PLA vs PLA+ is a much stronger and more durable 3D printing filament than regular PLA, and it can be used for various mechanical applications.
It is made from a special thermoplastic polylactic acid material, which is processed in different ways to achieve its enhanced properties. PLA+ offers improved tensile strength, better impact resistance, higher temperature resistance and better hydrophobicity compared to normal PLA.
This makes it ideal for producing parts that need to withstand greater levels of stress or exposure to liquids or high temperatures.
The printing process itself with PLA+ is slightly more challenging than regular PLA, as the higher melting point requires a hotter nozzle temperature and improved cooling of the printed part during extrusion.
In addition, PLA+ is a slightly more expensive option compared to regular PLA due to its enhanced properties.
Overall, PLA+ is an excellent choice for 3D printing projects that require superior mechanical properties and can withstand greater levels of wear and tear.
However, if your project does not require such high-performance parts, then regular PLA might be a better option due to its lower cost and easier printing process. It is up to you, the user, to decide which will best suit your individual needs.
PLA vs. PLA+: Applications Comparison
PLA (Polylactic acid) and PLA+ (modified Polylactic acid) are thermoplastic polymers, derived from renewable resources such as corn starch or sugar cane.
PLA is a biodegradable, non-toxic material that can be easily molded and extruded, making it ideal for a variety of commercial applications. PLA+ is a modified version of PLA that offers increased strength and flexibility, as well as better heat resistance.
When considering PLA vs PLA+ for commercial applications, it is important to consider factors such both materials’ strengths and weaknesses.
PLA is commonly used in non-dyed food packaging (mostly for short shelf-life products), medical products (such as implants) due to its biocompatibility, and textiles.
PLA is great for low load-bearing applications and moderate temperature environments. PLA+ can also be used in automotive applications, for interior trim, door panels, and floor mats where higher strength and flexibility or greater heat resistance is desired.
PLA vs. PLA+: Part Accuracy Comparison
PLA and PLA+ filaments are two popular materials for 3D printing, but the differences in their properties and performance can be significant.
PLA is a thermoplastic polymer made from renewable plant-based sources such as corn and sugarcane, while PLA+ is a modified version of PLA with added performance-enhancing additives.
PLA vs. PLA+: Speed Comparison
PLA and PLA+ are two of the most commonly used materials for 3D printing due to their affordability and ease of use.
PLA is derived from natural, renewable resources such as cornstarch, sugarcane, or tapioca roots, while PLA+ is a modified PLA filament with added strength and durability.
PLA material is known to be lightweight and flexible, while PLA+ provides improved strength and durability for more demanding applications.
When considering speed of printing, PLA is much faster than PLA+. Standard PLA filaments parts can be printed at speeds ranging from 40-100 mm/min, whereas PLA+ filaments average print speeds of 40-80 mm/min.
PLA vs. PLA+: Surface Comparison
The surface texture of PLA-printed parts can vary significantly depending on the printer and settings used. PLA parts often have a slightly rough texture due to the extrusion process used for printing, which leads to visible ‘layer lines’ due to the filament being laid down in layers.
To achieve a smoother finish, PLA parts need to be achieved on PLA parts with post-processing.
PLA vs. PLA+: Heat Resistance Comparison
PLA and PLA+ are both thermoplastics, meaning they can both PLA be softened and shaped when heated. PLA is a biodegradable plastic made from renewable resources like cornstarch and sugarcane.
PLA+ is an enhanced PLA that has been modified with additives to improve its properties. PLA+ usually has better heat resistance than PLA.
PLA vs. PLA+: Biodegradability Comparison
Biodegradability is a major consideration when purchasing plastic materials, and PLA and PLA+ have different degrees of biodegradability.
PLA is derived from plant materials such as cornstarch and sugarcane, making it more environmentally friendly than PLA+. PLA+ has some additional additives that can reduce its overall biodegradability.
Therefore, PLA is generally considered to be more biodegradable than PLA+. However, it is important to check the material safety data sheet of any PLA+ that you purchase to ensure that its biodegradability meets your needs.
Ultimately, PLA may be the better choice if your primary concern is biodegradability.
FAQ:
How much stronger is PLA+?
PLA+, developed by Chinese filament company eSUN, is hailed as a revolutionary new 3D printing material. It claims to be twice as strong and tough as typical PLA filaments, yet also boasting increased flexibility and resistance to cracking.
This makes it an ideal choice for functional printing applications that require greater strength and durability.
One comparative measure of strength is impact resistance, or how much energy an object can absorb before it breaks. According to Filamentive, their Tough PLA has an impact resistance of 29.8 kJ/m², compare PLA to 3.4 kJ/m² for normal PLA filament.
While eSUN doesn’t provide exact figures, the difference in strength should be even greater than with Tough PLA. This makes it a great choice for 3D printing parts that will be exposed to heavy use or harsh environments.
With its superior toughness and resilience, PLA+ could be just what you need for your next project!
What temps are PLA+ vs PLA?
When printing with PLA+, it is important to pay attention to the settings on the printer. The optimal temperature setting for PLA+ is usually slightly higher than regular PLA. For instance, eSun’s regular standard PLA filament requires a temperature range of 190-210℃, while their specific type of PLA plus filament needs temperatures between 205-225℃.
It is important to stick to these temperature ranges in order to get the best possible print results. Additionally, it may be beneficial to adjust other settings such as low printing temperature speed and parameters like fan cooling or flow rates.
The correct settings depend on the printer model and filament type you are using – so make sure to check your printer manual before using a new type of filament.
By finding the perfect combination of temperature and other settings for PLA+, you can get smooth, accurate prints with excellent layer adhesion. The result? Print quality 3D printed parts that are sure to impress!
A final tip: make sure to keep track of your successful print profiles and settings for each type of filament you use. That way, you can quickly adjust your printer to the optimal settings for a particular type of PLA+ that you have already tested and used before.
Learning how to control and optimize the print settings for PLA+ is key to successful 3D printing with this material.
Does PLA+ melt in the sun?
PLA+ is a very popular thermoplastic material used in 3D printing due to its low cost and wide availability. However, its utility is limited by some of its inherent weaknesses. One of its major detriments is that it is brittle and not particularly tough, making it vulnerable to breakage when exposed to certain external forces. In addition, PLA+ is especially sensitive to heat.
Does PLA+ melt in the sun? The answer is yes: if it’s exposed to direct sunlight for too long, the parts can actually start to deform and even melt away.
This makes it an unsuitable choice for functional applications that need to be exposed to high temperatures, as the material simply cannot handle it. If you’re looking to use PLA+ for functional applications, make sure you protect it from direct sunlight at all times.
When deciding on a material for 3D printing, it’s important to consider the limitations of each one and how they might affect the application. Although PLA+ is an attractive choice when cost is a factor, it’s important to keep in mind that direct exposure to heat can render the part useless.
It’s best to take appropriate precautions when using PLA+ for functional applications, and be sure to avoid exposing it directly to sunlight.
Overall, PLA+ is a great choice for 3D printing projects when cost is a factor and there isn’t an increased risk of exposure to high temperatures. However, if you’re looking for a material that can withstand higher heats and direct sunlight, PLA+ may not be the best choice. It’s important to consider all of your options before making a decision. Read also…