| Polymer | Melting Temperature (oC) 1 |
Decomposition Range2 |
Flash-Ignition Temperatures3 |
| polyethylene (PE) | 135 | 335-450 | 341-357 |
| polypropylene (PP) | 170 | 328-410 | --- |
| polyvinyl chloride (PVC) | 265 | 200-300 | 391 |
| polytetrafluoro- ethylene (PTFE) |
335 | 500-540 | --- |
| polystyrene (PS) | 242 | 300-400 | 345-360 |
| nylon 6,6 | 268 | 310-380 | 421 |
| polyethylene terephthalate (PET) |
268 | 283-306 | --- |
| polycarbonate (PC) |
(150)4 | 420-620 | 375-467 |
| polyaramid |
--- | 425-550 | --- |
| polyurethane, polyether foam |
--- | --- | 310 |
| cellulose (wood) |
--- | --- | 220-264 |
1This is an approximate melting temperature for crystalline polymers.
2Decomposition involves the fragmentation into smaller molecules through the breaking of intramolecular bonds.
3Flash-ignition temperature is where the vapors forming will ignite in air when exposed to a flame.
4Polycarbonate glass transition temperature, Tg. The material softens to a point of flow without a characteristic melting point.
References:
Hilado, C. J. Flammability Handbook for Plastics, 5th Ed. Technomic Publishing: Lancaster, PA, 1998; p. 41-44.
Stevens, M. P. Polymer Chemistry, An Introduction, 3rd Ed. Oxford Press, 1998.
Kroschwitz, J. I. Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering, John Wiley & Sons, 1988.