Comparison
PLA Injection Grade X vs Polycarbonate
A side-by-side comparison of Polylactic Acid, Injection Grade X and Polycarbonate.
Physical
Density
1.24 g/cm³
1.20 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.3 %
0.15 %
Transparency
High
Transparent (88% light transmission)
Shrinkage
1.5 - 3.5 %
0.5 – 0.8 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
3.4 GPa
2.3 – 2.4 GPa
Tensile Strength
54 MPa
60 – 70 MPa
Elongation at Break
3.5 %
100 – 150 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
0.22 J/cm
600 – 900 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
90 – 100 MPa
Hardness (Rockwell M)
—
70
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
55-58 °C
147 °C
Melting Point
150-165 °C
—
Continuous Service Temperature
50 °C
115 – 130 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
50 °C
130 – 140 °C
Thermal Conductivity
—
0.20 W/m·K
CTE
—
65 – 70 × 10⁻⁶ /K
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
3.2
2.9 – 3.0
Volume Resistivity
10¹² Ω·cm
10¹⁶ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
20 kV/mm
15 kV/mm
Chemical resistance
Acids
Poor resistance
—
Bases
Poor resistance
Poor
Solvents
Resistant to oils and greases, but swells in chlorinated hydrocarbons
—
UV Resistance
Poor
Poor (unless coated)
Acids (dilute)
—
Good
Alcohols
—
Fair
Oils
—
Good
Gasoline
—
Fair
Acetone
—
Poor (attacks)
Sustainability
Recyclability
Compostable (industrial)
Recyclable
Recycling Code
7 (Other)
7
Carbon Footprint
Lower than fossil-based plastics
~5 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
0 – 50 % (bio grades)