WHAT IS PLA?

In the realm of consumer 3D printing, polylactic acid (PLA) is king. Although ’s often compared to ABS – arguably the next in line to the throne – PLA is sily the most popular 3D printer filament type, and for good reason.

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First and foremost, PLA is easy to print with. It has a lower printing temperature than ABS, and it doesn’t warp as easily, meaning it doesn’t require heating bed (although it definitely helps). Another benefit of using PLA is at it doesn’t give off an offputting odor during printing (unlike ABS). It’s generally considered an odorless filament, but many have reported smelling sweet candy-like fumes depending on the type of PLA.

Another appealing aspect of PLA is that it’s available in a nearly endless abundance of colors and styles. As you’ll see in the exotics sections, many of ese specialty filaments use PLA as the base material, such as those with conductive or glow-in-the-dark properties, or those infused with wood or metal.

Finally, as a biodegradable thermoplastic, PLA is more environmentally friendly than most types of 3D printer filament, being made from annually renewable resources such as corn starch or sugar cane.

To see further comparisons between PLA and ABS, check out the following article: PLA Filament Buyer's Guide.

3D PRINTER FILAMENT PROPERTIES: PLA

Strength: High | Flexibility: Low | Durability: Medium

Difficulty to use: Low/li>

Print temperature: 180°C – 230°C

Print bed temperature: 20°C – 60°C (but not needed)

Shrinkage/warping: Minimal

Soluble: No

Food safety: Refer to manufacturer guidelines

WHEN SHOULD I USE PLA 3D PRINTER FILAMENT?

In this case, the better question might be, When shouldn’t I use PLA? compared to other types of 3D printer filament, PLA is brittle, so avoid using when making items that might be bent, twisted, or dropped repeatedly, such as one cases, high-wear toys, or tool handles.

You should also avoid using it with items that need to withstand higher temperatures, as PLA tends to deform around temperatures of 60°C or higher. For l other applications, PLA makes for a good overall choice in 3D printer filament.

Common prints include models, low-wear toys, prototype parts, and containers.

RECAP OF PLA 3D PRINTER FILAMENT

Pros: Easy to print, wide variety of colors/styles, biodegradable

Cons: Brittle, lackluster mechanical properties