Comparison

ABS vs PLA

A side-by-side comparison of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene and Polylactic Acid.

Property

ABS

PLA

Physical

Density

1.04 – 1.07 g/cm³

1.24 g/cm³

Specific Gravity

1.05

—

Water Absorption (24h)

0.20 – 0.45 %

0.5 %

Transparency

Opaque

Semi-transparent

Surface Finish

Matte to glossy

—

Shrinkage

0.4 – 0.9 %

0.3 – 0.5 %

Mechanical

Young's Modulus

1.8 – 2.5 GPa

3.5 GPa

Tensile Strength

40 – 50 MPa

50 – 65 MPa

Flexural Strength

60 – 80 MPa

80 MPa

Impact Strength (Izod)

200 – 400 J/m

16 J/m

Hardness (Rockwell R)

100 – 115

—

Elongation at Break

10 – 50 %

6 %

Thermal

Glass Transition Temperature

105 °C

60 °C

Melting Point

Amorphous (no true Tm)

150 – 160 °C

Continuous Service Temperature

70 – 90 °C

45 °C

Heat Deflection Temperature

85 – 100 °C

55 °C

Thermal Conductivity

0.17 W/m·K

—

CTE

80 – 100 × 10⁻⁶ /K

—

Electrical

Dielectric Constant

2.7 – 3.2

3.0

Surface Resistivity

10¹⁵ Ω

—

Volume Resistivity

10¹⁶ Ω·cm

10¹⁴ Ω·cm

Dielectric Strength

15 – 20 kV/mm

—

Chemical resistance

Acids (dilute)

Good

—

Bases

Good

Poor

Alcohols

Good

Fair

Oils & Greases

Fair

—

Gasoline

Poor

—

Acetone

Attacks / dissolves

—

UV Resistance

Poor (unless stabilized)

Poor

Weathering

Poor without stabilizers

—

Acids

—

Fair

Hydrolysis

—

Poor

Sustainability

Recyclability

Recyclable (mechanical)

Industrially compostable

Recycling Code

7 (Other)

Bio-based Content

0 %

100 %

Carbon Footprint

~3.1 kg CO₂e / kg

~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg