The temperature at which plastic melts depends on the type of plastic. Some plastics become soft when heated, while others become liquid. The optimal melt and mold temperature ranges of various plastic materials are shown in the table below:
| MATERIAL | MELT TEMPERATURE RANGE (℃) | MOULD TEMPERATURE RANGE (℃) |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | 190-270 | 40-80 |
| ABS/PC ALLOY | 245-265 | 40-80 |
| ACETAL | 180-210 | 50-120 |
| ACRYLIC | 220-250 | 50-80 |
| PVC P | 170-190 | 20-40 |
| PVC U | 160-210 | 20-60 |
| SAN | 200-260 | 50-85 |
| SAN (30% GF) | 250-270 | 50-70 |
| TPE | 260-320 | 40-70 |
While the melting points of different types of plastic vary widely, most of them are comfortably above the maximum temperature of liquid water under normal conditions, or 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit) . For example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has a melting point of 255 degrees Celsius (491 degrees Fahrenheit) . However, some polyvinyl chloride plastics (PVC) melt at as low as 75 degrees Celsius (167 degrees Fahrenheit) .
