Polymer
PP-T20
Properties, grades, machining, finishes and uses — values shown for the T20 condition.
PP-T20 is a polypropylene (homopolymer or copolymer) compound filled with 20% talc mineral powder, covered by the PP-T group in ASTM D4101 and as PP+T20 in GB/T 15568.
Reference datasheet — PP-T20 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
What is PP-T20?
PP-T20 is a polypropylene (homopolymer or copolymer) compound filled with 20% talc mineral powder, covered by the PP-T group in ASTM D4101 and as PP+T20 in GB/T 15568. Talc raises stiffness, heat deflection temperature and dimensional stability at lower cost than glass-fiber grades, which is why it dominates injection-molded automotive interior and appliance parts; default values are 1.05 g/cm3 density, 30 MPa tensile strength and 12% elongation. Limits are reduced elongation and impact versus unfilled PP, a low-energy surface that needs flame or plasma treatment before paint, and no solvent bonding. Fill levels from T10 to T40 are on file; PP-GF is the alternative when more stiffness or HDT is required. PP-T20 has a density of 1.05 g/cm³ (0.0379 lb/in³), lighter than 69% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -10°C (14 °F). PP-T20 has a yield strength of 29 MPa (4.21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) — weaker than 75% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 2.4 GPa (0.348 Msi).
What is PP-T20 used for?
- Automotive door panels and instrument panels
- Washing machine and dryer housings
- HVAC ducting
- Battery boxes
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 98% of polymer grades
- Readily welded — 80/100, better than 84% of polymer grades
- Low moisture uptake — 0.05%, better than 84% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.27 W/m·K (0.156 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 77% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 25/100, worse than 76% of polymer grades
- Low strength — 29 MPa (4.21 ksi), worse than 75% of polymer grades
PP-T20 properties
Typical room-temperature values for PP-T20-T20 (use as the default balance of stiffness, heat resistance, impact and cost for automotive interior and appliance structural parts; 30 mpa tensile at 1.05 g/cm³ with 12% elongation), compiled from standards, handbooks and producer data. Each bar shows where the value sits among the polymer grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher. Other conditions have their own pages: see tempers.
Physical5
PP-T20 has a density of 1.05 g/cm³ (0.0379 lb/in³), lighter than 69% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -10°C (14 °F).
Mechanical12
PP-T20 has a yield strength of 29 MPa (4.21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) — weaker than 75% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 2.4 GPa (0.348 Msi).
Thermal11
PP-T20 is rated for continuous service to 105°C (221 °F). It conducts heat at 0.27 W/m·K (0.156 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 77% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 80 µm/m·K (44.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PP-T20 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 24 kV/mm (609.6 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (85/100), better than 63% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PP-T20 takes about 72 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 93% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 10%.
Manufacturability8
PP-T20's machinability is good (62/100, better than 59% of polymer grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability good (55/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
PP-T20 grades and fills
PP-T20 is supplied in 10 conditions, each with its own property set. Open one for its full datasheet. T20 is what FabDigit quotes unless the drawing says otherwise.
- T20DefaultUse as the default balance of stiffness, heat resistance, impact and cost for automotive interior and appliance structural parts; 30 MPa tensile at 1.05 g/cm³ with 12% elongation.30 MPa tensile
- T30Choose for high rigidity (3.2 GPa), 110 °C service and low warpage in large parts such as instrument-panel carriers, air ducts and appliance bases, at the cost of ductility (7%).32 MPa tensile
- T40Use the highest talc loading for maximum stiffness (4.2 GPa), 115 °C service and low shrinkage in sound-deadening mass parts and engine covers; toughness and melt flow drop noticeably.31 MPa tensile
- T10Pick the light talc loading when impact strength, appearance and low density (0.97 g/cm³) matter more than rigidity; modulus is only 1.8 GPa but elongation reaches 30% and service 100 °C.27 MPa tensile
- T20-FRUse when an appliance or electrical housing must meet UL 94 V-0 or V-2; the flame retardant lowers impact and flow to 26 MPa tensile, and phosphorus–nitrogen systems are cleaner than brominated.26 MPa tensile
- T20-IMPick for bumpers and door panels needing -30 °C falling-ball impact, where EPDM/POE toughening lifts elongation to 120% but cuts modulus to 1.6 GPa and tensile to 21 MPa.21 MPa tensile
4 further conditions are listed below with a summary only.
| Condition | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T20Default 20 wt% talc filled (default) | Use as the default balance of stiffness, heat resistance, impact and cost for automotive interior and appliance structural parts; 30 MPa tensile at 1.05 g/cm³ with 12% elongation. | — | 30 | 12 | — | — |
10 wt% talc filled | Pick the light talc loading when impact strength, appearance and low density (0.97 g/cm³) matter more than rigidity; modulus is only 1.8 GPa but elongation reaches 30% and service 100 °C. | — | 27 | 30 | — | — |
30 wt% talc filled | Choose for high rigidity (3.2 GPa), 110 °C service and low warpage in large parts such as instrument-panel carriers, air ducts and appliance bases, at the cost of ductility (7%). | — | 32 | 7 | 100 HRR | 0.31 W/m·K |
40 wt% talc filled | Use the highest talc loading for maximum stiffness (4.2 GPa), 115 °C service and low shrinkage in sound-deadening mass parts and engine covers; toughness and melt flow drop noticeably. | — | 31 | 4 | — | 0.35 W/m·K |
impact-modified talc PP (EPDM/POE toughened copolymer) | Pick for bumpers and door panels needing -30 °C falling-ball impact, where EPDM/POE toughening lifts elongation to 120% but cuts modulus to 1.6 GPa and tensile to 21 MPa. | — | 21 | 120 | 62 Shore D | — |
UV / heat stabilized weatherable grade | Choose for outdoor or sun-exposed parts such as upper IP surfaces, exterior trim and garden tools, where HALS, UV absorbers and carbon black are added; 29 MPa tensile, 110 °C service. | — | 29 | — | — | — |
flame retardant, UL 94 V-0 | Use when an appliance or electrical housing must meet UL 94 V-0 or V-2; the flame retardant lowers impact and flow to 26 MPa tensile, and phosphorus–nitrogen systems are cleaner than brominated. | — | 26 | 8 | — | — |
low-gloss / scratch-resistant automotive interior grade | Pick for unpainted grained interior trim: slip and scratch-resistant additives plus a low-VOC system meet OEM scratch and odour requirements, with tensile strength held at 28 MPa. | — | 28 | — | — | — |
high flow thin-wall injection grade (MFR 30–60) | Choose for thin-wall, long flow-path parts such as air ducts and large interior panels, where MFR 30–60 eases filling and shortens cycle time at the cost of some impact strength. | — | 30 | — | — | — |
recycled (PCR/PIR) talc-filled PP compound | Use for cost-sensitive, non-appearance structural parts: a talc-filled compound based mainly on recycled PP at 26 MPa tensile; qualify property scatter and odour before release. | — | 26 | 8 | — | — |
Working with PP-T20
Is PP-T20 easy to machine?
Mills, drills and saws easily, but the soft matrix throws burrs, so use sharp large positive-rake tools with high spindle speed and low feed. Talc is mildly abrasive; carbide cutting edges are recommended.
Can PP-T20 be welded?
Hot-plate, ultrasonic, vibration friction and hot-gas extrusion welding all apply, with filler reducing weld strength to roughly 70–90% of the parent material. Solvent bonding is not possible; flame- or plasma-treat surfaces before adhesive bonding.
Can PP-T20 be formed, bent or molded?
Injection molding is the primary route: melt 200–250 °C, mold 25–70 °C, with adequate back pressure to disperse the talc. Drying is not essential but damp pellets should be dried 2 h at 80 °C; keep wall thickness uniform to control about 1% shrinkage and warp. Sheet can also be extruded and thermoformed.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. PP-T20 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
PP-T20 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 |
|---|---|---|
| talc (hydrated magnesium silicate fillerfine talc, median particle size typically 1-5 um | 18 – 22 | 20 |
| antioxidant / heat stabilizer packagehindered phenol + phosphite | 0.1 – 0.5 | 0.3 |
| coupling agent / dispersant (PP-g-MAH, s | 0 – 1 | 0.4 |
| pigment / carbon blackcoloring plus partial weathering protection | 0 – 2 | 0.5 |
| polypropylene (homo/impact copolymer)matrix resin; impact grades contain approx. 5-15% EPR phase | ≥ 78 (balance) | — |
What surface finishes work on PP-T20?
Surface energy is low, so flame, corona or plasma treatment plus an adhesion-promoting primer is required before spray painting or printing. Common practice is in-mould grain for paint-free surfaces; plating does not apply.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to PP-T20 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- PP-T (ASTM D4101 group)
- GB (China)
- PP+T20 (GB/T 15568)
- Also called
- PP+
How much does PP-T20 cost?
PP-T20 is a budget-cost polymer ($), cheaper than about 91% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
PP-T20 — frequently asked
What is PP-T20 used for?
PP-T20 is typically used for automotive door panels and instrument panels, washing machine and dryer housings, HVAC ducting and battery boxes. In short: low-cost PP stiffening route; cheaper than PP-GF; automotive interior workhorse.
What is the yield strength of PP-T20?
PP-T20 has a typical yield strength of 29 MPa (4.21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) — weaker than 75% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is PP-T20 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 59% of polymer grades). Mills, drills and saws easily, but the soft matrix throws burrs, so use sharp large positive-rake tools with high spindle speed and low feed. Talc is mildly abrasive; carbide cutting edges are recommended.
Can PP-T20 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Hot-plate, ultrasonic, vibration friction and hot-gas extrusion welding all apply, with filler reducing weld strength to roughly 70–90% of the parent material. Solvent bonding is not possible; flame- or plasma-treat surfaces before adhesive bonding.
What surface finishes work on PP-T20?
Surface energy is low, so flame, corona or plasma treatment plus an adhesion-promoting primer is required before spray painting or printing. Common practice is in-mould grain for paint-free surfaces; plating does not apply.
Can PP-T20 be formed, bent or molded?
Injection molding is the primary route: melt 200–250 °C, mold 25–70 °C, with adequate back pressure to disperse the talc. Drying is not essential but damp pellets should be dried 2 h at 80 °C; keep wall thickness uniform to control about 1% shrinkage and warp. Sheet can also be extruded and thermoformed.
What is the maximum service temperature of PP-T20?
PP-T20 is rated for continuous use to about 105°C (221 °F), and briefly to 140°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does PP-T20 cost?
PP-T20 is a budget-cost polymer ($), cheaper than about 91% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ASTM D4101 Standard Classification for Polypropylene Injection and Extrusion Materials — ASTM International (2023)
- ISO 19069-2 Plastics — Polypropylene (PP) moulding and extrusion materials, Part 2 — ISO (2016)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- CAMPUS plastics database — talc-filled PP compounds (ISO 10350 datasets) — CAMPUS / CWFG (2024)
- Talc-filled PP compound datasheets (LyondellBasell Hostacom, Borealis Daplen, SABIC STAMAX/PP, PP) (2024)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.