Comparison
SLS PP Powder vs PLA
A side-by-side comparison of Polypropylene Powder for Selective Laser Sintering and Polylactic Acid.
Physical
Density
0.90-0.92 g/cm³
1.24 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
<0.1 %
0.5 %
Transparency
Opaque
Semi-transparent
Shrinkage
Moderate (1.0-2.0%)
0.3 – 0.5 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
0.8-1.2 GPa
3.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
25-35 MPa
50 – 65 MPa
Elongation at Break
15-25 %
6 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
High (notched)
16 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
80 MPa
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
-10 to 0 °C
60 °C
Melting Point
160-170 °C
150 – 160 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
60-70 °C
45 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
40-50 °C @ 0.45 MPa
55 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
2.2-2.3
3.0
Volume Resistivity
10¹⁵-10¹⁷ Ω·cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
20-25 MV/m
—
Chemical resistance
Acids
Excellent resistance
Fair
Bases
Excellent resistance
Poor
Solvents
Resistant to most organic solvents. Attacked by strong oxidizing agents.
—
UV Resistance
Poor (requires additives)
Poor
Alcohols
—
Fair
Hydrolysis
—
Poor
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable (within SLS/MJF process)
Industrially compostable
Recycling Code
5 (PP)
7
Carbon Footprint
Moderate
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
100 %