Comparison
Cellulose Acetate Film Grade K vs PLA
A side-by-side comparison of Cellulose Acetate, Film Grade K and Polylactic Acid.
Physical
Density
1.30 g/cm³
1.24 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
2.0 %
0.5 %
Transparency
Excellent
Semi-transparent
Shrinkage
1.0 - 2.0 %
0.3 – 0.5 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
2.5 GPa
3.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
40 MPa
50 – 65 MPa
Elongation at Break
15.0 %
6 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
0.5 J/cm
16 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
80 MPa
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
100-120 °C
60 °C
Melting Point
None (degrades)
150 – 160 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
60 °C
45 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
60 °C
55 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
3.5
3.0
Volume Resistivity
10¹⁰ Ω·cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
15 kV/mm
—
Chemical resistance
Acids
Poor resistance
Fair
Bases
Poor resistance
Poor
Solvents
Soluble in esters, ketones, and chlorinated hydrocarbons
—
UV Resistance
Moderate
Poor
Alcohols
—
Fair
Hydrolysis
—
Poor
Sustainability
Recyclability
Biodegradable (compost, requires specific conditions)
Industrially compostable
Recycling Code
7 (Other)
7
Carbon Footprint
Moderate
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
100 %