To compare the properties of plastics relative measurements must be used. Although there are specific standards, most of the time the evaluation of a particular plastic’s properties are published in terms of a relative scale such as “Poor, Good, Better, and Excellent.” The table below defines the properties of plastics in the following categories:
Mechanical
Load per unit area, resistance to bending, or resistance to changing size.
Thermal
Associated changes in the size of a part as compared to the change in temperature. changes in temperature affect more than size. For example, they affect the overall strength of a material to carry a load, or the weather ability of a material, which is directly related to the degradation of the plastic over time. Temperature usually accelerates this degradation.
Electrical
The ability for the material to be a good insulator.
Chemical
The compatibility of the material with different chemistries.
*Fluoropolymer.