Polylactide (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.
Compliance & Regulations
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Compressive Strength(σc) | 37.96 | MPa | — | ||
Elongation at Break(εf) | 68.05 | - | — | ||
Flexural Strength (MOR)(σf) | 238.0 | MPa | — | ||
Ultimate Tensile Strength(σUTS) | 44.28 | MPa | — | ||
Young's Modulus(E) | 3.017 | GPa | — |
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Glass Transition Temperature(Tg) | 330.9 | K | — | ||
Melting Point / Solidus(Tm) | 447.7 | K | — | ||
Maximum Service Temperature(Tmax) | 606 | K | — | ||
Thermal Conductivity(k) | 0.1900 | W/(m·K) | — |
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Band Gap(Eg) | 3.370 | eV | — |
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Refractive Index(n) | 1.460 | - | — |