Comparison
Hydrolysis Resistant Thermoplastic Polyurethane for Medical Applications vs PLA
A side-by-side comparison of Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) - Hydrolysis Resistant Grade for Medical and Polylactic Acid.
Physical
Density
1.15 - 1.20 g/cm³
1.24 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.6 - 1.0 %
0.5 %
Transparency
Clear to Translucent
Semi-transparent
Shrinkage
0.6 - 1.4 %
0.3 – 0.5 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
0.01 - 0.08 GPa
3.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
20 - 40 MPa
50 – 65 MPa
Elongation at Break
500 - 750 %
6 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
Good (especially notched)
16 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
80 MPa
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
-40 to -30 °C
60 °C
Melting Point
150 - 170 °C
150 – 160 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
-40 to 80 °C
45 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
40 - 60 °C
55 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
5.2 - 6.2
3.0
Volume Resistivity
10^11 - 10^13 Ohm-cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
16 - 24 kV/mm
—
Chemical resistance
Acids
Good
Fair
Bases
Good
Poor
Solvents
Resists oils, greases; swells in strong acids, ketones
—
UV Resistance
Fair
Poor
Alcohols
—
Fair
Hydrolysis
—
Poor
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable (thermoplastic)
Industrially compostable
Recycling Code
7 (Other)
7
Carbon Footprint
Moderate
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
100 %