Property	POLY- ETHYLENE UHMWPE	PTFE	PEEK 450G	TORLON 4203	TORLON 4301	PVC	PC	ABS
Colour	Trans.white	White	Fawn	Dark brown	Green/Black	Grey	Clear	White
Specific gravity	0.93	2.1-2.3	1.32	1.4	1.45	1.46	1.2	1.05
Water absorption  Saturation in Water	Non-absorbent	<0.02	0.45	3.5	3	0.2	0.35	<0.1
Tensile strength	40	10.0-12.0	92	192	164	48	65	30-45
Tensile modulus	522-690	340/638	3600	4900	6600	3500	2300	2000
Elongation	>350	>100/500	50	15	7	120	>50	30
Flexural strength	-	-	170	244	219	125	100	50
Fexural Modulus	517	-	3660	5000	6900	-	-	-
Hardness	-	-	M99	E86	E72	-	M75	-
Hardness	62	60-65	-	-	-	84	-	75
Melt point	130	327	334	-	-	-	-	-
Max. allowable service temp in air   For short periods (1)   Continuously for 20000hrs(2) Minimum service temperature	80 60 -260	300 250 -260	310 250 -50	260 230-260 -160	260 230-260 -160	130 80 -15	135 115 -60	120 80 -
Linear thermal expansion coefficient	20	10.0-12.0	4.7	3.08	2.52	7.0	6.5	9.0
Thermal conductivity	0.42	0.26	0.25	0.26	0.54	0.14	0.21	0.17
Flammability   UL (thickness in mm)	Slow Burning -	Non Flammable -	- V-0 (1.45)	- V-0 (1.17)	- V-0 (1.17)	- V-0	- V-2/V-0	- -
Volume resistivity	>1015	>1018	4.9x1018	2x1015	8x1013	4x1015	> 1018	1015
Dielectric strength (3)	20	> 24	25	23.6	-	20-50	> 30	15
Outside applications - UV resistance	D	A	A	C	C	A	D	A
Acids - strong (pH <3 )	D	A	A	A	A	A	D	B
Alkalis - strong (pH > 11)	D	A	A	C	C	A	D	B
Chloinated hydrocarbons	A	A	A	-	-	D	D	C
Hot water	D	A	A	E86	E72	A	A	A
	Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene exhibits exceptional toughness and a combination of physical and mechanical properties which enable it to perform well under the most rigorous conditions.	PTFE offers extreme chemical resistance and a wide operating temperature range combined with excellent dielectric performance and surface properties of low friction and anti-adhesion	A high performance engineering thermo- plastic with excellent thermal, chemical, electrical and mechanical properties. Hydrolysis resistance and radiation resistance are also very high.	TORLON offers exceptional physical and chemical properties and can withstand continuous exposure to temperatures between 230oC and 260oC. TORLON 4203 exhibits the best impact performance and optimum mechanical properties. TORLON 4301 retains a good balance of mechanical properties whilst achieving lower friction and considerably superior bearing performance.		A long established plastic with quite good mechanical properties, PVC is generally chosen when chemical resistance is required at low cost. It is ideal for prototyping applications and is easily fabricated.	Poly- carbonate is a virtually un- breakable optical quality material. It offers good mechanical strength, exceptional impact resistance, fire resistance and high optical quality.	A strong and rigid thermo- plastic with high impact strength and excellent thermal forming properties. It is also resistant to many acids /alkalis of medium con- centration and a good electrical insulator.