CAB vs. RPU

CAB belongs to the thermoplastics classification, while RPU belongs to the thermoset plastics. There are 14 material properties with values for both materials. Properties with values for just one material (15, in this case) are not shown.

For each property being compared, the top bar is CAB and the bottom bar is RPU.

Cellulose Acetate Butyrate (CAB)Rigid Thermoset Polyurethane (RPU)

Metric UnitsUS Customary Units

Mechanical Properties

Elongation at Break, %		50 to 55
Elongation at Break, %		90

Flexural Modulus, GPa		0.8 to 1.7
Flexural Modulus, GPa		2.0

Flexural Strength, MPa		21 to 57
Flexural Strength, MPa		83

Tensile Strength: Ultimate (UTS), MPa		20 to 50
Tensile Strength: Ultimate (UTS), MPa		60

Thermal Properties

Specific Heat Capacity, J/kg-K		1460
Specific Heat Capacity, J/kg-K		1750

Thermal Conductivity, W/m-K		0.25
Thermal Conductivity, W/m-K		0.19

Thermal Expansion, µm/m-K		14
Thermal Expansion, µm/m-K		63

Vicat Softening Temperature, °C		90 to 120
Vicat Softening Temperature, °C		120

Electrical Properties

Dielectric Strength (Breakdown Potential), kV/mm		15
Dielectric Strength (Breakdown Potential), kV/mm		19

Electrical Resistivity Order of Magnitude, 10^x Ω-m		16
Electrical Resistivity Order of Magnitude, 10^x Ω-m		13

Otherwise Unclassified Properties

Density, g/cm³		1.2
Density, g/cm³		1.2

Common Calculations

Strength to Weight: Axial, points		4.8 to 12
Strength to Weight: Axial, points		14

Strength to Weight: Bending, points		14 to 25
Strength to Weight: Bending, points		28

Thermal Diffusivity, mm²/s		0.14 to 0.15
Thermal Diffusivity, mm²/s		0.090