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In the field of3D printing, material selection is crucial to printing high-quality models that meet specific needs. As one of the most commonly used 3D printing materials,polylactic acid (PLA) has been widely welcomed for its advantages of environmental protection, ease of use, and moderate cost.
However, with the continuous advancement of technology and the expansion of application fields, the requirements for the performance of printing materials are also increasing. In this context, PLA Plus has gradually emerged as an improved PLA material. So,which one is better, PLA or PLA Plus?TheLS teamwill take you to compare and analyze these two materials in detail, so that you will not feel confused when faced with PLA and PLA Plus!
What is PLA?
PLA (polylactic acid) is a biodegradable thermoplastic polymerized from lactic acid extracted from renewable resources (such as corn starch, cassava, etc.) through microbial fermentation. It has the following characteristics:
- Environmental protection:PLA can be completely degraded into carbon dioxideand water under the action of microorganisms, and has no pollution to the environment.
- Processing performance:PLA has good thermal stability and processing performance, and is suitable for a variety of processing methods, such as blow molding, thermoplastic, etc.
- Wide application:Due to PLA's environmental protection and good processing performance, it is widely used in packaging materials, disposable tableware, fibers, 3D printing consumables and other fields.
What is PLA Plus?
PLA Plus, also known as PLA+ or PLA Plus, Pro, Extra, Premium, etc., is an improved version of PLA. It improves certain properties of PLA by adding specific additives and modifiers during the manufacturing process of PLA. PLA Plus usually has the following characteristics:
- Performance improvement:Compared with ordinary PLA, PLA Plus has improved toughness, rigidity, temperature resistance, etc., making it more suitable for making parts that need to withstand a certain load or need to be used at higher temperatures.
- Print quality:Due to the increased performance, parts printed with PLA Plus generally have better surface quality and mechanical properties.
- Expanded scope of application:Due to improved performance, PLA Plus is suitable for more types of printing applications, such as functional parts, auto parts, electronic equipment, etc.
Key Differences: PLA vs PLA Plus
Whenchoosing between PLA or PLA Plus, ask yourself these questions:What will you be doing with your 3D work?Does it have moving parts? Does it need to bear weight? Would you place it in direct sunlight?
Then, consider the significant differences between PLA and PLA Plus and how they affect your answers to the questions above and other project needs. We use a table below to express the difference between the two, so that you can make the right choice.
| Project | Polylactic acid (PLA) | Polylactic acid Plus(PLA Plus) |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Poly lactic acid, a bio-based biodegradable material made from renewable resources such as corn starch. | An enhanced version of PLA that enhances the mechanical properties and durability of the material by adding specific additives and modifiers. |
| Mechanical properties | It has medium strength, high brittleness, and is prone to fracture under stress. | Increased strength, generally more flexible than PLA, with enhanced tensile strength and impact resistance. |
| Durability | Long-term durability is insufficient and prone to wear and tear, especially under mechanical stress, heat, or outdoor conditions. | Enhanced durability for impact and abrasion resistance, suitable for use in harsh environments. |
| hygroscopicity | It is easy to absorb moisture, and after moisture absorption, it will lead to a decrease in strength and brittleness of the material. | Also hygroscopic, but some formulations may reduce their effects with additives. |
| Printing temperature | Usually prints in the range of 180-220°C. | Due to the addition of heat-resistant additives, the printing temperature is usually 200-250°C. |
| Color options | A variety of color options are available, depending on the manufacturer. | Color options are equally plentiful, depending on the manufacturer, and some brands may offer more colors. |
| Price | The price is relatively low, and it is the material of choice for many 3D printing users. | Typically $5 to $15 more than PLA price, depending on the manufacturer and wire size. |
| Fields of application | Widely used in 3D printing, packaging, furniture textiles, biomedicine and other fields. | More suitable for printing parts that need to withstand loads, such as mechanical parts or structural supports. |
| Food safety | Pure PLA is considered food safe, but printed parts may present a risk of bacterial growth. | Due to the addition of modifiers, it is generally not considered food safe unless explicitly stated by the manufacturer. |
| Sustainability | Biodegradable, but effective decomposition requires specific industrial composting conditions. | Also biodegradable, but the recycling process can be complicated by additives. |
When to Choose PLA Over PLA Plus？
If PLA is elected instead of PLA Plus, the following conditions can be considered:
- Cost considerations:PLA is usually lower than PLA Plus. Pcosts reduce costs when limited budget or printed parts do not require too high performance.
- Application requirements:For some models with high requirements for non-functional or aesthetic properties, such as decorations, art or educational uses, PLA is good enough to meet the needs, without the need to choose expensive PLA Plus to achieve.
- Printing device compatibility:If your 3D printer supports a limited number of high-temperature wires or the printing bed temperature control is not accurate, then the PLA may be more appropriate. Due to thesmall PLA printing temperature range, the printing equipment demand is relatively small.
- Simplicity of post-processing:PLA processing is relatively simple, easy to polish, paint and bonding. If the printed parts do not need a complicated post-processing process or you want to simplify the post-processing process can choose PLA processing.
- Environmental protection and sustainability:Although PLA and PLA Plus are both biodegradable substances, PLA, as a more traditional scheme, may be more mature and promoted in the process of recycling and treatment. If you pay special attention to environmental protection, sustainability, and do not have too high requirements for material performance, you can choose PLA.
Choosing PLA instead of PLA Plus should be mainly based on the perspectives of cost, application requirements, printing equipment compatibility, post-processing simplicity, and environmental protection and sustainability. If these elements are more important to you, the PLA may be the more suitable choice for you. But if the printed parts need to bear a large load, for high temperature environment or high dimensional accuracy requirements, PLA Plus may be more consistent with your requirements.
When PLA Plus Is the Better Choice?
When PLA Plus becomes a better choice, its advantage is particularly significant over PLA in specific application scenarios, mainly due to the following key factors:
- First, the PLA Plus is ideal for printed parts that need to withstand high loads or that may suffer large bending stress during use. Because of its modified treatment, the tensile strength, impact resistance and bending performance have been improved, which can resist higher stress and is not easy to break.
- Secondly, if the printed parts need to be used in a high temperature environment, or need to resist high temperature conditions such as sun exposure, PLA Plus temperature resistance is better. Its thermal deformation temperature is high, even at high temperature is not easy to soften or deformation, it is very suitable for the production of parts that need to be stable in the high temperature environment.
- Moreover, for the parts with higher dimensional precision requirements, the shrinkage rate of PLA Plus is lower, and the dimensional stability of the printed parts is better. This greatly reduces size bias due to warping and shrinkage and is critical for components that require precise control of size.
- In addition, PLA Plus offers more options if there are specific surface treatment requirements for printed pieces, such as pursuing matte or gloss effects. Through different post-processing processes, richer surface effects can be achieved to meet the needs of personalized design.
Finally, from the perspective of material properties, PLA Plus is superior to PLA in its mechanical properties, temperature resistance, and dimensional stability. With higher performance requirements or better printing results, choosing PLA Plus is a better decision.
How to Optimize Printer Settings？
The printer setup optimization guide for PLA and PLA Plus materials is as follows:
PLA Setting up the optimization recommendations:
- Nozzle temperature: it is recommended to be about 200 C. It should be noted that the temperature should not be too high to prevent excessive melting and wire drawing, and it should not be too low to avoid affecting the material adhesion and ensure the printing quality.
- Hot bed temperature: the recommended setting is 60 C. The appropriate hot bed temperature helps the material attach tightly to the print bed, reducing the risk of warping and shedding.
- Printing speed: 50 mm / s is recommended. The speed should be adjusted flexibly according to the complexity and accuracy requirements of the model. Too fast may affect the accuracy, while too slow may prolong the printing time.
PLA Plus Setting up the optimization recommendations:
- Nozzle temperature: Recommended to set to about 220 C. Due to the high melting point of PLA Plus, a higher nozzle temperature is required to ensure that the material is fully melted and smooth.
- Hot bed temperature: the recommended setting is 65 C. Appropriate increase of hot bed temperature can help PLA Plus to better attach to the printing bed and reduce warping and shedding.
- Printing speed: 40 mm / s is recommended. Due to the high melting viscosity of PLA Plus, the printing speed should be appropriately reduced to ensure the printing quality and accuracy.
Which is better, PLA or PLA Plus?
With its many additional advantages, PLA Plus can be called an upgraded version of PLA. However, this upgrade also comes with a higher price tag.
If your 3D printer needs are limited to producing static, beautiful works, then standard PLA is undoubtedly the cost-effective choice. But if you are looking for a piece with mobile functions and load-bearing capacity, then the additional investment of PLA Plus is definitely worth it.
Although sometimes the difference between PLA Plus and PLA is only reflected in marketing terms, high-quality PLA Plus actually adds special additives and modifiers to allow it to melt stably in a higher temperature range, resulting in excellent surface quality and interlayer adhesion. In addition, PLA Plus has better flexibility and better pressure resistance. It can bend even under pressure and is not easy to break.
Standard PLA is an economical and affordable choice among 3D printing materials, and its color types are rich and diverse. Many users also find that standard PLA is easier to use than PLA Plus, although this also comes down to personal preference.
When choosing 3D printing filament, be sure to choose the most appropriate material based on your project needs. If you are looking for durable, flexible and more heat-resistant printing, PLA Plus is undoubtedly your first choice. And if you value printing materials that are affordable and meet basic needs, then standard PLA is also a good choice. Of course, you can also try both materials and decide which one suits your needs better after experiencing it for yourself.
Summary
When choosing PLA and PLA Plus, you need to make trade-offs based on specific application scenarios and needs. If you are a beginner or need to make models that do not require high material performance, ordinary PLA may be a better choice. And if you need to make high-performance parts or need to be used in high-temperature environments, then PLA Plus may be more suitable for your needs. Of course, price is also a factor to consider. If your budget allows, choosing materials with better performance usually results in better printing results and better user experience.
Disclaimer
The content on this page is for reference only.LSdoes not make any express or implied representation or warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or validity of the information. No performance parameters, geometric tolerances, specific design features, material quality and type or workmanship should be inferred as to what a third party supplier or manufacturer will deliver through the Longsheng Network. It is the responsibility of the buyerseeking a quote for partsto determine the specific requirements for those parts.Pleasecontact usfor moreinformation.
LS Team
LS is an industry-leading companyspecializing in custom manufacturing solutions. With over 20 years of experience serving more than 5,000 clients, we focus on high-precisionCNC machining,sheet metal fabrication,3D printing,injection molding,metal stamping,and other one-stop manufacturing services.
Our factory is equipped with more than 100 advanced 5-axis machining centers and is ISO 9001:2015 certified. We provide fast, efficient, and high-quality manufacturing solutions to customers in over 150 countries worldwide. Whether it’s low-volume production or large-scale customization, we can meet your needs with delivery as fast as 24 hours. ChoosingLS Technologymeans choosing efficiency, quality, and professionalism.
To learn more, please visit our website:www.lsrpf.com
FAQs
1.Does PLA Plus print at a higher temperature than PLA?
Yes, PLA Plus generally requires higher printing temperatures due to additives that increase heat resistance. The specific temperature range depends on the brand and model, but most PLA Plus printing temperatures range from 200 to 230°C.
2.Which is better for food related applications, PLA or PLA Plus?
Pure polylactic acid is generally considered food safe, but the safety of both PLA and PLA Plus after printing for food-related applications is questionable. Tiny gaps between printing layers may provide conditions for bacterial growth, while additives, dyes or colorants that may be present in the filament may also pose potential risks. Therefore, both materials should be used with caution in food-related applications.
3.Which is easier to recycle, PLA or PLA Plus?
Although both PLA and PLA Plus are biodegradable materials, their recycling process is not simple. Pure PLA can be effectively decomposed under specific industrial composting conditions, while the recycling process of PLA Plus may be more complicated due to the addition of modifiers. Currently, re-extrusion of failed prints, waste and unused models is an effective recycling method.
4.Does the PLA have a better stiffness than the PLA Plus?
No, the PLA is generally less rigid than the PLA Plus.
PLA Plus On the basis of maintaining the printability of PLA, its stiffness is improved by adding modiagent. Thus, in most cases, the stiffness of PLA Plus outperformed conventional PLA materials. This makes PLA Plus more advantageous in application scenarios that require higher stiffness.
5.Does PLA warp better than PLA+?
No, PLA generally does not warp as well as PLA Plus. Warpage is a common problem during the 3D printing process, mainly caused by uneven shrinkage of the material. Because PLA Plus has specific additives and modifiers added during the manufacturing process, its shrinkage is better controlled, so its warpage performance is generally better than that of traditional PLA materials. In addition, the layers of PLA Plus adhere better, which also helps reduce warping.
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