Comparison
Phenolic Resol Thermoset vs PLA
A side-by-side comparison of Phenolic Resol Resin and Polylactic Acid.
Physical
Density
1.20-1.35 g/cm³
1.24 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.8-2.5 %
0.5 %
Transparency
Opaque Brown to Black
Semi-transparent
Shrinkage
3-5 %
0.3 – 0.5 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
4-8 GPa
3.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
35-60 MPa
50 – 65 MPa
Elongation at Break
1-4 %
6 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
6-18 J/m
16 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
80 MPa
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
100-160 °C
60 °C
Melting Point
N/A
150 – 160 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
120-200 °C
45 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
80-150 °C
55 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
5.0-7.0
3.0
Volume Resistivity
10^9-10^12 Ohm-cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
8-18 kV/mm
—
Chemical resistance
Acids
Good resistance
Fair
Bases
Moderate resistance
Poor
Solvents
Resistant to common organic solvents
—
UV Resistance
Poor
Poor
Alcohols
—
Fair
Hydrolysis
—
Poor
Sustainability
Recyclability
Difficult
Industrially compostable
Recycling Code
N/A
7
Carbon Footprint
Moderate
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
100 %