Comparison
Casein Bioplastic vs PLA
A side-by-side comparison of Casein, Bioplastic Grade U and Polylactic Acid.
Physical
Density
1.30-1.40 g/cm³
1.24 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
3.0-6.0 %
0.5 %
Transparency
Opaque
Semi-transparent
Shrinkage
2.0 - 4.0 %
0.3 – 0.5 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
2.0-3.0 GPa
3.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
25-40 MPa
50 – 65 MPa
Elongation at Break
3.0 %
6 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
0.1 J/cm
16 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
80 MPa
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
70-90 °C
60 °C
Melting Point
None (degrades)
150 – 160 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
50 °C
45 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
45 °C
55 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
5.5
3.0
Volume Resistivity
10⁸ Ω·cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
10 kV/mm
—
Chemical resistance
Acids
Sensitive
Fair
Bases
Sensitive
Poor
Solvents
Insoluble in water, but sensitive to moisture; soluble in alkaline solutions
—
UV Resistance
Poor
Poor
Alcohols
—
Fair
Hydrolysis
—
Poor
Sustainability
Recyclability
Biodegradable (compost)
Industrially compostable
Recycling Code
7 (Other)
7
Carbon Footprint
Low (utilizes dairy byproduct)
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
100 %