Comparison
PLA vs PEEK
A side-by-side comparison of Polylactic Acid and Polyether Ether Ketone.
Physical
Density
1.24 g/cm³
1.32 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.5 %
0.15 %
Transparency
Semi-transparent
Opaque (amber)
Shrinkage
0.3 – 0.5 %
1.1 – 1.4 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
3.5 GPa
3.6 GPa
Tensile Strength
50 – 65 MPa
100 MPa
Flexural Strength
80 MPa
170 MPa
Impact Strength (Izod)
16 J/m
55 J/m
Elongation at Break
6 %
50 %
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
60 °C
143 °C
Melting Point
150 – 160 °C
343 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
55 °C
160 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
45 °C
260 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
3.0
3.2
Volume Resistivity
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
10¹⁶ Ω·cm
Chemical resistance
Acids
Fair
Excellent
Bases
Poor
Excellent
Alcohols
Fair
—
UV Resistance
Poor
Fair
Hydrolysis
Poor
—
Solvents
—
Excellent
Hydrolysis (steam)
—
Excellent
Sustainability
Recyclability
Industrially compostable
Recyclable (specialty)
Recycling Code
7
7
Bio-based Content
100 %
—
Carbon Footprint
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg
~30 kg CO₂e / kg