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Plastic PLA vs. Plastic Polycarbonate

Compare Plastic PLA vs. Plastic Polycarbonate strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic PLA3D printed (FDM)
Plastic PolycarbonateBulk polymer (molded or machined)
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Mechanical
Yield strength52.5MPasourcetypical65MPasourcetypical, tensile yield
Ultimate tensile strength52.5MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)65MPasourcetypical, stress at break
Flexural strength96.8MPasourcetypical97MPasourcetypical, flexural strength
Elongation at break7.8%sourcetypical125%sourcetypical, strain at break
Young's modulus (stiffness)3.25GPasourcetypical35% stiffer2.4GPasourcetypical
Density1,240kg/m³sourcetypical1,200kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight42.3kN·m/kg54.2kN·m/kg28% higher
Stiffness to weight2.62MN·m/kg31% higher2MN·m/kg
Poisson's rationot sourced0.38sourcetypical, polycarbonate family (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)
Shear modulusnot sourced0.87GPa
Bulk modulusnot sourced3.33GPa
Speed of sound1,619m/s1,414m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity0.13W/m·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C0.2W/m·Ksourcetypical, through-plane, 23 C
Thermal expansionnot sourced65µm/m·Ksourcetypical, 23-55 C, parallel and normal
100 mm part over a 50 °C swingnot sourced325µm growth
Specific heat1,200J/kg·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C1,172J/kg·Ksourcetypical (guide value), Bayer ASTM datasheet for Makrolon 2405, ASTM D 2766
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)0.0874mm²/s0.142mm²/s1.63x faster
Thermal shock resistancenot sourced51.7W/m
Melting point152°Csourcetypicalnot sourced
Glass transition59.1°Csourcetypical144°Csourcetypical, DSC 10 C/min
Max service temperature58.8°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)125°CsourceUL 746B RTI, tensile strength, 1.5 mm
Values forUltimaker PLA, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat) orientation; Ultimaker S5 Pro, engineering intent profile, 0.15 mm layer height, AA 0.4 print core, 100% infill, Cura 4.9, printed one-at-a-time, conditioned >=24 h at room temperature. TDS dated April 20, 2022.Covestro Makrolon 2405 general-purpose PC (MVR 19), Covestro technical datasheet version 2026-09-28, typical values

Every value links to the document that states it. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.

Plastic PLA is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is Plastic PLA stronger than Plastic Polycarbonate?

Plastic Polycarbonate is stronger: its yield strength is 65 MPa against 52.5 MPa for Plastic PLA (24%).

Which is lighter, Plastic PLA or Plastic Polycarbonate?

Plastic Polycarbonate is lighter: 1,200 kg/m³ against 1,240 kg/m³ for Plastic PLA.

Which is stiffer, Plastic PLA or Plastic Polycarbonate?

Plastic PLA is stiffer: Young's modulus 3.25 GPa against 2.4 GPa for Plastic Polycarbonate, so the same part in Plastic PLA deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic PLA or Plastic Polycarbonate?

For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic PLA is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate; Plastic Polycarbonate is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must bePlastic PLAPlastic Polycarbonate
Stiff rod or tie (tension)lighter31% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)lighter13% heavier
Stiff panel or platelighter7% heavier
Strong rod or tie28% heavierlighter
Strong beam19% heavierlighter
Strong panel or plate15% heavierlighter

For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).

Which conducts heat better, Plastic PLA or Plastic Polycarbonate?

Plastic Polycarbonate conducts heat better: 0.2 W/m·K against 0.13 W/m·K for Plastic PLA.

Among 59 materials

1k10k0.1110100Density (kg/m³)Young's modulus (GPa)Plastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless 304Stainless 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless 303Stainless 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin Tough 2000SLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelPlastic PLAPlastic Polycarbonate
Stiffness against density
1k10k101001kDensity (kg/m³)Yield strength (MPa)Plastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonRubberAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless 304Stainless 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless 303Stainless 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic PTFEPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin Tough 2000SLA Resin Elastic 50ASLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelBrickPlastic PLAPlastic Polycarbonate
Strength against density

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