Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a thermoplastic polyester widely used for its combination of mechanical strength, chemical resistance, and ease of processing. It is the dominant material for beverage bottles, food containers, and flexible packaging due to its clarity, lightweight nature, and recyclability, while also serving demanding applications in textiles, automotive components, and electrical insulation where its stiffness and thermal stability are advantageous. Engineers select PET when balancing cost-effectiveness with reliable performance in semi-structural applications, though its lower service temperature and moisture sensitivity compared to engineering plastics like polycarbonate or nylon require careful consideration in high-heat or high-humidity environments.
Compliance & Regulations
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Compressive Strength(σc) | 7.975 | ksi | — | ||
Hardness (Vickers)(HV) | 3,250 | HV | — | ||
Ultimate Tensile Strength(σUTS) | 14.30 | ksi | — | ||
Young's Modulus(E) | 368.4 | ksi | — |
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Glass Transition Temperature(Tg) | 170 | °F | — | ||
Melting Point / Solidus(Tm) | 434.1 | °F | — | ||
Maximum Service Temperature(Tmax) | 513.2 | °F | — | ||
Thermal Conductivity(k) | 0.1657 | BTU/(hr·ft·°F) | — |
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Band Gap(Eg) | 2.750 | eV | — |
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Refractive Index(n) | 1.560 | - | — |