CTA PLZ
Additive grade
PLZ = plasticized injection-moulding / extrusion grade
Plasticizer-modified compound (usually with CA/CAB blending) when melt processing rather than solvent casting is required.
Values for the PLZ condition
Other CTA grades and fills
CTA is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at CTA.
Compare all 3 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Membrane grade | High-purity, tightly controlled DS/molecular-weight flake for asymmetric RO, NF and dialysis hollow-fibre casting; chlorine tolerant but pH-limited (4–7). | 6 | 10 | 30 | — |
PLZThis page Plasticized injection-moulding / extrusion grade | Plasticizer-modified compound (usually with CA/CAB blending) when melt processing rather than solvent casting is required. | — | 45 | 40 | 100 HRR |
Optical polarizer protective film grade | Choose for LCD polarizer protective film and optical compensation film where retardation must be near zero and haze <0.5 %. | 75 | 105 | 20 | 70 HRM |
What is CTA PLZ?
CTA PLZ is CTA in the PLZ grade — plasticizer-modified compound (usually with CA/CAB blending) when melt processing rather than solvent casting is required. CTA PLZ has a yield strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) and a tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) — stronger than 62% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 3.2 GPa (0.464 Msi). CTA PLZ has a density of 1.28 g/cm³ (0.0462 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 185°C (365 °F).
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of polymer grades
- Stiff — 3.2 GPa (0.464 Msi), better than 77% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Absorbs moisture — dry before molding — 2.5%, worse than 98% of polymer grades
CTA PLZ properties
Typical room-temperature values for CTA PLZ; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are CTA reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical7
CTA PLZ has a density of 1.28 g/cm³ (0.0462 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 185°C (365 °F).
Mechanical13
CTA PLZ has a yield strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) and a tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) — stronger than 62% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 3.2 GPa (0.464 Msi).
Thermal11
CTA PLZ is rated for continuous service to 75°C (167 °F). It conducts heat at 0.21 W/m·K (0.121 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 55% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 80 µm/m·K (44.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
CTA PLZ 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 & Environmental2
UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of CTA PLZ takes about 105 MJ of energy and emits 4.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 54% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 2%.
Manufacturability7
CTA PLZ's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 74% of polymer grades); weldability good (60/100); formability very good (70/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with CTA PLZ
Is CTA easy to machine?
Machines like acrylic with sharp positive-rake tools and air cooling; avoid water-soluble coolants (moisture pickup) and any chlorinated/ketone cutting fluids that will craze or dissolve the surface.
Can CTA be welded?
Not weldable by hot-gas in practice — join by solvent bonding (dichloromethane/acetone blends) or pressure-sensitive/acrylic adhesives after corona or saponification treatment.
Can CTA be formed, bent or molded?
Predominantly solvent cast from dichloromethane–methanol dope; melt processing needs plasticizer and a narrow 220–265 °C window with pre-drying to <0.05 % moisture, since the polymer degrades and yellows above ~280 °C.
What surface finishes work on CTA?
Takes high-gloss polish and vacuum-deposited hardcoats/AR stacks; alkaline saponification is used to make TAC film surfaces hydrophilic for PVA polarizer lamination — avoid strong alkali on load-bearing parts.
CTA 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 |
|---|---|---|
| cellulose triacetate (acetyl content)wt % combined acetic acid basis ≈ 60–62.5 %; degree of substitution 2.8–3.0 | 43 – 44.8 | 43.9 |
| plasticizer (triphenyl phosphate / diethfilm-base and moulding grades only; optical TAC film uses low or non-phthalate plasticizer | 0 – 15 | 10 |
| residual free acid / moisture | 0 – 1 | 0.3 |
| cellulose backbone (biobased, wood/cottobalance of the anhydroglucose repeat unit | balance | — |
CTA PLZ — frequently asked
What is CTA PLZ used for?
CTA PLZ is typically used for photographic/motion-picture film base, polarizer protective film, optical filters and textile fibers. In short: highest-clarity cellulosic; low-birefringence optical film; solvent-cast, not moulded.
What is the yield strength of CTA PLZ?
CTA PLZ has a typical yield strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) and a tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) — stronger than 62% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is CTA PLZ easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 74% of polymer grades). Machines like acrylic with sharp positive-rake tools and air cooling; avoid water-soluble coolants (moisture pickup) and any chlorinated/ketone cutting fluids that will craze or dissolve the surface.
Can CTA PLZ be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Not weldable by hot-gas in practice — join by solvent bonding (dichloromethane/acetone blends) or pressure-sensitive/acrylic adhesives after corona or saponification treatment.
What surface finishes work on CTA PLZ?
Takes high-gloss polish and vacuum-deposited hardcoats/AR stacks; alkaline saponification is used to make TAC film surfaces hydrophilic for PVA polarizer lamination — avoid strong alkali on load-bearing parts.
Can CTA PLZ be formed, bent or molded?
Predominantly solvent cast from dichloromethane–methanol dope; melt processing needs plasticizer and a narrow 220–265 °C window with pre-drying to <0.05 % moisture, since the polymer degrades and yellows above ~280 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of CTA PLZ?
CTA PLZ is rated for continuous use to about 75°C (167 °F), and briefly to 140°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics (cellulosics section) — ASM International (1988)
- Polymer Handbook, 4th ed. (cellulose ester thermal/optical data) — Wiley (1999)
- Cellulose ester product literature (cellulose acetate / triacetate flake) — Eastman Chemical (2022)
- ASTM D871 — Testing Cellulose Acetate (acetyl content, viscosity) — ASTM (2020)
- ISO 1875 / GB/T 1043, D638, D790, D256, D648 test methods referenced for typical values — ISO/ASTM/GB (2021)
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.