The PDF for PLA: A Comprehensive Guide To Common 3D Printing Filament

Starting out as a 3D printing novice can be incredibly intimidating, especially when selecting the right filament. I mean there are so many options and types of filament to choose from. So the question remains, which one should you buy? In this article I will go over several types of filament as well as their pros and cons, general uses, and any other knowledge I have to give. PLA First on the docket is PLA or Polylactic Acid. PLA is a versatile filament that is equal parts cheap, and easy to use. PLA is an environmentally friendly polymer made primarily of corn starch. It makes 3D printing easy and breaks down in industrial recycling plants. Now let's get into the more technical side of things. Average price: 20$/Kilogram The low price point is one of the reasons PLA is the #1 choice of 3D printer-heads around the world. Average Printing Temperature: 190-220C This is the average printing temperature for PLA. Health Risks: Minimal PLA also does not emit any toxic fumes but it does emit a small amount of microplastics that can be dangerous through prolonged exposure however, if the room you are printing in is well ventilated you should be fine.

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Strength and Resistance: Low Sure, PLA works for fun desk toys, figurines, and indoor functional prints, but for anything that needs to stand the test of time against the elements, I would look into PETG filament. Which just so happens to be up next. My PLA Recommendation SUNLU Matte Black PLA Filament I have used this filament ever since I got my 3D printer almost two years ago and I haven't had a single problem with the filament exclusively. It is an incredible choice that I would highly recommend to any new 3D printing user.

PETG The astl filament on the list is PETG or Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol. PETG is a super strong filament and has many uses for those fixes that need a little more strength. Now that we're done with that overview, let's get technical. Average Price: 21$/Kilogram PETG is also a very common choice of 3D printer-heads around the world because of it's cost to strength ratio.

Average Printing Temperature: Around 230C PETG requires a much higher printing temperature than PLA. Credits

Strength and Resistance: Medium PETG may not be the best for desk toys and figurines like PLA but, it has amazing applications for things like replacing a busted part on a power tool or just general fixes in and around your house because of it's high strength. Health Risks: Minimal Like PLA, PETG has minimal health risks and it's fumes are safe to breathe in. Although, it is always recommended to print in a well ventilated room. Credits

Other Information: Difficult Adhesion PETG is very strong but comes with one setback, you may need to spend some time calibrating your printer to get it to stick to the bed. My PETG Recommendation SUNLU Matte Black PETG Filament I have not personally used SUNLU's matte black PETG but, I can testify for the quality of SUNLU's other products. So when if I ever need to buy PETG, SUNLU is my first choice. Final Thoughts In conclusion, it all depends on what you want to do with your 3D printer. But, if you use this list, you can rest assured that you are getting the best information. Thank you for reading!