Comparison
PA11 Flexible vs PLA
A side-by-side comparison of Polyamide 11 Flexible and Polylactic Acid.
Physical
Density
1.03-1.05 g/cm³
1.24 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.5-1.0 %
0.5 %
Transparency
Opaque
Semi-transparent
Shrinkage
1.5-2.5 %
0.3 – 0.5 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
0.8-1.3 GPa
3.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
45-55 MPa
50 – 65 MPa
Elongation at Break
300-450 %
6 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
60-120 kJ/m
16 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
80 MPa
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
30-40 °C
60 °C
Melting Point
180-190 °C
150 – 160 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
70-90 °C
45 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
30-50 °C (1.8 MPa)
55 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
3.2-3.8
3.0
Volume Resistivity
10^11-10^13 Ohm-cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
18-25 kV/mm
—
Chemical resistance
Acids
Fair
Fair
Bases
Good
Poor
Solvents
Good (oils, greases, fuels)
—
UV Resistance
Good
Poor
Alcohols
—
Fair
Hydrolysis
—
Poor
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable
Industrially compostable
Recycling Code
7 (Other)
7
Carbon Footprint
Lower than petroleum-based PA
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
100 %