3D Printing Material - PLA Properties

PLA (polylactic acid) is a new type of biodegradable material made from starch raw materials proposed by renewable plant resources (such as corn). PLA has high strength without curling, very low shrinkage (0.3%) environmentally friendly materials, compost is 100% degradable, excellent molding performance, stable thermoforming scale, good adhesion between layers, and also possesses good glossiness. PLA has good compatibility, degradability, mechanical properties and physical properties are good, suitable for various processing methods such as blow molding and thermoforming, easy processing, and very wide application.


PLA can print large models without a heated platform and the edges do not warp easily.  

PLA has a low shrinkage rate and performs well even when printing larger sized models.  

Under natural conditions, PLA is transparent, and the printed results tend to be bright in color and glossy when color is added.  

PLA works at a lower temperature than ABS, saving energy while printing models that are easier to shape, with good surface gloss and brilliant colors.


The improved PLA material not only has the strong properties, mechanical properties and physical properties of ABS material, but also has a low shrinkage rate and does not produce the odor of heated plastic during the printing process. It can also be used as a support material for ABS because it is relatively easy to tear it off the printing platform. To remove the support material from PLA, the model can be placed in an ultrasonic support material removal cell containing water and caustic soda. The duration and concentration of the treatment depends on how much material needs to be dissolved. The model is then simply placed in water at 80 degrees Celsius for 48 hours.

Physical Properties.