PDLA
PDLA is the poly(D-lactic acid) enantiomer of the bio-based PLA family, made from D-lactide and used almost entirely as a blending partner rather than a stand-alone resin.
Reference datasheet — PDLA is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
PDLA grades and fills
PDLA is supplied in 2 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 2 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Low-molecular-weight PDLA nucleating/stereocomplex additive grade | Pick when 1–5 % PDLA is dosed into PLLA purely to nucleate crystallisation and shorten cycle time. | 40 | 40 | 2 | 80 Shore D |
ScPLA | Choose when PLA-level stiffness is needed with 200 °C+ melting and much higher heat deflection than plain PLA. | 68 | 4 |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways PDLA is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
MED | Medical / resorbable grade | Certification |
NATDefault | Unfilled / natural PDLA homopolymer | Standard supply |
What is PDLA?
PDLA is the poly(D-lactic acid) enantiomer of the bio-based PLA family, made from D-lactide and used almost entirely as a blending partner rather than a stand-alone resin. Adding a small fraction to PLLA forms stereocomplex PLA (scPLA), which raises heat deflection temperature well above standard PLA; it is supplied as pellets and powder in natural, low-molecular-weight, stereocomplex and medical conditions. Neat PDLA is stiff and brittle at 60 MPa tensile, 4 % elongation and 3.3 GPa modulus, with service limited to about 50 °C. It costs more and is harder to source than PLLA, which stays the default for general parts. PDLA has a density of 1.25 g/cm³ (0.0452 lb/in³), heavier than 64% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 58°C (136 °F). PDLA has a yield strength of 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) and a tensile strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) — stronger than 66% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 3.3 GPa (0.479 Msi).
What is PDLA used for?
- stereocomplex PLA blending agent
- heat-resistant PLA compounds
- research/medical polymer blends
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 2.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 89% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.4%, better than 82% of polymer grades
- Stiff — 3.3 GPa (0.479 Msi), better than 80% of polymer grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 77% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 45/100, worse than 98% of polymer grades
- Limited service temperature — 50°C (122 °F), worse than 94% of polymer grades
- Limited ductility — 4%, worse than 78% of polymer grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.16 W/m·K (0.0924 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 78% of polymer grades
PDLA properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical7
PDLA has a density of 1.25 g/cm³ (0.0452 lb/in³), heavier than 64% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 58°C (136 °F).
Mechanical16
PDLA has a yield strength of 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) and a tensile strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) — stronger than 66% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 3.3 GPa (0.479 Msi).
Thermal11
PDLA is rated for continuous service to 50°C (122 °F). It conducts heat at 0.16 W/m·K (0.0924 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 78% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 80 µm/m·K (44.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PDLA is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 20 kV/mm (508 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (45/100), worse than 98% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PDLA takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 98% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
PDLA's machinability is good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades); weldability good (60/100); formability fair (40/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. PDLA is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with PDLA
Is PDLA easy to machine?
Machines like acrylic — sharp tools, high speed, low feed, air cooling; avoid coolants and frictional heat that soften it above ~55 °C.
Can PDLA be welded?
Ultrasonic, hot-plate and heat-sealing all work; solvent bonding with chloroform/dichloromethane, but no chemical resistance to those solvents in service.
Can PDLA be formed, bent or molded?
Dry pellets to <250 ppm before extrusion/moulding to prevent hydrolytic MW loss; melt 195–230 °C (245–265 °C for scPLA blends) and mould hot (90–140 °C) to develop crystallinity.
PDLA chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| D-lactic acid (D-lactide) repeat unitoptical purity governs stereocomplex formation | 97 – 99.9 | 99 |
| L-lactic acid repeat unitresidual enantiomer from feedstock | 0.1 – 3 | 1 |
| Sn (Sn(Oct)2 ring-opening catalyst residlower for medical grades | 0 – 0.02 | 0.01 |
| residual lactide monomer<0.1 % for medical grades | 0 – 0.5 | 0.2 |
What surface finishes work on PDLA?
Takes paint and vapour-coating with adhesion primer; no plating; polishes and laser-marks readily but avoid alkaline cleaners and steam.
How much does PDLA cost?
PDLA is a high-cost polymer ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
PDLA — frequently asked
What is PDLA used for?
PDLA is typically used for stereocomplex PLA blending agent, heat-resistant PLA compounds and research/medical polymer blends. In short: raises PLA heat resistance; scPLA blending enantiomer; specialty low-volume PLA.
What is the yield strength of PDLA?
PDLA has a typical yield strength of 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) and a tensile strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) — stronger than 66% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is PDLA easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades). Machines like acrylic — sharp tools, high speed, low feed, air cooling; avoid coolants and frictional heat that soften it above ~55 °C.
Can PDLA be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Ultrasonic, hot-plate and heat-sealing all work; solvent bonding with chloroform/dichloromethane, but no chemical resistance to those solvents in service.
What surface finishes work on PDLA?
Takes paint and vapour-coating with adhesion primer; no plating; polishes and laser-marks readily but avoid alkaline cleaners and steam.
Can PDLA be formed, bent or molded?
Dry pellets to <250 ppm before extrusion/moulding to prevent hydrolytic MW loss; melt 195–230 °C (245–265 °C for scPLA blends) and mould hot (90–140 °C) to develop crystallinity.
What is the maximum service temperature of PDLA?
PDLA is rated for continuous use to about 50°C (122 °F), and briefly to 70°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does PDLA cost?
PDLA is a high-cost polymer ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- Luminy PLA resin portfolio (D-series / high-heat stereocomplex data) — TotalEnergies Corbion (2023)
- Poly(lactic acid): Synthesis, Structures, Properties, Processing and Applications — Wiley (2010)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook — Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- CAMPUS / UL Prospector PLA property sets — CAMPUS / UL (2024)
- GB/T 1040 / ASTM D638, D790, D256, D648 test methods — SAC / ASTM (2022)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.