PLA
also PLA Plus
PLA is a biobased, compostable aliphatic polyester made from fermented plant starch (corn, sugarcane) and is the default low-cost, low-warp material for FDM printing and disposable rigid packaging.
PLA grades and fills
PLA is supplied in 10 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 10 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Active-foaming lightweight PLA | Chemically foams above ~230 °C to cut part density by 40–65 % — the standard choice for RC aircraft and lightweight cores. | 15 | 16 | 3 | 58 Shore D |
Metal-powder filled PLA | For heavy, metallic-looking display parts that can be tumbled and polished to a real metal sheen; very abrasive and mechanically weak. | 25 | 1.5 | 86 Shore D | |
Wood-flour filled PLA | Decorative composite that sands and stains like wood; mechanically weaker, clog-prone in small nozzles and needs low print temperatures to avoid charring. | 30 | 32 | 2 | 78 Shore D |
Conductive / static-dissipative PLA | For ESD-safe fixtures, sensor pads and low-current traces where surface resistance must be well below insulating PLA. | 34 | 35 | 2 | 83 Shore D |
Halogen-free flame-retardant PLA | Specify for electrical enclosures and rail/transport interior parts needing a V-0 rating; FR loading lowers impact strength and flow. | 40 | 42 | 2.5 | 82 Shore D |
Impact-modified PLA | Pick when parts must survive drops, screw bosses or snap fits — 3–5× the notched impact of plain PLA at slightly lower stiffness. | 45 | 48 | 15 | 79 Shore D |
Nucleated high-temperature PLA | Choose when the printed part must stay stiff above 60 °C: post-print annealing at 100–110 °C crystallises the resin and lifts HDT to ~90–120 °C (with ~1–2 % shrinkage). | 52 | 55 | 3 | 85 Shore D |
Carbon-fibre filled PLA | Use for stiff, matte-black, low-warp structural prints; nearly doubles modulus but is brittle and requires a hardened steel nozzle. | 52 | 1.5 | ||
Injection-moulding / extrusion resin grade | Pellet grades (e.g. Ingeo 2003D/3251D class) for moulded rigid packaging and cutlery — highest as-moulded strength but the same 55 °C HDT ceiling. | 58 | 60 | 5 | 84 Shore D |
Glass-fibre filled PLA | Cheaper stiffening route than CF with better strength retention; abrasive to brass nozzles and gives a rough, light-grey surface. | 62 | 1.8 |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways PLA is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
MATTE | Mineral/matting-agent filled PLA | Surface finish |
SILK | High-gloss 'silk' PLA blend | Surface finish |
FOOD | Food-contact / FDA-compliant PLA | Certification |
StandardDefault | Unfilled natural PLA filament / resin | Standard supply |
What is PLA?
PLA is a biobased, compostable aliphatic polyester made from fermented plant starch (corn, sugarcane) and is the default low-cost, low-warp material for FDM printing and disposable rigid packaging. It is stocked as Standard, Tough, HTPLA, CF, GF, wood- and metal-filled, LW, SILK, MATTE, ESD, FR, FOOD and IM variants, with typical unfilled properties of 50 MPa tensile strength, 5 % elongation, 3.4 GPa modulus and a machinability score of 60. Service temperature stops at 50 °C, parts creep under load and are brittle, and unprotected surfaces degrade in sunlight; move to PETG or ABS when heat or impact resistance is needed. PLA has a density of 1.24 g/cm³ (0.0448 lb/in³), heavier than 63% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 60°C (140 °F). PLA has a yield strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) and a tensile strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) — weaker than 53% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 3.4 GPa (0.493 Msi).
What is PLA used for?
- Concept models
- Quick visual prototypes
- Form and fit-check parts
- Architectural and display models
- Low-temperature assembly jigs
- Master patterns for silicone moulds
- Packaging and enclosure form studies
- Classroom and training parts
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 1.8 kg CO₂/kg, better than 99% of polymer grades
- Stiff — 3.4 GPa (0.493 Msi), better than 82% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.4%, better than 82% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 50°C (122 °F), worse than 94% of polymer grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 55/100, worse than 94% of polymer grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.13 W/m·K (0.0751 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 82% of polymer grades
PLA properties
Typical room-temperature values in the Standard condition; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical7
PLA has a density of 1.24 g/cm³ (0.0448 lb/in³), heavier than 63% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 60°C (140 °F).
Mechanical16
PLA has a yield strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) and a tensile strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) — weaker than 53% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 3.4 GPa (0.493 Msi).
Thermal11
PLA is rated for continuous service to 50°C (122 °F). It conducts heat at 0.13 W/m·K (0.0751 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 82% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 70 µm/m·K (38.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical6
PLA is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 19 kV/mm (482.6 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 94% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PLA takes about 50 MJ of energy and emits 1.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 99% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 2%.
Manufacturability8
PLA's machinability is good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability poor (25/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. PLA is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with PLA
Is PLA easy to machine?
Machines easily with sharp single-flute cutters, high rpm and low feed, but heat build-up melts and re-welds chips — use air blast, avoid coolant with hot water, and expect brittle edge chipping when drilling.
Can PLA be welded?
Hot-plate, ultrasonic and friction welding all work below ~200 °C; solvent bonding with dichloromethane or ethyl acetate gives strong joints, and cyanoacrylate/epoxy adhere well after light sanding.
Can PLA be formed, bent or molded?
Prints at 190–220 °C nozzle / 50–60 °C bed with almost no warp and no enclosure needed; injection moulds at 185–215 °C into a 20–30 °C mould with 0.2–0.6 % shrinkage — dry pellets/filament to <250 ppm to prevent hydrolytic MW loss.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to PLA. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
3D printing
| Technologies | FDM |
|---|---|
| Layer height | 50 – 300 µmdefault 100 µm |
| Minimum wall / feature | 1 / 0.5 mm |
| Build envelope | 300 × 300 × 380 mm |
| Supports | Yes |
| Anisotropy | Moderate |
PLA chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| D-lactide unitshigher D content = more amorphous, lower Tm; 3DP grades ~4 % | 0.5 – 12 | 4 |
| residual lactide monomerISO/producer spec | 0 – 0.3 | 0.1 |
| nucleating agent / chain extendertalc, epoxy-functional oligomer in HT and IM grades | 0 – 3 | 0.5 |
| impact modifier (PBAT / acrylic core-she5–15 % in Tough / PLA+ variants | 0 – 15 | 0 |
| pigment / masterbatchcoloured filament | 0 – 4 | 2 |
| poly(L-lactide) (PLLA)backbone from fermented plant starch (corn/sugarcane) | ≥ 88 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on PLA?
Sand wet with 400–2000 grit, then polish or spray with acrylic/2K primer; acetone smoothing does not work (use ethyl-acetate wipe or UV/epoxy coat), and painting after a light key gives the most durable finish.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on polymer parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Coating
Coloring
Metallization / Functional
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to PLA in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- PLA Plus
- Also called
- Polylactic AcidPolylactide
How much does PLA cost?
PLA is a budget-cost polymer ($), cheaper than about 100% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
PLA — frequently asked
What is PLA used for?
PLA is typically used for concept models, quick visual prototypes, form and fit-check parts, architectural and display models, low-temperature assembly jigs and master patterns for silicone moulds. In short: easy printable bioplastic.
What is the yield strength of PLA?
PLA has a typical yield strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) and a tensile strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) — weaker than 53% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is PLA easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades). Machines easily with sharp single-flute cutters, high rpm and low feed, but heat build-up melts and re-welds chips — use air blast, avoid coolant with hot water, and expect brittle edge chipping when drilling.
Can PLA be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Hot-plate, ultrasonic and friction welding all work below ~200 °C; solvent bonding with dichloromethane or ethyl acetate gives strong joints, and cyanoacrylate/epoxy adhere well after light sanding.
What surface finishes work on PLA?
Sand wet with 400–2000 grit, then polish or spray with acrylic/2K primer; acetone smoothing does not work (use ethyl-acetate wipe or UV/epoxy coat), and painting after a light key gives the most durable finish.
Can PLA be formed, bent or molded?
Prints at 190–220 °C nozzle / 50–60 °C bed with almost no warp and no enclosure needed; injection moulds at 185–215 °C into a 20–30 °C mould with 0.2–0.6 % shrinkage — dry pellets/filament to <250 ppm to prevent hydrolytic MW loss.
What is the maximum service temperature of PLA?
PLA is rated for continuous use to about 50°C (122 °F), and briefly to 65°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does PLA cost?
PLA is a budget-cost polymer ($), cheaper than about 100% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in PLA?
Yes — PLA is available for 3D printing with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Ingeo Biopolymer 4043D / 3D850 / 2003D Technical Data Sheets — NatureWorks LLC (2023)
- Luminy PLA Grade Portfolio (L105, LX175, PLA+ blends) — TotalEnergies Corbion (2023)
- ISO 527-2 / ISO 178 / ISO 75-2 plastics test methods — ISO (2019)
- ASTM D638 / D256 / D648 / D792 — ASTM International (2022)
- CAMPUS Plastics — PLA datasets — CWFG / CAMPUS consortium (2024)
- Materials and the Environment / CES eco-property data for PLA — Ashby (Butterworth-Heinemann) (2021)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.