Comparison
EPS Packaging vs PLA
A side-by-side comparison of Expanded Polystyrene for Packaging and Polylactic Acid.
Physical
Density
0.015-0.06 g/cm³ (foam)
1.24 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
<1 %
0.5 %
Transparency
Opaque
Semi-transparent
Shrinkage
N/A (foam)
0.3 – 0.5 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
Highly variable (foam)
3.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
Highly variable (foam)
50 – 65 MPa
Elongation at Break
Highly variable (foam)
6 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
Excellent cushioning
16 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
80 MPa
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
90-100 °C (solid PS)
60 °C
Melting Point
N/A (amorphous)
150 – 160 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
70-80 °C
45 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
N/A (foam)
55 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
Around 1.1 (foam)
3.0
Volume Resistivity
>10¹³ Ω⋅cm (foam)
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
High (foam)
—
Chemical resistance
Acids
Good resistance
Fair
Bases
Good resistance
Poor
Solvents
Attacked by aromatic hydrocarbons, esters, ketones
—
UV Resistance
Poor
Poor
Alcohols
—
Fair
Hydrolysis
—
Poor
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable (challenging collection)
Industrially compostable
Recycling Code
6 (PS)
7
Carbon Footprint
Moderate
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
100 %