Economical Thermoplastic

PLA is a renewable plastic material offered as a low-cost material option for fast-draft part iterations.

Quick, economical design concepts available in 11 colour options, including transparent. Available on the office-friendly Stratasys F123™ Series 3D printers, PLA offers a higher stiffness than ABS and its low melting point and HDT mean less heat and power required to print parts.

PLA works well at high speeds, specifically fast-draft mode on the Stratasys F123 Series, for quick concept verification and design development.

PLA Material Properties

Behaviour and use

TENSILE STRENGTH

45 MPa (XZ Axis)
26 MPa (ZX Axis)

FLEXURAL STRENGTH

84 MPa (XZ Axis)
45 MPa (ZX Axis)

HDT

53°C

IZOD IMPACT, NOTCHED

27 J/m

Main Uses

PLA model material is ideal for quick concept and verification models with good tensile strength. This value-priced material is user-friendly and ideal for classroom environments and made from renewable resources.

Top Applications
  • Rapid Prototyping
  • Education
  • Sales and Marketing

PLA Printing with a Stratasys F123

Learn more about 3D printing PLA parts

Take a closer look at printing in PLA with a Stratasys F123 Series 3D Printer. PLA gives you the speed of fast-draft mode while keeping material expenses down. Spend less, create more.

The Stratasys F123 series  provides up to four different Fused Deposition Modeling materials (PLA, ABS-M30, ASA, PC-ABS) along with easy-to-remove soluble support material.

FDM Material Applications

Learn how designers and engineers are using FDM Materials

PLA Specification & Features

MECHANICAL
PROPERTIES
TEST
METHOD
ENGLISHMETRIC
XZ AXISZX AXISXZ axisZX axis
Tensile Strength, Yield
(Type 1, 0.125”, 0.2”/min)
ASTM D6386,580 psi3,790 psi45 MPa26 MPa
Tensile Strength, Ultimate
(Type 1, 0.125”, 0.2”/min)
ASTM D6386,990 psi3,830 psi48 MPa26 MPa
Tensile Modulus
(Type 1, 0.125”, 0.2”/min)
ASTM D638440,730 psi368,200 psi3,039 MPa2,539 MPa
Elongation at Break
(Type 1, 0.125”, 0.2”/min)
ASTM D6382.5%1.0%2.5%1.0%
Elongation at Yield
(Type 1, 0.125”, 0.2”/min)
ASTM D6381.5%1.0%1.5%1.0%
Flexural Strength
(Method 1, 0.05”/min)
ASTM D79012,190 psi6,570 psi84 MPa45 MPa
Flexural Modulus
(Method 1, 0.05”/min)
ASTM D790425,010 psi358,290 psi2,930 MPa2,470 MPa
Flexural Strain at BreakASTM D7904.1%1.9%4.1%1.9%
IZOD impact - notched
(Method A, 23 °C)
ASTM D2560.5 ft-lb/inN/A27 J/mN/A
IZOD impact - unnotched
(Method A, 23 °C)
ASTM D2563.6 ft-lb/inN/A192 J/mN/A

 

THERMAL PROPERTIESTEST METHODENGLISHMETRIC
Heat Deflection (HDT) @ 66 psiASTM D648127 °F53 °C
Heat Deflection (HDT) @ 264 psiASTM D648124 °F51 °C
Vicat Softening Temperature (Rate B/50)ASTM D1525129 °F54 °C
Glass Transition Temperature (Tg)DMA (SSYS)145 °F63 °C
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (flow)ASTM E83156x10 μin/(in∙°F)101x10 µm/(m∙°C)
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (xflow)ASTM E83157x10 µin/(in∙°F)102x10 µm/(m∙°C)

 

ELECTRICAL
PROPERTIES
TEST
METHOD
VALUE
XYZX
Volume ResistivityASTM D2572.9E+15 ohm-cm3.24E+15 ohm-cm
Dielectric ConstantASTM D150-981.512.33
Dissipation FactorASTM D150-980.0030.005
Dielectric StrengthASTM D149-09, Method A154 V/mil293 V/mil

 

OTHERTEST METHODVALUE
Specific GravityASTM D7921.264 g/cc

 

SYSTEM
AVAILABILITY
LAYER THICKNESS
CAPABILITY
SUPPORT
STRUCTURE
AVAILABLE
COLOURS
F123 Series0.010 in. (0.254 mm)BreakawayBlack
White
Light Gray
Medium Gray
Red
Blue
Natural Trans
Red Trans
Blue Trans
Yellow Trans
Green Trans

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Technology

Advantages of 3D printing PLA with a Stratasys FDM Machine

Tough long-lasting parts

FDM technology works with engineering-grade thermoplastics to build strong, long-lasting and dimensionally stable parts with the best accuracy and repeatability of any 3D printing technology. PLA parts are tough enough to be used as advanced conceptual models, functional prototypes, manufacturing tools and production parts.

Meet production demands

FDM systems are as versatile and durable as the parts they produce. Advanced FDM 3D Printers boast the largest build envelopes and material capacities in their class, delivering longer, uninterrupted build times, bigger parts and higher quantities than other additive manufacturing systems, delivering high throughput, duty cycles and utilization rates.

Gain new possibilities

FDM 3D Printers streamline processes from design through manufacturing, reducing costs and eliminating traditional barriers along the way. Industries can cut lead times and costs, products turn out better and get to market faster.

Compatible 3D Printers

Stratasys Machines that can print with PLA material

Stratasys F123 Polyjet

Stratasys F123

The Stratasys F123 series combines powerful FDM technology with design to print GrabCAD software for the most versatile and intelligent solution available

Need to 3D print with PLA?

Call us free at  1-877-219-6757  to speak to an expert, or send us your CAD model and we'll 3D print it with PLA material