FabDigitFabDigit

APET AF

Finish state

AF = anti-fog coated / additive sheet

Use for chilled fresh-food trays and lids where condensation must not blur the view window.

Standard cost $$

Values for the AF condition

Other APET grades and fills

APET is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at APET.

Compare all 6 grades and fillsHide
Grade · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %Hardness
coextruded sheet with PE sealing layer
Choose for heat-sealed food trays needing a peelable or weld-seal PE inner layer.464820076 Shore D
Flame-retardant sheet
Niche electronics-tray/insert sheet where a flammability rating is contractually required.47488082 Shore D
Carbon-loaded conductive black sheet
Opaque black conductive tray sheet for IC/PCB handling where 10^3–10^5 Ω surface resistivity is specified.49506083 Shore D
Post-consumer recycled content sheet
Choose for recycled-content targets and cost; expect slight haze/tint and lower ductility batch-to-batch.515215081 Shore D
Pigmented opaque sheet
Pick for light-protective or branded trays where transparency is not needed.525215082 Shore D
AFThis page
Anti-fog coated / additive sheet
Use for chilled fresh-food trays and lids where condensation must not blur the view window.545524082 Shore D

What is APET AF?

APET AF is APET supplied in the AF condition — use for chilled fresh-food trays and lids where condensation must not blur the view window. APET AF has a yield strength of 54 MPa (7.83 ksi) and a tensile strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) — stronger than 60% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 240% and the elastic modulus is 2.3 GPa (0.334 Msi). APET AF has a density of 1.34 g/cm³ (0.0482 lb/in³), heavier than 74% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 78°C (172 °F).

Advantages

  • Tough — resists crack growth — 5 MPa·√m (4.55 ksi·√in), better than 98% of polymer grades
  • Forms and bends easily — 88/100, better than 85% of polymer grades
  • Low embodied carbon — 2.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 85% of polymer grades
  • Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.4%, better than 82% of polymer grades
  • Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 240%, better than 77% of polymer grades

Limitations

  • Needs corrosion protection — 58/100, worse than 92% of polymer grades
  • Limited service temperature — 65°C (149 °F), worse than 83% of polymer grades

APET AF properties

Typical room-temperature values for APET AF; 26 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are APET reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.

Physical7

APET AF has a density of 1.34 g/cm³ (0.0482 lb/in³), heavier than 74% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 78°C (172 °F).

Density1.34 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³
Melting Temperature (Tm)250°C482 °F
Glass Transition (Tg)78°C172 °F
Water Absorption (24 h)0.15%
Water Absorption (Saturation)0.5%
Refractive Index1.575
Light Transmission88%

Mechanical17

APET AF has a yield strength of 54 MPa (7.83 ksi) and a tensile strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) — stronger than 60% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 240% and the elastic modulus is 2.3 GPa (0.334 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus2.3 GPa0.33 Msi
Shear Modulus0.85 GPa0.12 Msi
Bulk Modulus4 GPa0.58 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.4
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)55 MPa8 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)54 MPa7.8 ksi
Elongation at Break240%
Compressive Strength80 MPa11.6 ksi
Compressive Modulus2.2 GPa0.32 Msi
Flexural Strength80 MPa11.6 ksi
Flexural Modulus2.3 GPa0.33 Msi
Shear Strength50 MPa7.3 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)5 MPa·√m4.6 ksi·√in
Izod Impact, Notched45 J/m0.84 ft·lbf/in
Hardness, Shore D82 Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell M80 HRM
Hardness, Rockwell R108 HRR

Thermal11

APET AF is rated for continuous service to 65°C (149 °F). It conducts heat at 0.2 W/m·K (0.116 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 56% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 70 µm/m·K (38.9 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity0.2 W/m·K0.12 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity1,250 J/kg·K0.3 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)70 µm/m·K38.9 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)65°C149 °F
Min Service Temperature-40°C-40 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa70°C158 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa66°C151 °F
Vicat Softening Point (B50)79°C174 °F
Flammability (UL 94)HB (typical unmodified clear sheet; not FR-rated)
Limiting Oxygen Index21%
Max Service Temperature (short-term)80°C176 °F

Electrical7

APET AF is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 20 kV/mm (508 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in
Dielectric Strength20 kV/mm508 V/mil
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)3.1
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)0.02
Volume Resistivity1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm
Surface Resistivity1×10¹⁶ Ω
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)250 V

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), worse than 92% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.

Corrosion ResistanceGood58/100
UV / Weathering ResistanceFair35/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood against water, dilute acids, oils, fats, alcohols and most food contents; attacked by strong alkalis (hydrolysis), hot water/steam above ~60 °C, ketones, phenols and chlorinated solvents; ESC risk with concentrated caustic and some amines.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of APET AF takes about 84 MJ of energy and emits 2.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 81% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)84 MJ/kg36,114 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.9 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water200 L/kg24 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability7

APET AF's machinability is good (65/100, better than 66% of polymer grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability excellent (88/100).

MachinabilityGood65/100
WeldabilityFair40/100
Formability (cold)Excellent88/100
PolishabilityVery good70/100
Mold Shrinkage0.4%
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)275°C527 °F
Mold Temperature (typ.)25°C77 °F

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with APET AF

Is APET easy to machine?

Die-cuts, steel-rule punches and CNC routers work well with sharp positive-rake tools and air blast; avoid heat build-up which locally crystallizes and whitens the cut edge.

Can APET be welded?

Excellent heat, impulse, HF and ultrasonic sealing; solvent bonding is poor, so use hot-melt/PSA or mechanical snap-fit for secondary joining.

Can APET be formed, bent or molded?

Dry sheet 4 h at 60–70 °C before extrusion/regrind; thermoform at 120–160 °C sheet temperature with fast quench moulds (10–25 °C) to keep the part amorphous and clear.

What surface finishes work on APET?

Accepts corona-treated flexo/screen/UV offset printing, hot stamping and in-mould labels; no plating, and hot alkaline cleaning must be avoided (hydrolysis).

APET chemical composition (wt %)

Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
isophthalic acid (IPA) comonomercrystallization retarder that keeps the quenched sheet amorphous/clear1 – 42
diethylene glycol (DEG, in-situ)0.8 – 1.61.2
Sb2O3 / Ti polycondensation catalyst res0.02 – 0.030.02
additives (slip, AF coating, pigment, an0 – 30.3
polyethylene terephthalate (TPA + MEG reIV typically 0.72–0.84 dL/g for sheet extrusion≥ 95 (balance)—

APET AF — frequently asked

What is APET AF used for?

APET AF is typically used for thermoformed clamshell packaging, blister packs, food trays and protective covers. In short: clear thermoforming PET sheet; amorphous, not ovenable; food-contact packaging sheet.

What is the yield strength of APET AF?

APET AF has a typical yield strength of 54 MPa (7.83 ksi) and a tensile strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) — stronger than 60% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.

Is APET AF easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 66% of polymer grades). Die-cuts, steel-rule punches and CNC routers work well with sharp positive-rake tools and air blast; avoid heat build-up which locally crystallizes and whitens the cut edge.

Can APET AF be welded?

With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). Excellent heat, impulse, HF and ultrasonic sealing; solvent bonding is poor, so use hot-melt/PSA or mechanical snap-fit for secondary joining.

What surface finishes work on APET AF?

Accepts corona-treated flexo/screen/UV offset printing, hot stamping and in-mould labels; no plating, and hot alkaline cleaning must be avoided (hydrolysis).

Can APET AF be formed, bent or molded?

Dry sheet 4 h at 60–70 °C before extrusion/regrind; thermoform at 120–160 °C sheet temperature with fast quench moulds (10–25 °C) to keep the part amorphous and clear.

What is the maximum service temperature of APET AF?

APET AF is rated for continuous use to about 65°C (149 °F), and briefly to 80°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. GB/T 16958 PET — SAC (2008)
  2. ISO 527 / ISO 178 / ISO 75 plastics test methods — ISO (2019)
  3. APET clear thermoforming sheet technical data (typical extruder datasheets) — sheet extruders (Klöckner Pentaplast / Octal / ) (2024)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol. 2 Engineering Plastics — PET — ASM International (1988)
  5. CAMPUS plastics — amorphous PET datasets — CWFG (2024)
  6. PlasticsEurope Eco-profile: PET (bottle grade) and sheet extrusion — PlasticsEurope (2017)
  7. APET (2026)

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.