Comparison
rTPU Flexible Black vs PLA
A side-by-side comparison of Recycled Thermoplastic Polyurethane Flexible Black and Polylactic Acid.
Physical
Density
1.10-1.30 g/cm³
1.24 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.5-1.5 %
0.5 %
Transparency
Opaque (typically black)
Semi-transparent
Shrinkage
0.5-1.5 %
0.3 – 0.5 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
0.02-0.10 GPa
3.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
30-60 MPa
50 – 65 MPa
Elongation at Break
300-600 %
6 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
N/A (flexible grade)
16 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
80 MPa
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
-30 to -10 °C
60 °C
Melting Point
N/A (elastomeric)
150 – 160 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
70-90 °C
45 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
N/A
55 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
4.0-5.0
3.0
Volume Resistivity
10^10-10^12 Ohm·cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
10-20 kV/mm
—
Chemical resistance
Acids
Good resistance
Fair
Bases
Good resistance
Poor
Solvents
Resistance varies, attacked by strong polar solvents
—
UV Resistance
Fair (can degrade over time)
Poor
Alcohols
—
Fair
Hydrolysis
—
Poor
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable (check local facilities)
Industrially compostable
Recycling Code
7 (Other)
7
Carbon Footprint
Lower than virgin TPU
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
100 %