For something to float, it must have a specific gravity less than water, which is 1. Polypropylene has a 0.90 to 0.91 specific gravity, and polyethylene has a 0.94 to 0.965. These are the only two plastic balls that will float.
Nylon has a specific gravity of 1.09 to 1.14. Teflon has a specific gravity of 2.13 to 2.22.
Acrylic has a specific gravity of 1.17 to 1.20.
Title: Which of the solid plastic balls float?
Description: How to know if your plastic will float or sink.
Published: 11/21/2007
Last Edited: 1/16/2023
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