Comparison
rPA6 Natural vs PLA
A side-by-side comparison of Recycled Polyamide 6 Natural and Polylactic Acid.
Physical
Density
1.12-1.15 g/cm³
1.24 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
1.5-2.5 %
0.5 %
Transparency
Opaque
Semi-transparent
Shrinkage
1.0-1.8 %
0.3 – 0.5 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
2.0-3.0 GPa
3.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
50-75 MPa
50 – 65 MPa
Elongation at Break
50-150 %
6 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
40-70 J/m
16 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
80 MPa
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
50-70 °C
60 °C
Melting Point
215-225 °C
150 – 160 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
80-100 °C
45 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
50-70 °C (0.45 MPa)
55 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
3.8-4.2
3.0
Volume Resistivity
10^12-10^14 Ohm·cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
15-20 kV/mm
—
Chemical resistance
Acids
Good resistance to weak acids
Fair
Bases
Good resistance
Poor
Solvents
Attacked by strong acids and certain organic solvents
—
UV Resistance
Poor (requires UV stabilization)
Poor
Alcohols
—
Fair
Hydrolysis
—
Poor
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable (check local facilities)
Industrially compostable
Recycling Code
7 (Other)
7
Carbon Footprint
Lower than virgin PA6
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
100 %