Comparison
HIPS/PPE Blend vs PLA
A side-by-side comparison of High Impact Polystyrene / Polyphenylene Ether Blend and Polylactic Acid.
Physical
Density
1.05-1.10 g/cm³
1.24 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.1-0.2 %
0.5 %
Transparency
Opaque
Semi-transparent
Shrinkage
0.4-0.7 %
0.3 – 0.5 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
1.8-2.5 GPa
3.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
40-55 MPa
50 – 65 MPa
Elongation at Break
30-60 %
6 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
40-70 kJ/m
16 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
80 MPa
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
80-100 °C
60 °C
Melting Point
N/A (amorphous)
150 – 160 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
60-80 °C
45 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
70-90 °C (1.8 MPa)
55 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
2.6-3.0
3.0
Volume Resistivity
10^14-10^16 Ohm-cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
18-22 kV/mm
—
Chemical resistance
Acids
Good
Fair
Bases
Good
Poor
Solvents
Fair
—
UV Resistance
Poor
Poor
Alcohols
—
Fair
Hydrolysis
—
Poor
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable
Industrially compostable
Recycling Code
7 (Other)
7
Carbon Footprint
Moderate
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
100 %