Comparison
Cost-Effective Flexible Thermoplastic Polyolefin vs PLA
A side-by-side comparison of Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) and Polylactic Acid.
Physical
Density
0.86 - 0.95 g/cm³
1.24 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.1 - 0.5 %
0.5 %
Transparency
Opaque
Semi-transparent
Shrinkage
1.0 - 2.0 %
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 - 700 %
6 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
Good (especially at low temps)
16 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
80 MPa
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
-40 to -10 °C
60 °C
Melting Point
140 - 170 °C
150 – 160 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
-40 to 100 °C
45 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
20 - 50 °C
55 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
2.5 - 3.5
3.0
Volume Resistivity
10^14 - 10^16 Ohm-cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
20 - 30 kV/mm
—
Chemical resistance
Acids
Good
Fair
Bases
Good
Poor
Solvents
Good resistance to polar solvents, acids, and bases; Poor resistance to hydrocarbons
—
UV Resistance
Good (with additives)
Poor
Alcohols
—
Fair
Hydrolysis
—
Poor
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable (thermoplastic)
Industrially compostable
Recycling Code
7 (Other) or 5 (PP component)
7
Carbon Footprint
Moderate
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
100 %