Comparison
Impact Modified PBT vs PLA
A side-by-side comparison of Polybutylene Terephthalate, Impact Modified and Polylactic Acid.
Physical
Density
1.30-1.35 g/cm³
1.24 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.1-0.2 %
0.5 %
Transparency
Opaque
Semi-transparent
Shrinkage
0.7-1.2 %
0.3 – 0.5 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
2.0-2.5 GPa
3.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
45-60 MPa
50 – 65 MPa
Elongation at Break
30-70 %
6 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
30-60 kJ/m
16 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
80 MPa
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
20-50 °C
60 °C
Melting Point
220-230 °C
150 – 160 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
90-110 °C
45 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
50-80 °C (1.8 MPa)
55 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
3.0-3.4
3.0
Volume Resistivity
10^12-10^14 Ohm-cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
18-25 kV/mm
—
Chemical resistance
Acids
Good
Fair
Bases
Fair
Poor
Solvents
Excellent
—
UV Resistance
Fair
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 %