PLA Filament
PLA is one of the most popular materials used in 3D printing Overview | Positives & NegativesHardware RequirementsAn Overview of PLA Filament
Polylactic Acid, commonly known as PLA, is one of the most popular materials used in desktop 3D printing. It is the default filament of choice for most extrusion-based 3D printers because it can be printed at a low temperature and does not require a heated bed.
It is also one of the most environmentally friendly filaments on the market today. Derived from crops such as corn and sugarcane, PLA is renewable and most importantly biodegradable. As a bonus, this also allows the plastic to give off a sweet aroma during printing.
Positives
- Low Cost
- Stiff and good strength
- Good dimensional accuracy
- Good shelf life
Negatives
- Low heat resistance
- Can ooze and may need cooling fans
- Filament can get brittle and break
- Not suitable for outdoors (sunlight exposure)
Typical Hardware Requirements
Printer Bed
Temperature: 45-60 °C
Heated Bed Optional
Enclosure not required
Build Surface
Painter’s tape
PEI
Glass plate
Glue stick
Filament Extruder
Temperature: 190-220 °C
No special hot-end required
Cooling Fan
Cooling Fan Required
Fan Speed: Maximum
Getting Started
Common Applications
- Test and calibration items
- Dimensionally accurate assemblies
- Decorative Parts
- Cosplay Props
Sample Projects
Popular Brands
- Polymaker PLA, PolyMax, PolyPlus
- ColorFabb PLA/PHA
- Hatchbox PLA
- eSun PLA
- Filamentum PLA