Comparison

PLA Silk Filament vs ABS

A side-by-side comparison of Polylactic Acid Silk Filament and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene.

Property

PLA Silk Filament

ABS

Physical

Density

1.24 g/cm³

1.04 – 1.07 g/cm³

Water Absorption (24h)

0.5-1.0 %

0.20 – 0.45 %

Transparency

Opaque (with high sheen)

Opaque

Shrinkage

Low (0.2-0.5%)

0.4 – 0.9 %

Specific Gravity

—

1.05

Surface Finish

—

Matte to glossy

Mechanical

Young's Modulus

2.8-3.3 GPa

1.8 – 2.5 GPa

Tensile Strength

48-58 MPa

40 – 50 MPa

Elongation at Break

3-4 %

10 – 50 %

Impact Strength (Izod)

2-3 kJ/m²

200 – 400 J/m

Flexural Strength

—

60 – 80 MPa

Hardness (Rockwell R)

—

100 – 115

Thermal

Glass Transition Temperature

58-63 °C

105 °C

Melting Point

150-168 °C

Amorphous (no true Tm)

Continuous Service Temperature

38-48 °C

70 – 90 °C

Heat Deflection Temperature

48-53 °C @ 0.45 MPa

85 – 100 °C

Thermal Conductivity

—

0.17 W/m·K

CTE

—

80 – 100 × 10⁻⁶ /K

Electrical

Dielectric Constant

3.0-3.4

2.7 – 3.2

Volume Resistivity

10¹²-10¹³ Ω·cm

10¹⁶ Ω·cm

Dielectric Strength

14-19 MV/m

15 – 20 kV/mm

Surface Resistivity

—

10¹⁵ Ω

Chemical resistance

Acids

Resistant to weak acids

—

Bases

Attacked by strong bases

Good

Solvents

Attacked by esters, ketones, and chlorinated hydrocarbons

—

UV Resistance

Poor

Poor (unless stabilized)

Acids (dilute)

—

Good

Alcohols

—

Good

Oils & Greases

—

Fair

Gasoline

—

Poor

Acetone

—

Attacks / dissolves

Weathering

—

Poor without stabilizers

Sustainability

Recyclability

Mechanically Recyclable (limited

Recyclable (mechanical)

Recycling Code

7 (Other)

Carbon Footprint

Moderate

~3.1 kg CO₂e / kg

Bio-based Content

—

0 %