Comparison
PA66 vs PLA
A side-by-side comparison of Polyamide 6,6 (Nylon) and Polylactic Acid.
Physical
Density
1.14 g/cm³
1.24 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
1.2 %
0.5 %
Transparency
Opaque
Semi-transparent
Shrinkage
1.5 – 2.0 %
0.3 – 0.5 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
3.0 GPa (dry)
3.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
80 MPa
50 – 65 MPa
Flexural Strength
110 MPa
80 MPa
Impact Strength (Izod)
50 J/m
16 J/m
Elongation at Break
60 %
6 %
Thermal
Melting Point
255 – 265 °C
150 – 160 °C
Glass Transition Temperature
70 °C
60 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
100 – 120 °C
45 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
75 °C (unfilled)
55 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
4.0
3.0
Volume Resistivity
10¹² Ω·cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Chemical resistance
Acids
Poor
Fair
Bases
Good
Poor
Alcohols
Good
Fair
Oils & Fuels
Excellent
—
UV Resistance
Fair
Poor
Hydrolysis
—
Poor
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable
Industrially compostable
Recycling Code
7
7
Bio-based Content
0 – 100 % (bio grades)
100 %
Carbon Footprint
~7.4 kg CO₂e / kg
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg