Poly(lactic acid), or PLA, is a thermoplastic polymer derived from renewable resources such as corn starch or sugarcane, making it a bio-based alternative to petroleum-derived plastics. It combines moderate stiffness with good processability, and is notable for its biodegradability in industrial composting environments—a significant advantage over conventional polymers when end-of-life environmental impact is a design constraint. PLA is widely used in consumer packaging, textiles, and durable goods where moderate temperature performance suffices, and is increasingly adopted in medical devices and 3D printing applications where both biocompatibility and material sustainability are priorities.
Compliance & Regulations
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Compressive Strength(σc) | 2.750 | MPa | — | ||
Elongation at Break(εf) | 34.26 | - | — | ||
Flexural Strength (MOR)(σf) | 112.0 | MPa | — | ||
Ultimate Tensile Strength(σUTS) | 58.69 | MPa | — | ||
Young's Modulus(E) | 2.720 | GPa | — |
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Glass Transition Temperature(Tg) | 331.9 | K | — | ||
Melting Point / Solidus(Tm) | 436.5 | K | — | ||
Maximum Service Temperature(Tmax) | 556.9 | K | — | ||
Thermal Conductivity(k) | 1.490 | W/(m·K) | — |