Comparison
PLA vs Polycarbonate
A side-by-side comparison of Polylactic Acid and Polycarbonate.
Physical
Density
1.24 g/cm³
1.20 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.5 %
0.15 %
Transparency
Semi-transparent
Transparent (88% light transmission)
Shrinkage
0.3 – 0.5 %
0.5 – 0.8 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
3.5 GPa
2.3 – 2.4 GPa
Tensile Strength
50 – 65 MPa
60 – 70 MPa
Flexural Strength
80 MPa
90 – 100 MPa
Impact Strength (Izod)
16 J/m
600 – 900 J/m
Elongation at Break
6 %
100 – 150 %
Hardness (Rockwell M)
—
70
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
60 °C
147 °C
Melting Point
150 – 160 °C
—
Heat Deflection Temperature
55 °C
130 – 140 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
45 °C
115 – 130 °C
Thermal Conductivity
—
0.20 W/m·K
CTE
—
65 – 70 × 10⁻⁶ /K
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
3.0
2.9 – 3.0
Volume Resistivity
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
10¹⁶ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
—
15 kV/mm
Chemical resistance
Acids
Fair
—
Bases
Poor
Poor
Alcohols
Fair
Fair
UV Resistance
Poor
Poor (unless coated)
Hydrolysis
Poor
—
Acids (dilute)
—
Good
Oils
—
Good
Gasoline
—
Fair
Acetone
—
Poor (attacks)
Sustainability
Recyclability
Industrially compostable
Recyclable
Recycling Code
7
7
Bio-based Content
100 %
0 – 50 % (bio grades)
Carbon Footprint
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg
~5 kg CO₂e / kg