CAB HP
Other
HP = high-plasticizer (soft, high-flow) grade
Pick when maximum toughness, soft touch and easy flow matter more than stiffness or heat resistance (tool handles, dip coatings, flexible tubing).
Values for the HP condition
Other CAB grades and fills
CAB is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at CAB.
Compare all 3 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HPThis page High-plasticizer (soft, high-flow) grade | Pick when maximum toughness, soft touch and easy flow matter more than stiffness or heat resistance (tool handles, dip coatings, flexible tubing). | 18 | 21 | 85 | 63 Shore D |
Low-plasticizer (rigid, high-heat) grade | Choose for maximum stiffness, hardness, dimensional stability and heat-deflection temperature; accepts lower impact strength. | 42 | 44 | 40 | 81 Shore D |
Unplasticized coating/ink resin flake | Solvent-soluble CAB flake used as a flow/levelling, redispersion and hardness additive in automotive coatings, wood lacquers and inks. | 50 | 55 | 12 | 85 Shore D |
What is CAB HP?
CAB HP is CAB in the HP condition — pick when maximum toughness, soft touch and easy flow matter more than stiffness or heat resistance (tool handles, dip coatings, flexible tubing). CAB HP has a yield strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) and a tensile strength of 21 MPa (3.05 ksi) — weaker than 82% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 85% and the elastic modulus is 0.7 GPa (0.102 Msi). CAB HP has a density of 1.16 g/cm³ (0.0419 lb/in³), lighter than 55% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 115°C (239 °F).
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 92% of polymer grades
- Forms and bends easily — 90/100, better than 91% of polymer grades
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 70/100, better than 83% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 50/100, worse than 97% of polymer grades
- Limited service temperature — 55°C (131 °F), worse than 91% of polymer grades
- Absorbs moisture — dry before molding — 1.3%, worse than 88% of polymer grades
- Low strength — 18 MPa (2.61 ksi), worse than 82% of polymer grades
CAB HP properties
Typical room-temperature values for CAB HP; 21 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are CAB reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical6
CAB HP has a density of 1.16 g/cm³ (0.0419 lb/in³), lighter than 55% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 115°C (239 °F).
Mechanical16
CAB HP has a yield strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) and a tensile strength of 21 MPa (3.05 ksi) — weaker than 82% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 85% and the elastic modulus is 0.7 GPa (0.102 Msi).
Thermal11
CAB HP is rated for continuous service to 55°C (131 °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 160 µm/m·K (88.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
CAB HP is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 16 kV/mm (406.4 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (50/100), worse than 97% of polymer grades. UV resistance is very good.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of CAB HP takes about 105 MJ of energy and emits 4.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 54% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
CAB HP's machinability is good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades); weldability good (60/100); formability excellent (90/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with CAB HP
Is CAB easy to machine?
Machines and turns cleanly with sharp positive-rake tools and generous chip clearance; use air or light coolant to avoid heat softening and plasticizer bloom.
Can CAB be welded?
Joins readily by solvent cementing (acetone/MEK blends) or hot-plate/ultrasonic welding; hot-gas welding is possible but degrades easily above ~230 °C.
Can CAB be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 2–3 h at 70–80 °C before molding; melt 175–230 °C, mold 40–80 °C, low back pressure — sheet thermoforms and cold-bends very easily.
What surface finishes work on CAB?
Buffs to a deep high gloss (classic eyewear finish), takes solvent-based lacquers, printing inks and vacuum metallizing well; avoid aggressive ketone cleaners.
CAB 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 |
|---|---|---|
| butyryl contentwt % of ester substitution; higher butyryl = softer, more solvent-tolerant | 17 – 55 | 37 |
| acetyl contentwt % of ester substitution | 2 – 30 | 13 |
| hydroxyl contentresidual free OH, controls polarity/crosslinkability | 0.8 – 5 | 1.5 |
| plasticizer (e.g. adipate/phthalate/citr0 % in coating flake; 15–25 % in soft molding compounds | 0 – 25 | 12 |
| stabilizers / UV absorber / colorant | 0 – 3 | 1 |
| cellulose backbone (anhydroglucose unitswood pulp / cotton linter derived | balance | — |
CAB HP — frequently asked
What is CAB HP used for?
CAB HP is typically used for tool handles, steering wheels, pen barrels, outdoor signage, lighting fixtures and automotive trim. In short: most weatherable cellulosic; 60 % elongation, tough; best cellulosic for outdoors.
What is the yield strength of CAB HP?
CAB HP has a typical yield strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) and a tensile strength of 21 MPa (3.05 ksi) — weaker than 82% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is CAB HP easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades). Machines and turns cleanly with sharp positive-rake tools and generous chip clearance; use air or light coolant to avoid heat softening and plasticizer bloom.
Can CAB HP be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Joins readily by solvent cementing (acetone/MEK blends) or hot-plate/ultrasonic welding; hot-gas welding is possible but degrades easily above ~230 °C.
What surface finishes work on CAB HP?
Buffs to a deep high gloss (classic eyewear finish), takes solvent-based lacquers, printing inks and vacuum metallizing well; avoid aggressive ketone cleaners.
Can CAB HP be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 2–3 h at 70–80 °C before molding; melt 175–230 °C, mold 40–80 °C, low back pressure — sheet thermoforms and cold-bends very easily.
What is the maximum service temperature of CAB HP?
CAB HP is rated for continuous use to about 55°C (131 °F), and briefly to 95°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ASTM D707 — Standard Specification for Cellulose Acetate Butyrate Molding and Extrusion Compounds — ASTM International (2020)
- ASTM D817 — Test Methods for Cellulose Acetate Propionate and Cellulose Acetate Butyrate — ASTM International (2020)
- Tenite Butyrate cellulosic plastics — property and processing data — Eastman Chemical (2022)
- CAB (cellulose acetate butyrate) coating resins technical data — Eastman Chemical (2021)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- CAMPUS / Prospector cellulose ester datasets — CWFG / UL Solutions (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.