Comparison
rPET Fiber Colored vs PLA
A side-by-side comparison of Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate Fiber Grade Colored and Polylactic Acid.
Physical
Density
1.38-1.40 g/cm³
1.24 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.1-0.3 %
0.5 %
Transparency
Opaque (due to colorant)
Semi-transparent
Shrinkage
1.5-2.5 %
0.3 – 0.5 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
2.5-3.5 GPa
3.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
45-65 MPa
50 – 65 MPa
Elongation at Break
20-50 %
6 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
N/A (fiber application)
16 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
80 MPa
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
70-80 °C
60 °C
Melting Point
250-260 °C
150 – 160 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
70-80 °C
45 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
50-60 °C (0.45 MPa)
55 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
3.0-3.2
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 dilute acids
Fair
Bases
Poor resistance to strong bases
Poor
Solvents
Resistant to most organic solvents
—
UV Resistance
Moderate
Poor
Alcohols
—
Fair
Hydrolysis
—
Poor
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable (as PET)
Industrially compostable
Recycling Code
1 (PET)
7
Carbon Footprint
Significantly lower than virgin polyester fiber
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
100 %