Comparison
Rigid Unsaturated Polyester vs PLA
A side-by-side comparison of Unsaturated Polyester Resin and Polylactic Acid.
Physical
Density
1.10-1.30 g/cm³
1.24 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.2-0.8 %
0.5 %
Transparency
Clear to Opaque
Semi-transparent
Shrinkage
4-8 %
0.3 – 0.5 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
2.0-3.5 GPa
3.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
40-70 MPa
50 – 65 MPa
Elongation at Break
1-3 %
6 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
8-20 J/m
16 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
80 MPa
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
50-100 °C
60 °C
Melting Point
N/A
150 – 160 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
60-120 °C
45 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
50-90 °C
55 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
4.0-5.5
3.0
Volume Resistivity
10^12-10^14 Ohm-cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
15-25 kV/mm
—
Chemical resistance
Acids
Moderate resistance
Fair
Bases
Poor resistance
Poor
Solvents
Resistant to hydrocarbons and esters
—
UV Resistance
Poor without additives
Poor
Alcohols
—
Fair
Hydrolysis
—
Poor
Sustainability
Recyclability
Difficult
Industrially compostable
Recycling Code
N/A
7
Carbon Footprint
Moderate
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
100 %