Comparison
PLA vs PETG
A side-by-side comparison of Polylactic Acid and Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol.
Physical
Density
1.24 g/cm³
1.27 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.5 %
0.13 %
Transparency
Semi-transparent
Transparent
Shrinkage
0.3 – 0.5 %
0.2 – 0.5 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
3.5 GPa
2.1 GPa
Tensile Strength
50 – 65 MPa
50 MPa
Flexural Strength
80 MPa
70 MPa
Impact Strength (Izod)
16 J/m
100 J/m
Elongation at Break
6 %
120 %
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
60 °C
80 °C
Melting Point
150 – 160 °C
—
Heat Deflection Temperature
55 °C
70 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
45 °C
65 °C
CTE
—
68 × 10⁻⁶ /K
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
3.0
3.3
Volume Resistivity
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Chemical resistance
Acids
Fair
Good
Bases
Poor
Fair
Alcohols
Fair
Good
UV Resistance
Poor
Fair
Hydrolysis
Poor
—
Oils
—
Good
Sustainability
Recyclability
Industrially compostable
Recyclable
Recycling Code
7
1
Bio-based Content
100 %
0 %
Carbon Footprint
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg
~2.7 kg CO₂e / kg