PDLA vs PLLA
Polymer · grade comparison
PDLA and PLLA are both polymer grades. Both yield at about 58 MPa — strength does not separate them. PLLA is stiffer (3.5 GPa vs 3.3 GPa) and PLLA runs hotter in service (55°C vs 50°C continuous). On the shop floor, PLLA welds better (very good vs good), PLLA forms better (good vs fair), and PLLA sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than PDLA (high, $$$$).
PLLAChoose it when the part sees heat, or when it will be welded.
PDLA vs PLLA: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Rockwell R
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.36 · Elongation at Break 4% · Hardness, Shore D 83 Shore D
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Temperature (Tm)
Glass Transition (Tg)
Refractive Index
Light Transmission
Same in both: Water Absorption (24 h) 0.4% · Water Absorption (Saturation) 1%
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 0.16 W/m·K0.09 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 20%
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Strength
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in · Dielectric Constant (1 MHz) 3 · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm · Surface Resistivity 1×10¹⁶ Ω
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
UV / Weathering Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Melt Flow Rate
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Same in both: Machinability 60 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100 · Mold Shrinkage 0.4% · Mold Temperature (typ.) 30°C86 °F
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 0%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 0.1 mm²/s · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 0
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | PDLA | PLLA |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
PDLA vs PLLA — frequently asked
What is the difference between PDLA and PLLA?
PDLA and PLLA are both polymer grades. Both yield at about 58 MPa — strength does not separate them. PLLA is stiffer (3.5 GPa vs 3.3 GPa) and PLLA runs hotter in service (55°C vs 50°C continuous).
Which is cheaper, PDLA or PLLA?
PLLA is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while PDLA is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which welds better, PDLA or PLLA?
PLLA. Its weldability rates very good (75/100) against good (60/100) for PDLA.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PDLA and PLLA side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.