Kydex® is a thermoplastic acrylic-polyvinyl chloride material. It has a wide variety of applications, including for firearm holsters and sheaths for knives.

MechanicalASTM Test MethodValueUnits
Strength to Weight Ratio--ksi
Specific Gravity @73 FD7921.35-
Tensile Strength @73 F, (ult)/(yld)D6386,100psi
Tensile Modulus of Elasticity @73 FD638-psi
Tensile Elongation at Break @73 FD638160%
Flexural Strength @73 FD7909,300psi
Flexural Modulus of Elasticity @73 FD790335,000psi
Shear Strength @73 FD732-psi
Comprehensive Strength, (% Deformation) @73 FD695-psi
Comprehensive Modulus of Elasticity @73 FD695-psi
Hardness, Rockwell, Scale as noted @73 FD785R-94-
Hardness, Durometer, Shore D @73 FD2240--
Izod Impact, (Notched) @73 FD256 Type A18 (953)ft-lb/in of notch
Coefficient of Friction, (Dry vs Steel) Dynamic---
Limiting PV, (with 4 to 1 factor of safety applied)--psi-ft/min
ThermalASTM Test MethodValueUnits
Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion @73 FE-831 (TMA)-in/in/F
Heat Deflection Temperature @264 psiD648173F
Tg-Glass transition termperature, (Amorphous)D3418-F
Melting Point, (VS=Vicat Softening Temp.)D3418-F
Continuous Service Temperature in Air, (Max.)--F
Thermal Conductivity--BTU-in/hr-ft2-F
ElectricASTM Test MethodValueUnits
Dielectric Strength, Short TermD149-Volts/mil
Volume ResistivityD257-ohm-cm
Dielectric Constant @10E6 HzD150--
Dissipation Factor @10E6 HzD150--
Flammability @3.1 mm unless notedUL9494V-0-
H2OASTM Test MethodValueUnits
Water Absorption, Immersion, 24 hoursD570(7)-% by weight
Water Absorption, SaturationD570(7)-% by weight