Filament (FDM)
PLA 3D printing
PLA is the most widely used polymer in filament 3D printing: stiff, accurate and inexpensive, suited to models and prototypes that do not work in heat. We print it in Brescia with FDM, including a high-temperature grade (HT-PLA).
What it is for
PLA is used for form models, cosmetic prototypes, size and assembly checks, light jigs and bench tools that work at room temperature. It is stiff, reproduces detail well and costs little, which makes it the usual material for the first iterations of a design.
Do not choose it for parts that work in heat, outdoors or under constant load. The data sheet of the reference grade reports a heat deflection temperature of 58.1 °C at 0.45 MPa (ISO 75). For outdoor use ASA is the better fit; for parts that have to take knocks, PCTG; for mechanical duty, nylon.
Variants compared
| Property | PLAQuote |
|---|---|
| Mechanical | |
| Tensile strengthISO 527, XY | 39.93 MPa25.39 MPa Z |
| Tensile modulusISO 527, XY | 2,531.08 MPa2,265.58 MPa Z |
| Elongation at breakISO 527, XY | 16.57%3.05% Z |
| Flexural strengthISO 178, XY | 62.12 MPa49.96 MPa Z |
| Flexural modulusISO 178, XY | 2,438.41 MPa2,368.62 MPa Z |
| Charpy impact, notchedISO 179, XY | 20.76 kJ/m² |
| Charpy impact, unnotchedISO 179, XY | 51.7 kJ/m²21.7 kJ/m² Z |
| Thermal | |
| Heat deflection temperature (HDT) at 0.45 MPaISO 75 | 58.1 °C |
| Heat deflection temperature (HDT) at 1.8 MPaISO 75 | 55.6 °C |
| Glass transition (Tg)DSC, 10 °C/min | 58.3 °C |
| Melting point (Tm)DSC, 10 °C/min | 158.9 °C |
| Vicat softening temperatureISO 306 | 63.5 °C |
| Physical | |
| DensityISO 1183 | 1.237 g/cm³ |
| Water absorptionequilibrium at 23 °C and 70% RH | 0.449%standard not stated on the sheet |
| Source |
|
| Property | PLAQuote | High-temperature PLA (HT-PLA)Quote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| as printed | annealed 30 min at 80–90 °C | ||
| Mechanical | |||
| Tensile strengthISO 527, XY | 39.93 MPa25.39 MPa Z | 42.86 MPa20.83 MPa Z | on request |
| Tensile modulusISO 527, XY | 2,531.08 MPa2,265.58 MPa Z | 2,945.75 MPa2,596.43 MPa Z | on request |
| Elongation at breakISO 527, XY | 16.57%3.05% Z | 2.8%0.97% Z | on request |
| Flexural strengthISO 178, XY | 62.12 MPa49.96 MPa Z | 74.04 MPa29.39 MPa Z | on request |
| Flexural modulusISO 178, XY | 2,438.41 MPa2,368.62 MPa Z | 2,893.46 MPa2,411.22 MPa Z | on request |
| Charpy impact, notchedISO 179, XY | 20.76 kJ/m² | 4.94 kJ/m²4.5 kJ/m² Z | on request |
| Charpy impact, unnotchedISO 179, XY | 51.7 kJ/m²21.7 kJ/m² Z | on request | |
| Thermal | |||
| Heat deflection temperature (HDT) at 0.45 MPaISO 75 | 58.1 °C | 61.4 °C | 107.2 °C |
| Heat deflection temperature (HDT) at 1.8 MPaISO 75 | 55.6 °C | 58.6 °C | 71.7 °C |
| Glass transition (Tg)DSC, 10 °C/min | 58.3 °C | 59.8 °Cstate not given on the sheet | |
| Melting point (Tm)DSC, 10 °C/min | 158.9 °C | 177.23 °Cstate not given on the sheet | |
| Vicat softening temperatureISO 306 | 63.5 °C | 156.2 °C | on request |
| Physical | |||
| DensityISO 1183 | 1.237 g/cm³ | 1.287 g/cm³at 23 °C | |
| Water absorptionequilibrium at 23 °C and 70% RH | 0.449%standard not stated on the sheet | on request | |
| Source |
|
| |
Typical values from the makers' data sheets, measured on specimens under the conditions stated. They are not guaranteed design values: for a critical application ask us for a test on your part.
Treatments after printing
The high-temperature grade (HT-PLA) can be annealed: 30 minutes at 80–90 °C, according to the maker's data sheet. On the sheet's specimens the heat deflection temperature at 0.45 MPa goes from 61.4 to 107.2 °C, and the one at 1.8 MPa from 58.6 to 71.7 °C.
Annealing and filament drying are done in a Memmert oven at a controlled temperature.
Design limits
- Build volume
- 350 × 350 × 450 mm
- Minimum wall
- 3 mm
- Dimensional tolerance
- ±0.6 mm up to 100 mm, ±0.75% above
These are the limits of the process, the same for every variant unless stated. For critical dimensions, talk to us before printing.
Which variant to choose
- PLA: the standard grade, for models and prototypes at room temperature. On the sheet's printed specimens: tensile strength 39.93 MPa in XY and 25.39 MPa in Z, elongation at break 16.57% in XY (ISO 527).
- High-temperature PLA (HT-PLA): stiffer and more brittle (elongation at break 2.8% in XY, as printed). After annealing the heat deflection temperature at 0.45 MPa goes from 61.4 to 107.2 °C (ISO 75). Choose it when the part must hold its shape in heat and takes no impacts.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do you have a part to print in PLA?
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