Comparison

Chitosan Film vs ABS

A side-by-side comparison of Chitosan, Film Grade T and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene.

Property

Chitosan Film

ABS

Physical

Density

1.40-1.50 g/cm³

1.04 – 1.07 g/cm³

Water Absorption (24h)

5.0-10.0 %

0.20 – 0.45 %

Transparency

Good

Opaque

Shrinkage

3.0-6.0 %

0.4 – 0.9 %

Specific Gravity

—

1.05

Surface Finish

—

Matte to glossy

Mechanical

Young's Modulus

1.0-2.0 GPa

1.8 – 2.5 GPa

Tensile Strength

30-50 MPa

40 – 50 MPa

Elongation at Break

5.0 %

10 – 50 %

Impact Strength (Izod)

0.2 J/cm

200 – 400 J/m

Flexural Strength

—

60 – 80 MPa

Hardness (Rockwell R)

—

100 – 115

Thermal

Glass Transition Temperature

80-120 °C

105 °C

Melting Point

None (degrades)

Amorphous (no true Tm)

Continuous Service Temperature

60 °C

70 – 90 °C

Heat Deflection Temperature

50 °C

85 – 100 °C

Thermal Conductivity

—

0.17 W/m·K

CTE

—

80 – 100 × 10⁻⁶ /K

Electrical

Dielectric Constant

5.0

2.7 – 3.2

Volume Resistivity

10¹⁰ Ω·cm

10¹⁶ Ω·cm

Dielectric Strength

15 kV/mm

15 – 20 kV/mm

Surface Resistivity

—

10¹⁵ Ω

Chemical resistance

Acids

Soluble in dilute acids

—

Bases

Good resistance

Good

Solvents

Insoluble in water and most organic solvents, but soluble in dilute acidic solutions and certain solvent mixtures

—

UV Resistance

Poor

Poor (unless stabilized)

Acids (dilute)

—

Good

Alcohols

—

Good

Oils & Greases

—

Fair

Gasoline

—

Poor

Acetone

—

Attacks / dissolves

Weathering

—

Poor without stabilizers

Sustainability

Recyclability

Biodegradable (compost)

Recyclable (mechanical)

Recycling Code

7 (Other)

Carbon Footprint

Low (utilizes waste streams)

~3.1 kg CO₂e / kg

Bio-based Content

—

0 %