Comparison
Bio-PE Low Density vs PLA
A side-by-side comparison of Bio-based Polyethylene, Low Density and Polylactic Acid.
Physical
Density
0.918-0.935 g/cm³
1.24 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
< 0.01 %
0.5 %
Transparency
Translucent to opaque
Semi-transparent
Shrinkage
3.0 - 6.0 %
0.3 – 0.5 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
0.15-0.30 GPa
3.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
8-15 MPa
50 – 65 MPa
Elongation at Break
500-900 %
6 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
1.5-3.0 J/cm
16 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
80 MPa
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
-120 °C
60 °C
Melting Point
105-115 °C
150 – 160 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
50 °C
45 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
30 °C
55 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
2.3
3.0
Volume Resistivity
> 10¹⁵ Ω·cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
25 kV/mm
—
Chemical resistance
Acids
Excellent resistance
Fair
Bases
Excellent resistance
Poor
Solvents
Resistant to most organic solvents at room temperature
—
UV Resistance
Moderate (requires additive)
Poor
Alcohols
—
Fair
Hydrolysis
—
Poor
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable (same as fossil-based LDPE)
Industrially compostable
Recycling Code
4 (LDPE)
7
Carbon Footprint
Significantly lower due to renewable source
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
100 %