Comparison

PLA vs ABS

A side-by-side comparison of Polylactic Acid and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene.

Property

PLA

ABS

Physical

Density

1.24 g/cm³

1.04 – 1.07 g/cm³

Water Absorption (24h)

0.5 %

0.20 – 0.45 %

Transparency

Semi-transparent

Opaque

Shrinkage

0.3 – 0.5 %

0.4 – 0.9 %

Specific Gravity

—

1.05

Surface Finish

—

Matte to glossy

Mechanical

Young's Modulus

3.5 GPa

1.8 – 2.5 GPa

Tensile Strength

50 – 65 MPa

40 – 50 MPa

Flexural Strength

80 MPa

60 – 80 MPa

Impact Strength (Izod)

16 J/m

200 – 400 J/m

Elongation at Break

6 %

10 – 50 %

Hardness (Rockwell R)

—

100 – 115

Thermal

Glass Transition Temperature

60 °C

105 °C

Melting Point

150 – 160 °C

Amorphous (no true Tm)

Heat Deflection Temperature

55 °C

85 – 100 °C

Continuous Service Temperature

45 °C

70 – 90 °C

Thermal Conductivity

—

0.17 W/m·K

CTE

—

80 – 100 × 10⁻⁶ /K

Electrical

Dielectric Constant

3.0

2.7 – 3.2

Volume Resistivity

10¹⁴ Ω·cm

10¹⁶ Ω·cm

Surface Resistivity

—

10¹⁵ Ω

Dielectric Strength

—

15 – 20 kV/mm

Chemical resistance

Acids

Fair

—

Bases

Poor

Good

Alcohols

Fair

Good

UV Resistance

Poor

Poor (unless stabilized)

Hydrolysis

Poor

—

Acids (dilute)

—

Good

Oils & Greases

—

Fair

Gasoline

—

Poor

Acetone

—

Attacks / dissolves

Weathering

—

Poor without stabilizers

Sustainability

Recyclability

Industrially compostable

Recyclable (mechanical)

Recycling Code

7 (Other)

Bio-based Content

100 %

0 %

Carbon Footprint

~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg

~3.1 kg CO₂e / kg