{"id":12897,"date":"2023-09-27T22:46:21","date_gmt":"2023-09-28T01:46:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/impresion3d.website\/?p=12897"},"modified":"2023-09-27T22:57:02","modified_gmt":"2023-09-28T01:57:02","slug":"types-of-pla-filaments-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/impresion3d.website\/en\/types-of-pla-filaments-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"Types of PLA Filaments Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"

Imagine exploring a range of PLA filaments, each with its own unique characteristics and applications, while maintaining the simplicity of printing you love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you're eager to take your 3D printing to the next level and want to discover a world beyond basic PLA, you're in the right place. You don't have to dive into a sea of aimless options, because we're here to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We invite you to dive into our article, your ultimate guide to choosing the perfect PLA filament. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We'll explore the different types of PLA filaments available, show you what they're ideal for, and reveal the brands that will give you the most outstanding results. Don't miss the opportunity to take your 3D creations to the next level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Different types? How many types of PLA are there?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

PLA itself is a biodegradable thermoplastic derived from natural resources such as corn starch or sugar cane. From this basic PLA, numerous variants have been developed to meet specific printing needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most PLA filament variants with special properties are produced by a fusion process, where additional components are incorporated that modify their characteristics in various ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These additional components may include wood particles that give a natural look and feel to the prints. Tiny metallic particles can also be incorporated to give a metallic look and feel to printed objects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another approach is to change the color or even give unique properties to the filament, such as the ability to glow in the dark or glow under black light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Imagine being able to print with glow-in-the-dark PLA, or perhaps explore magnetic PLA, where the magic of 3D printing combines with magnetized strength. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Would you like your projects to be as elegant as marble? Marble PLA allows you to achieve that distinguished look in your creations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below, we will discuss some of the most common PLA filament types and their applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of PLA filament to choose from<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Strong PLA (PLA+ or PLA Pro)<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"PLA
PLA+ is an improved variant of conventional PLA.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

PLA+ is an improved variant of conventional PLA. Offers greater strength and durability<\/strong>, making it ideal for functional parts and prototypes that require greater robustness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is easy to print and retains the biodegradability of the original PLA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PLA+ is a general term for filaments that enhance some aspect of the basic PLA, so the properties of one brand's PLA+ filament will vary significantly from another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PolyLite PLA Pro<\/a> by Polymaker is an exceptional solution for increased strength and durability without sacrificing the ease of use we value so highly in PLA filaments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This filament, PolyLite Pro, achieves a remarkable balance by combining the characteristic stiffness of conventional PLA with flexibility and remarkable impact resistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flexible\/soft PLA<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Flexible
Flexible PLA is a soft filament with a rubbery consistency, similar to TPU.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Flexible or soft PLA is a filament that allows the printing of flexible parts, such as seals, gaskets or phone cases. It offers some flexibility without losing the ease of printing characteristic of PLA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soft PLA tends to be more flexible than TPU filaments, making it an excellent choice for insoles, phone cases and more high-wear parts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As with any flexible filament, soft PLA can pose certain challenges<\/strong> during use, especially if your printer is equipped with a Bowden extruder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often, a phase of experimentation is required to properly adjust the print settings and achieve optimal results, making it less than ideal for those new to 3D printing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, once you have mastered the peculiarities of this material, flexible PLA becomes a valuable solution for a wide range of projects, offering unique properties and benefits that make the investment of time and effort worthwhile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The filament line Flexible PLA from Sainsmart<\/a>, is one of the options for flexible PLA brands available on Amazon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wood PLA<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"\"
Wood PLA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Wood PLA contains real wood fibers, which gives prints an authentic wood look and feel. It is excellent for projects that require a rustic look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This produces prints of the same color and texture as real wood. You can also sand, stain and seal your prints similar to an all-wood object. The small amount of PLA present acts as a bonding agent to hold the wood pulp together and allows you to print it like any other PLA filament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although there are numerous options of wood-filled PLA filament available on the market, our main recommendation is to PolyWood<\/a> from Polymaker. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This filament uses a special foam instead of wood fiber to achieve the look and feel of wood, without the risk of clogging your printer nozzle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it is important to note that PolyWood is not composed of real wood materials, it has the advantage that you can still apply conventional woodworking techniques and products, such as staining and sealing, to achieve results very similar to real wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silk PLA or Silk<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Silk
Silk PLA or Silk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Silk PLA, also known as Silk PLA, has a shiny finish and a silky smooth texture. It is ideal for decorative pieces and sculptures, as it reflects light in a unique way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you're looking to give your 3D prints a truly eye-catching finish, silk PLA filament is the perfect choice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of PLA filament provides a level of surface gloss that is between glossy and matte, providing a distinctive look to your creations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prints made with silk PLA often exhibit a subtly metallic sheen and sometimes have a slight translucency. This makes it an ideal choice for projects that require a touch of elegance and style, such as decorative items and accessories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For silk PLA, we recommend the brand Overture<\/a> . They have 10 single color and 9 two-color strands available in their silk line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matte PLA<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"PLA
Pla Mate<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Matte PLA has an opaque finish that avoids glare and reflections. This makes it perfect for design projects and mock-ups where a more sober and professional look is sought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matte PLA filament makes it more difficult to detect layer lines in finished 3D prints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although most PLA prints have a glossy texture, matte PLA filament is characterized by its flat, opaque surface finish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of filament becomes the ideal choice when your 3D prints require a more natural and organic look. It is also an excellent choice for projects that need to be photographed, as its matte surface minimizes light reflections and layer lines, compared to glossy PLA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to matte PLA filaments, our top recommendation is to PolyMaker<\/a>This brand offers a wide range of matte color options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rainbow PLA<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Rainbow
Image: forum.prusa3d.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Rainbow PLA filament is an exceptional choice for creating vases and other decorative objects that give off a touch of originality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You don't need a dual extruder printer to achieve multi-color prints when using this type of filament. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rainbow PLA is, in fact, one of the most varied options available, with several bright colors extruded into a single strand. This feature allows you to add personality and style to any 3D printing project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important to mention that the special properties of rainbow PLA filament are limited to aesthetic aspects. Therefore, you can use it interchangeably with conventional PLA. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to its colorful design, it stands out especially in decorative items, toys, vases and other projects that seek to stand out visually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are looking for a quality rainbow PLA filament, we recommend the brand SUNLU<\/a>. Its spools include six colors that change every 15 to 18 meters, which is perfect for obtaining multiple colors in most 3D prints. In addition, you can choose between regular surface finishes or with silk effect<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clear\/transparent PLA<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Transparent
Transparent PLA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Clear or transparent PLA filaments, as the name suggests, function and behave similarly to standard PLA, but with the particularity of printing in a semi-translucent form. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These filaments are ideal for printing containers or bottles where you want the contents to be visible from the outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, they are an excellent aesthetic choice for the fabrication of electronic device housings, such as transparent consoles and controllers, or in projects involving internal light sources that are desired to shine through the plastic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When working with transparent PLA, you must take into account certain 3D printing configurations<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, if you use fill, it will be visible in the final product, so it may be necessary to adjust the fill pattern or even omit it, depending on the desired result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also important to consider the amount of outer layers used, as this will affect the opacity of the print.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for the brand of transparent PLA we recommend, Geeetech<\/a> is an excellent choice. With a suggested printing temperature of between 190 \u00b0C and 210 \u00b0C, this filament is a bit above the usual PLA 3D printing temperatures, but still performs optimally, even in entry-level 3D printers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PLA hyper (for high speed printing)<\/h3>\n\n\n
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PLA Hyper<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Hyper PLA filaments, as the name suggests, are designed to print at higher speeds<\/strong> than traditional PLA filaments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These filaments are ideal when you need to speed up your printing process without compromising accuracy or print quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although you may not need high-speed PLA filament if you use a standard 3D printer, if you have a fast 3D printer, you'll see significant benefits<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The filament line Creality Hyper PLA<\/a>For example, it can print up to 10 times faster than standard PLA due to its high flow rate and shorter cooling time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reducing cooling time is crucial to avoid warping of prints, an occasional problem with standard PLA when printing at high speeds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

High-speed PLA also improves hardness and impact resistance, making it an excellent choice for industrial and prototyping applications, enabling the efficient production of solid and accurate prints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PLA that glows in the dark<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Glow
Image: thingiverse<\/a> | PLA Glow in the Dark<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Having a glow-in-the-dark PLA filament can be especially useful during the Halloween season or for projects involving luminescent elements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glow-in-the-dark PLA, although it prints in the same configurations as standard PLA filament, contains highly abrasive additives, similar to metallic PLA. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is advisable to consider using a hardened steel nozzle or having spare brass nozzles on hand.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are several brands on Amazon that offer glow-in-the-dark filaments, one of our favorites is Overture<\/a>. Its glow-in-the-dark filament is green in color and is designed to have a higher softening point, which helps prevent clogging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can try other brands according to the color of their gloss.<\/strong>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n