Comparison
PEI Standard vs PLA
A side-by-side comparison of Polyetherimide Standard and Polylactic Acid.
Physical
Density
1.27-1.29 g/cm³
1.24 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.2-0.4 %
0.5 %
Transparency
Amber (transparent)
Semi-transparent
Shrinkage
0.5-0.7 %
0.3 – 0.5 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
3.0-3.5 GPa
3.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
70-90 MPa
50 – 65 MPa
Elongation at Break
30-60 %
6 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
10-15 kJ/m
16 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
80 MPa
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
210-217 °C
60 °C
Melting Point
N/A (amorphous)
150 – 160 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
160-170 °C
45 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
190-205 °C (1.8 MPa)
55 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
3.1-3.8
3.0
Volume Resistivity
10^14-10^16 Ohm-cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
15-20 kV/mm
—
Chemical resistance
Acids
Good
Fair
Bases
Fair
Poor
Solvents
Good (alcohols, oils, weak acids)
—
UV Resistance
Good
Poor
Alcohols
—
Fair
Hydrolysis
—
Poor
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable (difficult)
Industrially compostable
Recycling Code
7 (Other)
7
Carbon Footprint
High
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
100 %