Comparison
Styrenic Block Copolymer Commodity vs PLA
A side-by-side comparison of Styrenic Block Copolymers for Commodity Applications and Polylactic Acid.
Physical
Density
0.90-1.00 g/cm³
1.24 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
<0.1 %
0.5 %
Transparency
Translucent to opaque
Semi-transparent
Shrinkage
1-3 %
0.3 – 0.5 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
0.01-0.05 GPa
3.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
5-15 MPa
50 – 65 MPa
Elongation at Break
300-800 %
6 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
No break (at room temp)
16 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
80 MPa
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
-60 to -40 °C
60 °C
Melting Point
N/A (softens)
150 – 160 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
50-70 °C
45 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
N/A
55 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
2.5-3.0
3.0
Volume Resistivity
10¹³-10¹⁵ Ω⋅cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
15-25 kV/mm
—
Chemical resistance
Acids
Good resistance
Fair
Bases
Good resistance
Poor
Solvents
Excellent resistance to polar solvents; softened by aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons
—
UV Resistance
Poor (requires stabilization)
Poor
Alcohols
—
Fair
Hydrolysis
—
Poor
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable (often compounded)
Industrially compostable
Recycling Code
7 (Other) or depends on base polymer
7
Carbon Footprint
Moderate
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
100 %