Comparison
PA6 Impact Modified vs PLA
A side-by-side comparison of Polyamide 6, Impact Modified and Polylactic Acid.
Physical
Density
1.12-1.15 g/cm³
1.24 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
1.5-2.5 %
0.5 %
Transparency
Opaque
Semi-transparent
Shrinkage
1.0-2.0 %
0.3 – 0.5 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
1.0-1.5 GPa
3.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
50-70 MPa
50 – 65 MPa
Elongation at Break
100-300 %
6 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
80-150 kJ/m
16 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
80 MPa
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
40-50 °C
60 °C
Melting Point
215-225 °C
150 – 160 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
80-100 °C
45 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
50-80 °C (1.8 MPa)
55 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
4.0-4.5
3.0
Volume Resistivity
10^10-10^12 Ohm-cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
15-20 kV/mm
—
Chemical resistance
Acids
Fair
Fair
Bases
Good
Poor
Solvents
Good
—
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 %