Selected Thermal Properties

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.