PLA plastic

What is an PLA?

     In home 3D printing, polylactic acid (PLA) is one of the primary materials. It is often compared to ABS, the second most popular filament, and there are important reasons for this.

Additional Information

      The main reason for the popularity of the material is that it is easy to print with it. PLA has a lower melting point than ABS, it does not deform (has reduced shrinkage), which eliminates the need for a heating table (although its presence will definitely help). Another important advantage of PLA is the absence of an unpleasant odor during printing. Typically, this filament is advertised as an odorless polymer, but many claim a slight smell of sweets or confectionery during printing.

     PLA is a biodegradable thermoplastic, which makes it more environmentally friendly than most filaments for 3D printers. Filament is produced from annually updated resources such as corn starch or sugarcane. Along with ABS, PLA is the base material for the production of exotic plastic, which has conductive properties or glows in the dark. Plastic can be impregnated with particles of wood or metal, which dramatically changes the properties.

Properties of PLA filament:

·     strength - high;
·     elasticity - low;
·     durability - medium;
·     the complexity of the application is low;
·     print temperature – 180-230ºС;
·     table temperature – 20-60ºС;
·     shrinkage or warping is minimal;
·     solubility - insoluble;
·     food safety - depends on the manufacturer, it is necessary to study the instructions of a particular brand.

When should I use plastic for an PLA 3D printer?

       In fact, the question should be posed differently: when should I not use PLA? Unlike other types of filament, PLA is quite fragile, therefore it is not recommended for use when printing objects subjected to repeated bending, twisting, and falling. This is not the best material for phone cases, children's toys, tool grips.

     PLA deforms at temperatures above 60 degrees, so it cannot be used to print items that are used at high temperatures. For all other types of products, PLA is the ideal filament. The main areas of application are printing of prototypes, souvenirs, containers.