NEMA Laminate vs. PPO

NEMA laminate belongs to the thermoset plastics classification, while PPO belongs to the thermoplastics. There are 11 material properties with values for both materials. Properties with values for just one material (10, in this case) are not shown.

For each property being compared, the top bar is NEMA laminate and the bottom bar is PPO.

NEMA Industrial Laminate Polyphenylene Oxide (PPO)

Metric UnitsUS Customary Units

Mechanical Properties

Flexural Modulus, GPa		6.4 to 18
Flexural Modulus, GPa		2.5 to 8.6

Flexural Strength, MPa		87 to 340
Flexural Strength, MPa		92 to 140

Impact Strength: Notched Izod, J/m		20 to 430
Impact Strength: Notched Izod, J/m		80 to 270

Tensile Strength: Ultimate (UTS), MPa		55 to 260
Tensile Strength: Ultimate (UTS), MPa		63 to 140

Thermal Properties

Maximum Temperature: Mechanical, °C		120 to 200
Maximum Temperature: Mechanical, °C		100 to 110

Thermal Expansion, µm/m-K		9.0 to 20
Thermal Expansion, µm/m-K		25 to 60

Electrical Properties

Dielectric Strength (Breakdown Potential), kV/mm		12 to 21
Dielectric Strength (Breakdown Potential), kV/mm		19 to 21

Otherwise Unclassified Properties

Density, g/cm³		1.3 to 1.9
Density, g/cm³		1.1 to 1.4

Water Absorption After 24 Hours, %		0.17 to 3.5
Water Absorption After 24 Hours, %		0.060 to 0.070

Common Calculations

Strength to Weight: Axial, points		8.3 to 40
Strength to Weight: Axial, points		16 to 27

Strength to Weight: Bending, points		17 to 50
Strength to Weight: Bending, points		33 to 42