Performance evaluation and comparative study of polylactic acid (PLA) and polyester (PET) wadding materials

Abstract In response to the “dual–carbon” strategy and green manufacturing, this study compares polylactic acid (PLA) wadding with conventional polyester (PET) wadding. Thermal insulation and compression resilience were evaluated, and the antibacterial and anti-mite properties of PLA wadding were further investigated. Thermal resistance measurement, cyclic compression testing, antibacterial shake-flask testing, and mite cultivation experiments were conducted. At the same basis weight, PLA wadding showed higher thermal resistance and insulation rate than PET wadding. PLA also exhibited smaller permanent deformation and better fatigue resistance after cyclic compression. The antibacterial inhibition rates against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus exceeded 96%, while the mite inhibition rate was only 15%, indicating limited anti-mite effectiveness. These results provide standardized experimental data and performance reference for evaluating the feasibility and development potential of PLA wadding as a sustainable filling material.