polylactide
polymerPolylactide (PLA) is a thermoplastic polyester derived from renewable resources such as corn starch or sugarcane, making it a bio-based alternative to petroleum-dependent polymers. It is widely used in packaging, textiles, automotive components, and medical devices where biodegradability and sustainable sourcing are priorities. Engineers select PLA for applications requiring moderate stiffness and strength with lower environmental impact, though its temperature and moisture sensitivity compared to conventional plastics necessitate careful design consideration in demanding thermal or humid environments.
food and beverage packaging3D printing and rapid prototypingbiodegradable medical devicestextile fibers and filamentsinjection-molded consumer goodscompostable film and sheet applications
Compliance & Regulations
?UL 94?Conflict Free?RoHS?REACH?TSCA?Prop 65
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Compressive Strength(σc) | — | ksi | — | — | |
Elongation at Break(εf) | — | - | — | — | |
Flexural Strength (MOR)(σf) | — | ksi | — | — | |
Ultimate Tensile Strength(σUTS) | — | ksi | — | — | |
Young's Modulus(E) | — | ksi | — | — |
Verified Unverified Low confidence (<80%) Link to source
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Glass Transition Temperature(Tg) | — | °F | — | — | |
Melting Point / Solidus(Tm) | — | °F | — | — | |
Maximum Service Temperature(Tmax) | — | °F | — | — | |
Thermal Conductivity(k) | — | BTU/(hr·ft·°F) | — | — |
Verified Unverified Low confidence (<80%) Link to source
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Band Gap(Eg) | — | eV | — | — |
Verified Unverified Low confidence (<80%) Link to source
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Refractive Index(n) | — | - | — | — |
Verified Unverified Low confidence (<80%) Link to source
Regulatory Screening
Environmental
Safety & Biocompatibility
RoHS, REACH, and Prop 65 statuses are validated against official substance lists (ECHA SVHC Candidate List, OEHHA Prop 65, RoHS Annex II). Other regulations are estimated from composition and material classification. All screening is a starting point for due diligence — always verify with your supplier before making compliance decisions.