Comparison
PLA Eco Grade A vs PETG
A side-by-side comparison of Polylactic Acid, Eco Grade A and Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol.
Physical
Density
1.24 g/cm³
1.27 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.3 %
0.13 %
Transparency
High
Transparent
Shrinkage
2.0 - 5.0 %
0.2 – 0.5 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
3.5 GPa
2.1 GPa
Tensile Strength
55 MPa
50 MPa
Elongation at Break
3.0 %
120 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
0.2 J/cm
100 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
70 MPa
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
55-60 °C
80 °C
Melting Point
150-170 °C
—
Continuous Service Temperature
50 °C
65 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
50 °C
70 °C
CTE
—
68 × 10⁻⁶ /K
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
3.2
3.3
Volume Resistivity
10¹² Ω·cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
20 kV/mm
—
Chemical resistance
Acids
Poor resistance
Good
Bases
Poor resistance
Fair
Solvents
Resistant to oils and greases, but swells in chlorinated hydrocarbons
—
UV Resistance
Poor
Fair
Alcohols
—
Good
Oils
—
Good
Sustainability
Recyclability
Compostable (industrial)
Recyclable
Recycling Code
7 (Other)
1
Carbon Footprint
Lower than fossil-based plastics
~2.7 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
0 %