CA
A biobased thermoplastic derived from cellulose acetylation, valued for clarity, gloss, and biodegradability compared to petroleum plastics; used where a natural feel and good optical properties are needed.
Reference datasheet — CA is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
CA grades and fills
CA is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 3 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
High-plasticizer CA (20–30% plasticizer), soft/tough | Pick when maximum toughness, easy flow and warm hand feel matter (eyewear frames, tool handles, cast sheet); heat resistance and stiffness drop. | 26 | 30 | 50 | 66 Shore D |
cast/block eyewear sheet (block-pressed, patterned) | Choose for eyewear fronts and temples where layered/patterned aesthetics, CNC milling and tumble polishing are required. | 32 | 42 | 35 | 75 Shore D |
Low-plasticizer CA (≤12% plasticizer), rigid/heat-resistant | Pick when stiffness, dimensional stability and higher HDT are needed (rigid housings, sheet, technical film); flow is poor and impact strength lower. | 52 | 58 | 18 | 83 Shore D |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways CA is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
FILM | Optical/packaging film & solvent-cast grade | Supply form |
COMP | Compostable / biodegradability-tested grade | Certification |
FDA | Food-contact / medical compliant compound | Certification |
STDDefault | Standard plasticized injection-molding grade | Standard supply |
What is CA?
A biobased thermoplastic derived from cellulose acetylation, valued for clarity, gloss, and biodegradability compared to petroleum plastics; used where a natural feel and good optical properties are needed. CA has a density of 1.3 g/cm³ (0.047 lb/in³), heavier than 69% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 120°C (248 °F). CA has a yield strength of 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) and a tensile strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) — weaker than 66% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 1.6 GPa (0.232 Msi).
What is CA used for?
- eyeglass frames
- tool handles
- photographic film base
- packaging film
- toys
- cosmetic packaging
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 92% of polymer grades
- Easy to machine — 75/100, better than 78% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Absorbs moisture — dry before molding — 2.5%, worse than 98% of polymer grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 55/100, worse than 94% of polymer grades
- Limited service temperature — 65°C (149 °F), worse than 83% of polymer grades
CA properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical6
CA has a density of 1.3 g/cm³ (0.047 lb/in³), heavier than 69% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 120°C (248 °F).
Mechanical16
CA has a yield strength of 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) and a tensile strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) — weaker than 66% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 1.6 GPa (0.232 Msi).
Thermal11
CA is rated for continuous service to 65°C (149 °F). It conducts heat at 0.22 W/m·K (0.127 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 60% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 130 µm/m·K (72.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
CA is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 18 kV/mm (457.2 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁰ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 94% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of CA takes about 100 MJ of energy and emits 4 kg of CO₂ — less than 61% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 2%.
Manufacturability7
CA's machinability is very good (75/100, better than 78% of polymer grades); weldability good (55/100); formability very good (78/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. CA is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with CA
Is CA easy to machine?
Machines and routs cleanly with sharp positive-rake tools and high speed; avoid heat build-up (plasticizer sweats, edges soften) and use air blast rather than water-based coolant.
Can CA be welded?
Solvent bonding (acetone/methyl acetate/ethyl acetate mixes) and adhesive joints are standard; ultrasonic works on rigid low-plasticizer grades, hot-plate welding tends to scorch.
Can CA be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 2–4 h at 65–75 °C before molding; melt 175–230 °C with mold 35–75 °C, keep residence time short as CA degrades and releases acetic acid above ~240 °C; excellent thermoforming and bending in hot air or oil.
CA 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 |
|---|---|---|
| plasticizer (diethyl phthalate, triaceticontent sets the High/Low plasticizer grade split | 8 – 30 | 15 |
| heat/light stabilizer + antioxidant | 0.1 – 1 | 0.4 |
| residual free acetic acid / moisturemust be dried before molding | 0 – 0.5 | 0.2 |
| colorant / pearlescent pigment (optional | 0 – 3 | 0.5 |
| cellulose acetate polymer (acetyl contenwood pulp / cotton linter cellulose esterified with acetic anhydride | ≥ 70 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on CA?
Barrel/tumble polishing with wood chips and wax gives the classic high-gloss eyewear finish; flame or vapor polishing works but must be brief, and hard coats or UV-stabilized lacquers are advised for outdoor use.
How much does CA cost?
CA is a premium-cost polymer ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
CA — frequently asked
What is CA used for?
CA is typically used for eyeglass frames, tool handles, photographic film base, packaging film, toys and cosmetic packaging. In short: biobased high-gloss cellulosic; standard eyewear sheet material; easiest cellulosic to polish.
What is the yield strength of CA?
CA has a typical yield strength of 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) and a tensile strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) — weaker than 66% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is CA easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (75/100, better than 78% of polymer grades). Machines and routs cleanly with sharp positive-rake tools and high speed; avoid heat build-up (plasticizer sweats, edges soften) and use air blast rather than water-based coolant.
Can CA be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Solvent bonding (acetone/methyl acetate/ethyl acetate mixes) and adhesive joints are standard; ultrasonic works on rigid low-plasticizer grades, hot-plate welding tends to scorch.
What surface finishes work on CA?
Barrel/tumble polishing with wood chips and wax gives the classic high-gloss eyewear finish; flame or vapor polishing works but must be brief, and hard coats or UV-stabilized lacquers are advised for outdoor use.
Can CA be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 2–4 h at 65–75 °C before molding; melt 175–230 °C with mold 35–75 °C, keep residence time short as CA degrades and releases acetic acid above ~240 °C; excellent thermoforming and bending in hot air or oil.
What is the maximum service temperature of CA?
CA is rated for continuous use to about 65°C (149 °F), and briefly to 90°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does CA cost?
CA is a premium-cost polymer ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ASTM D706 — Cellulose Acetate Molding and Extrusion Compounds — ASTM International (2019)
- ISO 20200 — Determination of degree of disintegration of plastic materials under composting conditions — ISO (2023)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- Polymer Handbook, 4th ed. (cellulose esters section) — Wiley (1999)
- Cellulose ester molding compound and film technical literature (Eastman, Daicel, Mazzucchelli) — producers (2023)
- CAMPUS / UL Prospector cellulosic thermoplastic datasets — CWFG / UL (2024)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.