As we are developing both PLA and Recycled PET, some of you may wonder what are the differences between them. Now we summarize the major differences below. I also added other common materials melamine and plastic PP for more comprehensive comparison.
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4 Material Performance Competition
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| Character: | PLA | Recycled PET(RPET) | Melamine | PP Plastic |
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Temperature Resistance: |
-20℃-100℃ |
-20℃-140℃(without IML print) |
-30°C~120°C |
–20℃-120℃ |
Microwave: |
400Wmax and 3mins at most |
Yes |
Not recommend |
Yes |
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Dishwasher: |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Print: |
1C print 4C heat transfer print |
1C print 4C heat transfer print IML print |
1Cprint Decal for 4C print |
1C print
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Printing Plate and Cost: |
Heat transfer print needs the printing plate. Printing plate charge is calculated on colors and more expensive than Decal print plate |
Heat transfer and IML print require printing plate. Printing plate charge is calculated on colors and more expensive than Decal print plate |
Decal needs a printing plate. Cost is less expensive and flexible |
Heat transfer and IML print both require printing plate. Printing plate charge is calculated on colors and more expensive than Decal print plate |
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Mold and Cost: |
Injection mold with extra crystallization step; 2mins for each injection. Low production efficiency(Mold cost is nearly same with Mold for RPET) |
Injection mold (Mold steel is high standard and more expensive than other plastic. Development cost is higher. Nearly same with PLA mold) |
Press Mold
Cost is less expensive than Injection mold |
Normal Injection Mold (Cost is higher than Melamine press mold but less expensive than RPET mold and PLA mold) |
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Strength:
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★★★ |
★★★★ |
★★★ |
★★★★★ |
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Scratch Resistance: |
★★★ |
★★★★ |
★★★★★ |
★★★★ |
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Environmental Friendly: |
Yes |
Yes |
NO |
NO |
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Recyclable: |
Yes |
Yes |
NO |
Yes |
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New EU Regulation: |
PASS |
PASS |
NOT STABLE |
PASS |
We have listed up the differences. But this is our understanding about the materials. If you have any questions regarding the differences, please let me know freely. We would like to discuss. Contact here.
