3-D Printing

PLA (Polylactic Acid)

• PLA is useful in a broad range of printing applications, has the
virtue of being both odorless and low-warp, and does not
require a heated bed.
• Manufactured from corn-starch
• Outside of 3D printing, PLA plastic is often used in food
containers, such as candy wrappers, and biodegradable
medical implants, such as sutures.
 PLA (Polylactic Acid)
Material Properties
Density 1.3 g/cm3 (81 lb/ft3) Melting Onset 160 °C (320 °F)
(Solidus)
Elastic Modulus 3.5 GPa  Shear Modulus 2.4 GPa
Elongation at Break 6.0 % Specific Heat 1800 J/kg-K
Capacity
Flexural Modulus 4.0 GPa  Strength to Weight 38 kN-m/kg
Ratio
Flexural Strength 80 MPa Tensile Strength: 50 MPa
Ultimate
Glass Transition 60 °C (140 °F) Thermal 0.13 W/m-K
Temperature Conductivity
Heat Deflection 65 °C (150 °F) Thermal Diffusivity 0.056
Temperature At 455
kPa (66 psi)
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
• Best used for making durable parts that need
to withstand higher temperatures.
• In comparison to PLA, ABS plastic is less
‘brittle.’ 
• It can also be post-processed with acetone to
provide a glossy finish.
• Heated Bed needed as ABS plastic will
contract when cooled leading to warped parts.
 ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
Material Properties
Density 1.0 to 1.4 g/cm3 Heat Deflection 83 to 110 °C (180 to
Temperature At 230 °F)
455 kPa (66 psi)
Dielectric Constant 3.1 to 3.2 Strength to Weight 37 to 79 kN-m/kg
Ratio
Dielectric Strength 15 to Tensile Strength: 37 to 110 MPa
(Breakdown 16 kV/mm (0.59 to Ultimate
Potential) 0.63 V/mil)
Flexural Modulus 2.1 to 7.6 GPa  Thermal Expansion 81 to 95 µm/m-K
Flexural Strength 72 to 97 MPa Elongation at Break 3.5 to 50 %
Heat Deflection 76 to 110 °C (170 to
Temperature At 230 °F
1.82 MPa (264 psi)