the starter material: bio-based, easy, cheap, no chamber required.
ABS, the standard before PLA, required an enclosed chamber, released styrene fumes, and warped. PLA solved these problems for the home user: prints without a chamber, no smell, biodegradable (in industrial compost, 60°C, 6 months).
| Formula | (C₃H₄O₂)ₙ |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.24 g/cm³ |
| Tg (glass transition) | 60°C |
| Nozzle temp | 200–215°C |
| Bed temp | 50–60°C |
| Enclosure | no |
| Difficulty | ★: beginner |
Engineer, author of The Big Book of 3D Printing and additive manufacturing expert
| Formula | (C₃H₄O₂)ₙ |
|---|---|
| Density (g/cm³) | 1.24 |
| Tg (°C) | 60 |
| Print ease (0-10) | 10 |
| Tensile (0-10) | 5 |
| Flexibility (0-10) | 2 |
| Impact resistance (0-10) | 3 |
| Heat resistance (0-10) | 2 |
| UV resistance (0-10) | 2 |
| Chemical resistance (0-10) | 4 |
| Cost (0-10) | 9 |
| Safety (0-10) | 9 |
| Finishing (0-10) | 8 |
| Bed adhesion (0-10) | 9 |
| Accuracy (0-10) | 9 |
| Drying temperature (ASTM) | 45-50 °C |
|---|---|
| Nozzle temperature (Cura) | 195-220 °C |
| Bed temperature (Cura) | 40-60 °C |
| Nozzle temperature (EduFacturing library) | 190-220 °C |
| Bed temperature (EduFacturing library) | 40-60 °C |
| Nozzle temperature (OrcaSlicer/Bambu) | 210-230 °C |
| Bed temperature (OrcaSlicer/Bambu) | 55-65 °C |
| Property | PLA | ABS | ASA | CF-Filled (PLA/PETG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Print ease | 10 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Tensile | 5 | 6 | 7 | 6 |
| Flexibility | 2 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Impact resistance | 3 | 8 | 7 | 5 |
| Heat resistance | 2 | 8 | 8 | 3 |
| UV resistance | 2 | 3 | 9 | 4 |
| Chemical resistance | 4 | 6 | 7 | 5 |
| Cost | 9 | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| Safety | 9 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Finishing | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
| Bed adhesion | 9 | 6 | 6 | 8 |
| Accuracy | 9 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Brand | Manufacturer | EUR/kg | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| eSUN PLA+ | eSUN | 16 | budget |
| Bambu PLA Basic | Bambu Lab | 18 | budget |
| Polymaker PolyLite | Polymaker | 22 | mid |
| Prusament PLA | Prusa | 27 | premium |
| Fillamentum Extrafill | Fillamentum | 28 | premium |
Compatible printers: 573