PLA (Polylactic Acid)
3D Printing
Overview
PLA is a biodegradable thermoplastic derived from renewable resources like corn starch or sugar cane. It is one of the most popular materials for 3D printing due to its ease of use, low warping, and environmental friendliness.
Mechanical Properties
| Tensile Strength | 50-70 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 60 MPa |
| Elongation | 6% |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 3.5 GPa |
| Flexural Strength | 80-110 MPa |
Physical Properties
| Density | 1,240 kg/m³ |
| Melting Point | 150-160°C |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 1.8 J/g·K |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.13 W/m·K |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | 68 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ |
Applications
Prototypes and models
Educational projects
Decorative items
Packaging
Toys
Low-stress parts
Advantages
- Easy to print
- Biodegradable
- Low warping
- Good surface finish
- Wide color range
- Low cost
Limitations
- Low heat resistance (60°C)
- Brittle
- UV sensitive
- Not suitable for outdoor use
- Limited mechanical strength
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