🥼organic chemistry review

Glass transition temperature (Tg)

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

Glass transition temperature (Tg) is the temperature at which a polymer changes from a hard and relatively brittle "glassy" state into a soft and pliable "rubbery" state. It is a critical thermal property that indicates the temperature range over which polymers undergo significant changes in mechanical properties.