CTA TAC
Grade
TAC = 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 %.
Values for the TAC 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 | — |
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 |
TACThis page 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 TAC?
CTA TAC is CTA in the TAC grade — choose for LCD polarizer protective film and optical compensation film where retardation must be near zero and haze <0.5 %. CTA TAC has a yield strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) — stronger than 84% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 4 GPa (0.58 Msi). CTA TAC has a density of 1.3 g/cm³ (0.047 lb/in³), heavier than 69% 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 — 4 GPa (0.58 Msi), better than 86% of polymer grades
- High strength — 75 MPa (10.9 ksi), better than 84% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Absorbs moisture — dry before molding — 3%, worse than 99% of polymer grades
CTA TAC properties
Typical room-temperature values for CTA TAC; 26 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 TAC has a density of 1.3 g/cm³ (0.047 lb/in³), heavier than 69% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 185°C (365 °F).
Mechanical13
CTA TAC has a yield strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) — stronger than 84% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 4 GPa (0.58 Msi).
Thermal11
CTA TAC is rated for continuous service to 80°C (176 °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 60 µm/m·K (33.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
CTA TAC 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 TAC 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 TAC's machinability is good (65/100, better than 66% of polymer grades); weldability poor (30/100); 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 TAC
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 TAC — frequently asked
What is CTA TAC used for?
CTA TAC 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 TAC?
CTA TAC has a typical yield strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) — stronger than 84% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is CTA TAC easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 66% 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 TAC be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). 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 TAC?
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 TAC 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 TAC?
CTA TAC is rated for continuous use to about 80°C (176 °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.