CA LP
Grade
LP = 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.
Values for the LP condition
Other CA grades and fills
CA is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at CA.
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 |
LPThis page 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 |
What is CA LP?
CA LP is CA in the LP grade — pick when stiffness, dimensional stability and higher HDT are needed (rigid housings, sheet, technical film); flow is poor and impact strength lower. CA LP has a yield strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) and a tensile strength of 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) — stronger than 56% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 2.2 GPa (0.319 Msi). CA LP has a density of 1.31 g/cm³ (0.0473 lb/in³), heavier than 71% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 150°C (302 °F).
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 92% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.4%, better than 82% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Absorbs moisture — dry before molding — 2%, worse than 97% of polymer grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 55/100, worse than 94% of polymer grades
CA LP properties
Typical room-temperature values for CA LP; 28 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are CA reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical6
CA LP has a density of 1.31 g/cm³ (0.0473 lb/in³), heavier than 71% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 150°C (302 °F).
Mechanical16
CA LP has a yield strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) and a tensile strength of 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) — stronger than 56% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 2.2 GPa (0.319 Msi).
Thermal11
CA LP is rated for continuous service to 80°C (176 °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 105 µm/m·K (58.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
CA LP 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 LP 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 LP's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 74% of polymer grades); weldability fair (50/100); formability good (65/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with CA LP
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.
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.
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) | — |
CA LP — frequently asked
What is CA LP used for?
CA LP 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 LP?
CA LP has a typical yield strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) and a tensile strength of 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) — stronger than 56% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is CA LP easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 74% 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 LP be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (50/100). 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 LP?
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 LP 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 LP?
CA LP is rated for continuous use to about 80°C (176 °F), and briefly to 90°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.