Comparison
PDLLA High Molecular Weight vs PLA
A side-by-side comparison of Poly(D,L-lactic acid), High Molecular Weight Grade W and Polylactic Acid.
Physical
Density
1.26 g/cm³
1.24 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.6 %
0.5 %
Transparency
High (amorphous)
Semi-transparent
Shrinkage
3.5 - 6.5 %
0.3 – 0.5 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
2.5 GPa
3.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
50 MPa
50 – 65 MPa
Elongation at Break
4.0 %
6 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
0.2 J/cm
16 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
80 MPa
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
48-52 °C
60 °C
Melting Point
None (amorphous)
150 – 160 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
0 °C
45 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
42 °C
55 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
3.1
3.0
Volume Resistivity
10¹³ Ω·cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
19 kV/mm
—
Chemical resistance
Acids
Poor resistance
Fair
Bases
Poor resistance
Poor
Solvents
Swells in many organic solvents, particularly esters and ketones
—
UV Resistance
Poor
Poor
Alcohols
—
Fair
Hydrolysis
—
Poor
Sustainability
Recyclability
Compostable (industrial), implantable (biocompatible)
Industrially compostable
Recycling Code
7 (Other)
7
Carbon Footprint
Lower than fossil-based plastics
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
100 %