APET rPET
Grade
rPET = post-consumer recycled content sheet
Choose for recycled-content targets and cost; expect slight haze/tint and lower ductility batch-to-batch.
Values for the rPET 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 datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
coextruded sheet with PE sealing layer | Choose for heat-sealed food trays needing a peelable or weld-seal PE inner layer. | 46 | 48 | 200 | 76 Shore D |
Flame-retardant sheet | Niche electronics-tray/insert sheet where a flammability rating is contractually required. | 47 | 48 | 80 | 82 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. | 49 | 50 | 60 | 83 Shore D |
rPETThis page Post-consumer recycled content sheet | Choose for recycled-content targets and cost; expect slight haze/tint and lower ductility batch-to-batch. | 51 | 52 | 150 | 81 Shore D |
Pigmented opaque sheet | Pick for light-protective or branded trays where transparency is not needed. | 52 | 52 | 150 | 82 Shore D |
Anti-fog coated / additive sheet | Use for chilled fresh-food trays and lids where condensation must not blur the view window. | 54 | 55 | 240 | 82 Shore D |
What is APET rPET?
APET rPET is APET in the rPET grade — choose for recycled-content targets and cost; expect slight haze/tint and lower ductility batch-to-batch. APET rPET has a yield strength of 51 MPa (7.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) — stronger than 54% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 150% and the elastic modulus is 2.3 GPa (0.326 Msi). APET rPET 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
- Low embodied carbon — 1.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 99% of polymer grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 4 MPa·√m (3.64 ksi·√in), better than 92% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.4%, better than 82% of polymer grades
- Forms and bends easily — 82/100, better than 77% of polymer grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, 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 rPET properties
Typical room-temperature values for APET rPET; 29 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 rPET 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).
Mechanical17
APET rPET has a yield strength of 51 MPa (7.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) — stronger than 54% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 150% and the elastic modulus is 2.3 GPa (0.326 Msi).
Thermal11
APET rPET 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).
Electrical7
APET rPET is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 20 kV/mm (508 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), worse than 92% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of APET rPET takes about 50 MJ of energy and emits 1.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 99% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 50%.
Manufacturability7
APET rPET's machinability is good (65/100, better than 66% of polymer grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability very good (82/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with APET rPET
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.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| isophthalic acid (IPA) comonomercrystallization retarder that keeps the quenched sheet amorphous/clear | 1 – 4 | 2 |
| diethylene glycol (DEG, in-situ) | 0.8 – 1.6 | 1.2 |
| Sb2O3 / Ti polycondensation catalyst res | 0.02 – 0.03 | 0.02 |
| additives (slip, AF coating, pigment, an | 0 – 3 | 0.3 |
| polyethylene terephthalate (TPA + MEG reIV typically 0.72–0.84 dL/g for sheet extrusion | ≥ 95 (balance) | — |
APET rPET — frequently asked
What is APET rPET used for?
APET rPET 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 rPET?
APET rPET has a typical yield strength of 51 MPa (7.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) — stronger than 54% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is APET rPET 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 rPET 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 rPET?
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 rPET 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 rPET?
APET rPET 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
- GB/T 16958 PET — SAC (2008)
- ISO 527 / ISO 178 / ISO 75 plastics test methods — ISO (2019)
- APET clear thermoforming sheet technical data (typical extruder datasheets) — sheet extruders (Klöckner Pentaplast / Octal / ) (2024)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 Engineering Plastics — PET — ASM International (1988)
- CAMPUS plastics — amorphous PET datasets — CWFG (2024)
- PlasticsEurope Eco-profile: PET (bottle grade) and sheet extrusion — PlasticsEurope (2017)
- 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.