CAP vs. Phenolic

CAP belongs to the thermoplastics classification, while phenolic belongs to the thermoset plastics. There are 13 material properties with values for both materials. Properties with values for just one material (17, in this case) are not shown.

For each property being compared, the top bar is CAP and the bottom bar is phenolic.

Cellulose Acetate Propionate (CAP)Phenol Formaldehyde (PF, Phenolic)

Metric UnitsUS Customary Units

Mechanical Properties

Elongation at Break, %		35 to 50
Elongation at Break, %		2.0

Tensile Strength: Ultimate (UTS), MPa		28 to 45
Tensile Strength: Ultimate (UTS), MPa		48

Thermal Properties

Glass Transition Temperature, °C		190
Glass Transition Temperature, °C		170

Specific Heat Capacity, J/kg-K		1480
Specific Heat Capacity, J/kg-K		1400

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

Thermal Expansion, µm/m-K		14
Thermal Expansion, µm/m-K		120

Electrical Properties

Dielectric Constant (Relative Permittivity) At 1 MHz		3.6
Dielectric Constant (Relative Permittivity) At 1 MHz		7.5

Dielectric Strength (Breakdown Potential), kV/mm		15
Dielectric Strength (Breakdown Potential), kV/mm		46

Electrical Resistivity Order of Magnitude, 10^x Ω-m		16
Electrical Resistivity Order of Magnitude, 10^x Ω-m		11

Otherwise Unclassified Properties

Density, g/cm³		1.2
Density, g/cm³		1.3

Common Calculations

Strength to Weight: Axial, points		6.5 to 10
Strength to Weight: Axial, points		10

Strength to Weight: Bending, points		17 to 23
Strength to Weight: Bending, points		23

Thermal Diffusivity, mm²/s		0.14
Thermal Diffusivity, mm²/s		0.14