Thermoplastic
PLA
The default printing polymer. Accurate, easy, and not for service parts.
Published values for unfilled grades at 23 °C unless stated. Confirm against the supplier datasheet for the grade you specify.
What it is
PLA is derived from plant starch and is the easiest polymer to print. It has low thermal expansion, so it does not warp on an unheated bed, and it prints crisp detail with good dimensional accuracy.
It softens at 55–60 °C, which rules it out for anything that sees sun, an enclosure with electronics in it, or a car. It is a geometry and fit material, not a functional one.
Where it is used
- Form and fit prototypes
- Concept models and design reviews
- Jigs and fixtures for bench use
- Casting patterns
- Low-load display components
Processing notes
Prints at 190–220 °C nozzle, 50–60 °C bed. No enclosure required.
Layer adhesion is good, so Z-direction strength is a smaller penalty than with ABS.
Annealing at 90–100 °C raises heat resistance significantly but causes 1–3 % shrinkage that must be compensated.
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Design notes
Treat printed PLA as a visual and dimensional check, not a mechanical test.
Orient the part so load runs across layers, not along the layer boundary.
If the prototype must be tested mechanically, print in PA12, PETG, or ABS instead.
Grades and variants
- Standard PLA, general purpose
- PLA+ / tough PLA, impact modified
- Carbon or wood filled, cosmetic and stiffness variants
- High-temperature PLA for annealing
- Water-soluble PVA as a support pair
Specifying this material?
Send your CAD and target volumes. We come back with a price, a lead time, and any material or design notes that would reduce either.