Properties of Polylactic Acid (PLA)
Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable and bioactive thermoplastic polymer made from renewable resources, primarily derived from corn starch or sugarcane. It is commonly used in various applications, including 3D printing, packaging, disposable tableware, and medical implants.
The following table provides a comprehensive list of polylactic acid (PLA) properties in both SI and US customary/Imperial units at normal temperature and pressure (NTP).
Click on the icon to switch between Metric and Imperial units.
| Physical Properties | Metric |
|---|---|
| Category | Thermoplastic |
| Density | 1250 kg/m3 |
| Mechanical Properties | Metric |
| Ultimate Tensile Strength | 48 - 145 MPa |
| Flexural Modulus | 3.7 - 3.8 GPa |
| Elongation at Break | 2.5 - 100% |
| Thermal Properties | Metric |
| Melting Point | 150 - 160 °C |
| Glass Transition Temperature (Tg) | 60 - 65 °C |
Unless stated otherwise, all values are taken at room temperature (approximately 20°C or 68°F) and 1 atm pressure. (1 atm = 101,325 Pa)
Related Pages
References: 1) Cardarelli, François. Materials Handbook: A Concise Desktop Reference. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2018. 2) CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 97th Edition. United Kingdom: CRC Press, 2016-2017. 3) A.M. Howatson, P.G. Lun, J.D. Todd, P.D. Engineering Tables and Data. United Kingdom: University of Oxford, Department of Engineering Science, 2009.