Comparison
Ionomer Surlyn Packaging vs PLA
A side-by-side comparison of Ionomer (Surlyn) for High-Performance Packaging and Polylactic Acid.
Physical
Density
0.935-0.950 g/cm³
1.24 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
<0.5 %
0.5 %
Transparency
Good to Excellent
Semi-transparent
Shrinkage
2-4 %
0.3 – 0.5 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
0.2-0.5 GPa
3.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
20-35 MPa
50 – 65 MPa
Elongation at Break
300-600 %
6 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
Excellent
16 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
80 MPa
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
-80 to -60 °C
60 °C
Melting Point
90-105 °C
150 – 160 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
50-60 °C
45 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
30-40 °C
55 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
2.3-2.5
3.0
Volume Resistivity
>10¹⁴ Ω⋅cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
20-30 kV/mm
—
Chemical resistance
Acids
Good resistance
Fair
Bases
Good resistance
Poor
Solvents
Good resistance at room temp, swells in hot aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons
—
UV Resistance
Poor (requires stabilization)
Poor
Alcohols
—
Fair
Hydrolysis
—
Poor
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable (often as part of multilayer)
Industrially compostable
Recycling Code
4 (PE-LD or PE-LLD)
7
Carbon Footprint
Moderate
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
100 %