What is PLA Filament? Your PLA FAQ!

MicroCenterMaker

Whether you're a seasoned 3D printing veteran, or just getting into the space, you've probably heard a bit about PLA filament. It's one of the most common and versatile printing materials available. But what you might not know is what it's made from, why it's so popular, or some easy-to-use tips and tricks! That's where this handy guide comes in. We've got your burning questions answered and the tools to make the most of PLA. So, without further ado, let's dig in!

What is PLA made from?

PLA stands for Polylactic acid. PLA Filament formula is made from corn and sugarcane. Because of its natural ingredients, PLA is biodegradable, compostable, and non-toxic.

Why is PLA so popular?

PLA is the most popular filament type and is the go-to filament for beginner 3D printers. This is because it is affordable, easy to print with, has a relatively low melting point, and is offered in a variety of colors. PLA filament melts evenly and feeds smoothly into your 3D Printer creating defined corners with minimal warping and no odor. Inland PLA Filament can be used with most 1.75MM FDM and FFF 3D Printers.

What should I print with PLA?

A second reason for PLA’s popularity is the wide range of prints you can make with it. PLA is best utilized for 3D models, molds, jewelry, decorative prints, prototypes, desk accessories, low-stress applications, 3D Printer or BYO PC upgrades or add-ons (as seen on our Printables profile here). PLA prints can be sanded or treated with acetone to get a smooth finish.

How many prints can I make from a 1KG roll of PLA filament?

While it's impossible to give an exact number, given the variations in print sizes, infill density, and miscellaneous print and design settings, you can expect somewhere around 10 to 15 medium-sized prints per 1KG roll of PLA filament.

How Many Types of PLA are there?

There are several types of PLA filament including PLA, PLA+, Silk PLA, and Tough PLA. The base formula is the same, with additives to differentiate the different types of PLA. 

·       PLA+ is 10x tougher than normal PLA.

·       Silk PLA has a shiny finish. 

·       Tough PLA is tougher than PLA and PLA+.

Does PLA Filament go bad?

Unlike food or other products with a hard-and-fast shelf life, PLA filament doesn't have a set expiry date. However, that doesn't mean it can't go bad. If PLA is stored in a high-moisture environment, regularly exposed to direct sunlight, or improperly rolled/handled, it can start to turn brittle, ruining the roll and making it very hard to work with. However, there are things you can do to extend the longevity of your filament. Like...

How to store PLA filament?

While the absolute best way to store filament is by vacuum sealing it with desiccant after opening, this might not be feasible for every user out there. Simply keeping it in a dark, dry room-temperature space will do wonders to extend the life of your filament. If your filament does start to get unmanageable from moisture, don't throw it out just yet. A Dryer Box can be a real lifesaver, as we tested last month!

Don’t Forget!

To keep your filament tangle free, do not let go of the filament on the spool! Always hold the spool and filament tightly, do not allow your filament to spring back.

Inland PLA 3D Printing Tips and Tricks

·       Nozzle Temp: 190°C - 230°C

·       Bed Temp: 60°C -80°C

·       If you’re having bed adhesion issues, try a thin layer of Polymer Adhesive

Show us what you're printing and Win!

Print something especially cool with Inland Filament this month? Show it to us and you could win 5 free spools of Inland Filament! Just photo a photo (or several!) of your build in the comments below and we'll select one to win!

Entries start today and run till 11:59 PM ET, December 13, 2022, and afterward, we'll be selecting one print to receive five Inland Filaments of their choice! See below for official rules.

3D Print of the Month Contest Terms and Conditions - December.pdf

rllarocca

rllarocca

Thesmellydonkey

1 foot tall large Bullet Bill from Mario Brothers. Printed on my Ender 5 plus. Fantastic matchine! 

Also printed the green bullet pipe for the massive Bullet Bill to sit on.  

Anthony07

Made this cool oreo box. It has the oreo text on both halves on the outside and the two unscrew to reveal a secret compartment. Good for hiding money, jewelry, or other small items. 

BigDaisy

I printed this 12in articulating slug a few days ago. It's a beautiful print. I printed this on my Ender 3 v2.

DLU

Here are some of the many crystal ice dragons i printed. I used the rainbow silk filament for these. Great colors!

rkseidman

After giving her a basic mockup of what I was looking for, my 13 yr old daughter created the 3D model in Blender, then we printed it on our Ender 3 V2 Neo. It took several attempts and workarounds to prevent the initial layers from lifting up in certain areas due to the thin letters, curves and points, but we finally succeeded. The print is 8.5" x 3" x 0.5" in silk silver-black.

Julia_V

Wow! Everybody here has made some great stuff. 3D Printing seems really intimidating for me to get into, but it seems super rewarding. Been looking at the Ender S1 lately, perhaps I will pull the trigger someday.

Ian

Love to see these creations from the Community in here!

Anthony07

How do we know if we won? When will the winner be picked?

ChaosDTV

thank you for the FAQ helped me learn more about filament and the builds are awesome especially bullet bill

rkseidman

Has the winner been selected? Thank you.