat ( J.K .kg )
-1 -1

1.3-1.4 Self Extinguishing 21 1.58-1.64 Good <0.7 0.1

20-80 115 80 -40 to -60 1200 - 1350

Thermal conductivity ( W.m .K )

-1 -1

0.15-0.4 @ 23 115-170

Upper working temperature ( C ) Properties Polyethylene Terephthalate Film Property Dielectric Strength @25m thick Dissipation Factor @1MHz Elongation at Break Initial Tear Strength Permeability to Carbon Dioxide @25C Permeability to Hydrogen @25C Permeability to Nitrogen @25C Permeability to Oxygen @25C Permeability to Water @25C Specific Heat Thermal Conductivity @23C % g.m x10 x10 x10
-1

Value KV.mm-1 300 0.016 60-165 18-54

3 3 3 -2 -2 -2 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1

-13 -13 -13

cm .cm.cm .s .Pa cm .cm.cm .s .Pa cm .cm.cm .s .Pa

3 3 -2 -2 -1 -1

0.07-0.11 0.45 0.0034-0.0038 0.015-0.04 100-115 1.3 0.13-0.15

X10 cm .cm.cm .s .Pa

-13 -13

X10 cm .cm.cm .s .Pa KJ.kg .K

-1 -1

W.m .K
-1

-1

Properties Polyethylene Terephthalate Fibre Property Material Specific Modulus cN/tex Value Medium High tenacity 700-800

Specific Tenacity Density Extension to break Modulus Shrinkage @100C Tenacity

cN/tex g.cm % GPa % GPa

-3

36 1.39 36

70-80 1.39 13-16 9-11

4 0.5

1.5-6 0.9-1.1