{"id":164655,"date":"2022-04-21T15:43:20","date_gmt":"2022-04-21T07:43:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/facfox.com\/docs\/?post_type=kb&p=164655"},"modified":"2022-08-12T11:35:55","modified_gmt":"2022-08-12T03:35:55","slug":"what-is-pla-3d-printing-materials-simply-explained","status":"publish","type":"kb","link":"https:\/\/facfox.com\/docs\/kb\/what-is-pla-3d-printing-materials-simply-explained","title":{"rendered":"What Is PLA? \u2013 3D Printing Materials Simply Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n

PLA is by far the most popular FDM 3D printing material. Get down to business with this quick rundown of its ideal print settings and applications.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Polylactic acid, or PLA, is\u00a0by far the most popular\u00a0FDM\u00a03D printing<\/a>\u00a0material available, and for good reason. It\u2019s relatively inexpensive, a breeze to print with, and comes in hundreds of vibrant colors and blends.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve already broken down this incredible material with a\u00a0full,\u00a0all-you-need-to-know guide<\/a>. But here, we\u2019ll give you a quick rundown of PLA to get you up and running\u00a0as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Why PLA?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\"\"
Some colorful PLA prints (Source: Lulzbot)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

PLA is a plant-based, biodegradable plastic. Its popularity in 3D printing stems from its incredible printability and versatility.<\/p>\n

Printing and\u00a0Performance<\/strong><\/p>\n

PLA is one of the easiest materials to print, unconcerned\u00a0about having exact print settings. Temperatures are flexible, warping is minimal, and there are no strong print odors. For this exact reason, many people have only ever printed PLA. If you\u2019re just getting into 3D printing, it\u2019s a great place to start.<\/p>\n

PLA is also known for its print quality. It has the best detail reproduction of the common 3D printing filaments, making it ideal for models where aesthetics are important. Easily taking pigments, PLA is also available in all sorts of vibrant colors and blends, as seen above.<\/p>\n

For practical applications,\u00a0PLA\u2019s\u00a0strength is also surprisingly ample for most light prototypes and models. Especially in recent years, PLA blends have gotten a lot better with respect to being durable. Many are even\u00a0stronger than your standard ABS. Unless your application requires significant load-bearing and durability, PLA should serve you well.<\/p>\n

External Factors<\/strong><\/p>\n

PLA is also preferred for those looking for a more environmentally-friendly plastic. PLA is based on plant matter, making it\u00a0biodegradable<\/a>\u00a0(given some time with microorganisms and humidity).\u00a0Its biodegradability isn\u2019t enough to degrade printed parts in normal room environments, but it will allow\u00a0them to decompose, if necessary.<\/p>\n

Finally, with PLA being so popular, you will be able to find it at all sorts of price points and in all sorts of\u00a0blends<\/a>. From $20 to $45 per spool, matte white to wood-filled, the options are neigh-on endless. There\u2019s a PLA available for nearly every application.<\/p>\n

Why Not PLA?<\/h3>\n
\n
\"\"
A PLA print melting under heat (Source: 3D Printing Nerd via YouTube)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Of course, no material is perfect. PLA comes with a few drawbacks that prevent it from being the perfect, all-in-one material:<\/p>\n

Durability<\/strong><\/p>\n

PLA\u2019s temperature resistance is poor, to say the least. Different manufacturers and blends will yield different results, but most PLAs will soften somewhere between 50 and 60 \u00b0C. Forget using PLA for anything that will need to withstand fire, hot water, or even sustained, direct sunlight.<\/p>\n

PLA\u2019s biodegradability<\/a>\u00a0may also come as a double-edged sword where durability is concerned. In normal room environments, the effects of biodegradation won\u2019t be particularly noticeable. Outdoor use, however, may quickly wear down PLA prints. Other materials, like\u00a0ABS<\/a>,\u00a0ASA<\/a>, and\u00a0PETG<\/a>, would be more suitable for these applications.<\/p>\n

Food Safety<\/strong><\/p>\n

Finally, PLA is not usually considered\u00a0food-safe<\/a>. In its most natural state, it is, but this quickly changes as additives and pigments are added. Only certain blends are considered food-safe, and even with those, bacteria buildup in the print lines and defects remains a concern.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Printing PLA<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"
PLA yields clean prints with flexible settings (Source: All3DP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n

As already mentioned, PLA is extremely flexible when it comes to print settings. As long as your\u00a0bed is level<\/a>, your printer is in good working order, and your settings are in the right ballpark, prints should (generally) succeed.<\/p>\n

We go into the ins and outs of nailing PLA print settings in a\u00a0separate guide<\/a>, but for a quick reference, the following is what your settings should look like. (Note: If your printer comes with PLA print profiles, these should already be well-tuned.)<\/p>\n