Comparison
PHA Flexible Grade D vs PLA
A side-by-side comparison of Polyhydroxyalkanoate, Flexible Grade D and Polylactic Acid.
Physical
Density
1.20 g/cm³
1.24 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.8 %
0.5 %
Transparency
Moderate
Semi-transparent
Shrinkage
2.0 - 4.5 %
0.3 – 0.5 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
0.5 GPa
3.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
30 MPa
50 – 65 MPa
Elongation at Break
15.0 %
6 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
1.0 J/cm
16 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
80 MPa
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
-5 °C
60 °C
Melting Point
110-120 °C
150 – 160 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
40 °C
45 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
35 °C
55 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
3.0
3.0
Volume Resistivity
10¹¹ Ω·cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
15 kV/mm
—
Chemical resistance
Acids
Good resistance
Fair
Bases
Good resistance
Poor
Solvents
Resistant to aliphatic hydrocarbons, but attacked by chlorinated and aromatic hydrocarbons
—
UV Resistance
Moderate
Poor
Alcohols
—
Fair
Hydrolysis
—
Poor
Sustainability
Recyclability
Biodegradable (soil, marine, compost)
Industrially compostable
Recycling Code
7 (Other)
7
Carbon Footprint
Low
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
100 %