Comparison

Polycarbonate vs PLA

A side-by-side comparison of Polycarbonate and Polylactic Acid.

Property

Polycarbonate

PLA

Physical

Density

1.20 g/cm³

1.24 g/cm³

Water Absorption (24h)

0.15 %

0.5 %

Transparency

Transparent (88% light transmission)

Semi-transparent

Shrinkage

0.5 – 0.8 %

0.3 – 0.5 %

Mechanical

Young's Modulus

2.3 – 2.4 GPa

3.5 GPa

Tensile Strength

60 – 70 MPa

50 – 65 MPa

Flexural Strength

90 – 100 MPa

80 MPa

Impact Strength (Izod)

600 – 900 J/m

16 J/m

Hardness (Rockwell M)

—

Elongation at Break

100 – 150 %

6 %

Thermal

Glass Transition Temperature

147 °C

60 °C

Continuous Service Temperature

115 – 130 °C

45 °C

Heat Deflection Temperature

130 – 140 °C

55 °C

Thermal Conductivity

0.20 W/m·K

—

CTE

65 – 70 × 10⁻⁶ /K

—

Melting Point

—

150 – 160 °C

Electrical

Dielectric Constant

2.9 – 3.0

3.0

Volume Resistivity

10¹⁶ Ω·cm

10¹⁴ Ω·cm

Dielectric Strength

15 kV/mm

—

Chemical resistance

Acids (dilute)

Good

—

Bases

Poor

Alcohols

Fair

Oils

Good

—

Gasoline

Fair

—

Acetone

Poor (attacks)

—

UV Resistance

Poor (unless coated)

Poor

Acids

—

Fair

Hydrolysis

—

Poor

Sustainability

Recyclability

Recyclable

Industrially compostable

Recycling Code

Bio-based Content

0 – 50 % (bio grades)

100 %

Carbon Footprint

~5 kg CO₂e / kg

~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg