Comparison
Chitosan Film vs PLA
A side-by-side comparison of Chitosan, Film Grade T and Polylactic Acid.
Physical
Density
1.40-1.50 g/cm³
1.24 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
5.0-10.0 %
0.5 %
Transparency
Good
Semi-transparent
Shrinkage
3.0-6.0 %
0.3 – 0.5 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
1.0-2.0 GPa
3.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
30-50 MPa
50 – 65 MPa
Elongation at Break
5.0 %
6 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
0.2 J/cm
16 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
80 MPa
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
80-120 °C
60 °C
Melting Point
None (degrades)
150 – 160 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
60 °C
45 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
50 °C
55 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
5.0
3.0
Volume Resistivity
10¹⁰ Ω·cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
15 kV/mm
—
Chemical resistance
Acids
Soluble in dilute acids
Fair
Bases
Good resistance
Poor
Solvents
Insoluble in water and most organic solvents, but soluble in dilute acidic solutions and certain solvent mixtures
—
UV Resistance
Poor
Poor
Alcohols
—
Fair
Hydrolysis
—
Poor
Sustainability
Recyclability
Biodegradable (compost)
Industrially compostable
Recycling Code
7 (Other)
7
Carbon Footprint
Low (utilizes waste streams)
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
100 %