RPET IM
Grade
IM = impact-modified rPET compound
Elastomer/chain-extender modified recycled PET where notched impact and melt strength of straight rPET are insufficient.
Values for the IM condition
Other RPET grades and fills
RPET is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at RPET.
Compare all 6 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IMThis page Impact-modified rPET compound | Elastomer/chain-extender modified recycled PET where notched impact and melt strength of straight rPET are insufficient. | 42 | 45 | 150 | 75 Shore D |
PCR hot-washed bottle flake (clear) | Cheapest input form — washed, sorted bottle flake fed directly to extrusion or fibre lines with in-line drying/degassing. | 48 | 50 | 40 | 81 Shore D |
Post-industrial recycled rPET | Cleaner, more consistent single-source scrap for non-food packaging, sheet cores and engineering compounds. | 55 | 58 | 80 | 82 Shore D |
Strapping / high-IV extrusion grade | High-IV SSP recycled resin for oriented PET strapping, monofilament and sheet needing high melt strength. | 58 | 62 | 100 | 83 Shore D |
Flame-retardant rPET compound | For electrical/electronic parts requiring V-0 at 0.8–1.5 mm together with a recycled-content claim. | — | 115 | 2 | 88 Shore D |
30% glass-fibre reinforced, heat-stabilized rPET compound | Use where recycled content must be combined with structural stiffness and >200 °C HDT (electrical housings, brackets). | — | 130 | 2.5 | — |
What is RPET IM?
RPET IM is RPET in the IM grade — elastomer/chain-extender modified recycled PET where notched impact and melt strength of straight rPET are insufficient. RPET IM has a yield strength of 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) and a tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) — weaker than 62% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 150% and the elastic modulus is 2.1 GPa (0.305 Msi). RPET IM has a density of 1.33 g/cm³ (0.048 lb/in³), heavier than 73% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 78°C (172 °F).
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 6.5 MPa·√m (5.92 ksi·√in), better than 100% of polymer grades
- Low embodied carbon — 1.5 kg CO₂/kg, better than 99% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 60°C (140 °F), worse than 87% of polymer grades
RPET IM properties
Typical room-temperature values for RPET IM; 27 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are RPET reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical7
RPET IM has a density of 1.33 g/cm³ (0.048 lb/in³), heavier than 73% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 78°C (172 °F).
Mechanical17
RPET IM has a yield strength of 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) and a tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) — weaker than 62% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 150% and the elastic modulus is 2.1 GPa (0.305 Msi).
Thermal11
RPET IM is rated for continuous service to 60°C (140 °F). It conducts heat at 0.19 W/m·K (0.11 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 68% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 70 µm/m·K (38.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical6
RPET IM is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 20 kV/mm (508 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), worse than 70% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of RPET IM takes about 35 MJ of energy and emits 1.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 99% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 100%.
Manufacturability8
RPET IM's machinability is good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades); weldability good (68/100); formability very good (72/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with RPET IM
Is RPET easy to machine?
Machines like virgin PET — sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, low feed and air cooling; stress-relieve or anneal thick stock to avoid crazing, and expect chip stringing.
Can RPET be welded?
Ultrasonic, hot-plate, vibration and RF/heat sealing all work well; solvent bonding is poor, so use cyanoacrylate/epoxy or mechanical joints for structural bonds.
Can RPET be formed, bent or molded?
Dry to <50 ppm moisture at 160–170 °C for 4–6 h (IV loss is otherwise irreversible); melt 260–290 °C, cold mould (10–30 °C) for clear amorphous parts or 130–140 °C for crystallized parts; chain extenders help restore melt strength for extrusion and foaming.
What surface finishes work on RPET?
Takes print, corona/flame treatment, metallization and hot stamping; not paintable without primer, and surface haze/gel specks from contaminants limit optical-grade finishes.
RPET 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 |
|---|---|---|
| residual moisture (as received, pre-dryiMust be dried to <0.005% (50 ppm) before melt processing | 0.05 – 0.6 | 0.3 |
| colorant / dye carry-overGreen/blue bottle carry-over; limits clarity of the flake stream | 0 – 1 | 0.2 |
| PVC, PE, PP, PA and adhesive contaminantSpec limits for food-grade streams typically <50 ppm PVC | 0 – 0.1 | 0.01 |
| catalyst residues (Sb, Ti, Ge) and stabiAntimony trioxide is the usual PET polycondensation catalyst | 0.01 – 0.05 | 0.03 |
| glass fiber0 in the default unfilled grade; 15–40% in reinforced rPET compounds | ≈ 0 | 0 |
| polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from reRepeat unit C10H8O4; typical IV 0.60–0.85 dl/g depending on grade | ≥ 95 (balance) | — |
RPET IM — frequently asked
What is RPET IM used for?
RPET IM is typically used for recycled fiber/textiles, food & beverage bottles, sheet/film and strapping. In short: recycled-content PET; lower, variable IV; bottle-to-bottle food grade.
What is the yield strength of RPET IM?
RPET IM has a typical yield strength of 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) and a tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) — weaker than 62% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is RPET IM easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades). Machines like virgin PET — sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, low feed and air cooling; stress-relieve or anneal thick stock to avoid crazing, and expect chip stringing.
Can RPET IM be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (68/100). Ultrasonic, hot-plate, vibration and RF/heat sealing all work well; solvent bonding is poor, so use cyanoacrylate/epoxy or mechanical joints for structural bonds.
What surface finishes work on RPET IM?
Takes print, corona/flame treatment, metallization and hot stamping; not paintable without primer, and surface haze/gel specks from contaminants limit optical-grade finishes.
Can RPET IM be formed, bent or molded?
Dry to <50 ppm moisture at 160–170 °C for 4–6 h (IV loss is otherwise irreversible); melt 260–290 °C, cold mould (10–30 °C) for clear amorphous parts or 130–140 °C for crystallized parts; chain extenders help restore melt strength for extrusion and foaming.
What is the maximum service temperature of RPET IM?
RPET IM is rated for continuous use to about 60°C (140 °F), and briefly to 110°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ASTM D7611 / D1972 — Resin identification and recycled plastics practice — ASTM (2021)
- EN 15348 — Plastics — Recycled plastics — Characterisation of PET recyclates — CEN (2014)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2 — Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- CAMPUS polymer datasheets — PET / rPET compounds — CWFG / CAMPUS consortium (2024)
- Food-grade rPET resin and rAPET sheet datasheets (bottle-to-bottle SSP grades) — Various recyclers/compounders (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.