Comparison
CAB Injection Molding Grade L vs PLA
A side-by-side comparison of Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Injection Molding Grade L and Polylactic Acid.
Physical
Density
1.20 g/cm³
1.24 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
1.0 %
0.5 %
Transparency
Good
Semi-transparent
Shrinkage
0.8 - 1.8 %
0.3 – 0.5 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
1.8 GPa
3.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
35 MPa
50 – 65 MPa
Elongation at Break
20.0 %
6 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
1.0 J/cm
16 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
80 MPa
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
80-100 °C
60 °C
Melting Point
None (degrades)
150 – 160 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
50 °C
45 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
50 °C
55 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
3.3
3.0
Volume Resistivity
10¹¹ Ω·cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
16 kV/mm
—
Chemical resistance
Acids
Poor resistance
Fair
Bases
Poor resistance
Poor
Solvents
Soluble in esters, ketones, and chlorinated hydrocarbons
—
UV Resistance
Good
Poor
Alcohols
—
Fair
Hydrolysis
—
Poor
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable (often downcycled)
Industrially compostable
Recycling Code
7 (Other)
7
Carbon Footprint
Moderate
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
100 %