PTT IM
Grade
also Sorona, Corterra
IM = impact-modified (toughened) PTT
Elastomer-toughened compound for snap-fits, sporting goods and cold-impact parts where ductility beats stiffness.
Values for the IM condition
Other PTT grades and fills
PTT is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at PTT.
Compare all 9 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IMThis page Impact-modified (toughened) PTT | Elastomer-toughened compound for snap-fits, sporting goods and cold-impact parts where ductility beats stiffness. | 40 | 44 | 150 | 68 Shore D |
Flame-retardant, unfilled | Halogen-containing or halogen-free FR compound for electrical enclosures needing V-0 at 1.5 mm. | 50 | 52 | 8 | 79 Shore D |
Mineral (talc) filled, 20–30 % | Choose when low warpage, isotropic shrinkage and a smooth painted surface matter more than peak strength. | 52 | 52 | 4 | 82 Shore D |
Heat-stabilized | Antioxidant-boosted compound for long-term thermal ageing (e.g. 1000 h+ at 120–140 °C) in automotive electrical parts. | 57 | 60 | 20 | 78 Shore D |
UNFDefault Unfilled / Natural injection-molding resin | General-purpose PTT for tough, glossy, dimensionally stable parts where service temperature stays below ~90 °C. | — | 62 | 25 | — |
15 % glass-fiber reinforced | Entry-level stiffening with much higher heat distortion temperature while keeping reasonable toughness and surface appearance. | — | 100 | 3.5 | — |
GF30 + flame retardant | Structural FR grade for connectors, relay bases and breaker parts requiring V-0 plus high HDT. | — | 120 | 2 | 88 Shore D |
30 % glass-fiber reinforced | Workhorse structural grade: HDT above 200 °C, high stiffness and low shrinkage for connectors, housings and under-hood parts. | — | 138 | 2.5 | — |
45 % glass-fiber reinforced | Maximum stiffness/creep resistance PTT for metal-replacement brackets and load-bearing electrical parts. | — | 165 | 2 | — |
What is PTT IM?
PTT IM is PTT in the IM grade — elastomer-toughened compound for snap-fits, sporting goods and cold-impact parts where ductility beats stiffness. PTT IM has a yield strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 44 MPa (6.38 ksi) — weaker than 63% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 150% and the elastic modulus is 1.9 GPa (0.276 Msi). PTT IM has a density of 1.28 g/cm³ (0.0462 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 50°C (122 °F). UNF is the default condition FabDigit quotes; IM is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 3 kg CO₂/kg, better than 83% of polymer grades
PTT IM properties
Typical room-temperature values for PTT IM; 28 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PTT reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical6
PTT IM has a density of 1.28 g/cm³ (0.0462 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 50°C (122 °F).
Mechanical16
PTT IM has a yield strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 44 MPa (6.38 ksi) — weaker than 63% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 150% and the elastic modulus is 1.9 GPa (0.276 Msi).
Thermal11
PTT IM is rated for continuous service to 85°C (185 °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 80 µm/m·K (44.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PTT IM is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 22 kV/mm (558.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (76/100), worse than 64% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PTT IM takes about 70 MJ of energy and emits 3 kg of CO₂ — less than 93% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
PTT IM's machinability is good (58/100, worse than 55% of polymer grades); weldability good (60/100); formability good (55/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PTT IM
Is PTT easy to machine?
Machines like PBT/PET — sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, low feed and air cooling; glass-filled grades are abrasive and need carbide or PCD.
Can PTT be welded?
Joins well by ultrasonic, vibration, hot-plate and laser welding; solvent bonding is poor, so use epoxy or cyanoacrylate for adhesive joints.
Can PTT be formed, bent or molded?
Dry to <0.02 % moisture (120–130 °C, 3–4 h) before molding; melt 240–265 °C, mold 40–90 °C (higher for filled grades), fast crystallization gives short cycles and low warpage.
What surface finishes work on PTT?
Takes high-gloss mold finishes and disperse dyes readily; paint/print after flame or plasma treatment, and avoid hot alkaline cleaning which hydrolyzes the surface.
PTT 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,3-propanediol (PDO)diol residue in repeat unit; bio-PDO from corn sugar in Sorona | 34 – 39 | 37 |
| Ti/Sn polycondensation catalysttitanate or tin catalyst residue | 0 – 0.02 | 0.01 |
| heat/UV stabilizer packagegrade dependent | 0 – 1 | 0.3 |
| glass fiber0 for the default unfilled grade; 15/30/45 % in reinforced variants | 0 – 45 | 0 |
| terephthalic acid (PTA/DMT) residuediacid residue, ~63 wt% of repeat unit C11H10O4 | balance | — |
PTT IM — frequently asked
What is PTT IM used for?
PTT IM is typically used for carpet and textile fiber, apparel fabric with stretch recovery, engineering resin for connectors and automotive interior trim fiber. In short: elastic-recovery polyester; between PET and PBT; fast cycles, low warpage.
What is the yield strength of PTT IM?
PTT IM has a typical yield strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 44 MPa (6.38 ksi) — weaker than 63% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is PTT IM easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, worse than 55% of polymer grades). Machines like PBT/PET — sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, low feed and air cooling; glass-filled grades are abrasive and need carbide or PCD.
Can PTT IM be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Joins well by ultrasonic, vibration, hot-plate and laser welding; solvent bonding is poor, so use epoxy or cyanoacrylate for adhesive joints.
What surface finishes work on PTT IM?
Takes high-gloss mold finishes and disperse dyes readily; paint/print after flame or plasma treatment, and avoid hot alkaline cleaning which hydrolyzes the surface.
Can PTT IM be formed, bent or molded?
Dry to <0.02 % moisture (120–130 °C, 3–4 h) before molding; melt 240–265 °C, mold 40–90 °C (higher for filled grades), fast crystallization gives short cycles and low warpage.
What is the maximum service temperature of PTT IM?
PTT IM is rated for continuous use to about 85°C (185 °F), and briefly to 140°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between PTT UNF and PTT HS?
UNF is the default condition — general-purpose PTT for tough, glossy, dimensionally stable parts where service temperature stays below ~90 °C. HS: antioxidant-boosted compound for long-term thermal ageing (e.g. 1000 h+ at 120–140 °C) in automotive electrical parts. Yield strength is 40 MPa in UNF versus 57 MPa in HS.
Sources
- Sorona EP thermoplastic polymer product & processing guides — DuPont / Covation Biomaterials (2022)
- Corterra PTT polymer technical bulletins — Shell Chemicals / Zhejiang PTT producers (2005)
- Handbook of Thermoplastic Polyesters (PTT chapters) — Wiley-VCH (S. Fakirov, ed.) (2002)
- CAMPUS / UL Prospector polyester (PTT) datasheets — CWFG / UL Solutions (2024)
- ISO 527 / ISO 178 / ISO 75 / ASTM D256 test methods for thermoplastics — ISO / ASTM (2019)
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.