Multipurpose Plastic · Commodity Thermoplastic
PLA
PLA is a multipurpose polymer — easy printable bioplastic. Typical values: 50 MPa yield, 1.24 g/cm³, rated to 60 °C. Available for 3D printing at FabDigit.
Properties
Typical room-temperature values in the Standard condition. Metric first, imperial in gray. The bars show where PLA sits against the other 74 polymer grades in the catalog.
Datasheet
| Yield strength | 50 MPa7 ksi |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 50 MPa7 ksi |
| Hardness | 85 Shore D |
| Density | 1.24 g/cm³0.045 lb/in³ |
| Specific strength (yield ÷ density) | 40 |
| Min service temp | -40 °C-40 °F |
| Max service temp | 60 °C140 °F |
| Electrical conductivity | < 0.001 % IACSinsulator |
| Machinability | Very good75 / 100 |
| Weldability | Excellent92 / 100 |
| Formability | Not recommended5 / 100 |
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Against other polymer grades
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.
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 |
Conditions and tempers
How PLA is supplied and what each state is for. The default is what FabDigit quotes unless your drawing says otherwise.
| Condition | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
StandardDefault Grade Modifier | Baseline grade — pick unless you need a special property below | — | — | — | — |
Tough Grade Modifier | Resists cracking in handling — functional prototypes | — | — | — | — |
Heat treatment and post-processing
Operations FabDigit's suppliers routinely run on PLA, ranked by how often they make sense for this grade.
Post-processing
| Manual Deburr | Deburrstandard |
|---|---|
| Edge Break (0.5mm) | Deburr |
| Heat-Stake Insert | Assembly |
| Ultrasonic Insert | Assembly |
| Laser Engrave | Marking |
| Press-fit Insert | Assembly |
| Silk Screen | Marking |
| CMM Inspection | Inspection |
| FAI Report | Inspection |
| Individual Bag | Packaging |
Surface finishes for PLA
Coatings and treatments compatible with polymer on the processes PLA runs on. Pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing.
Coating
- Clear Coating
- Conductive Coating
- EMI Shielding Coating
- Primer Coating
- Soft Touch Coating
- Tinted Coating
- UV Coating
- Waterproof Coating
Coloring
- Dyeing (Nylon)
- Painting
Metallization / Functional
- Vacuum Metallization
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 Acid
- Other
- PLA+
Stock forms
Raw-material forms FabDigit sources PLA in.
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.