Your Payment Information Is Processed Securely. We Do Not Store Credit Card Details Nor Have Access To Your Credit Card Information.
PLA (Polylactic Acid) is a bio-based, biodegradable thermoplastic polyester classified as an environmentally friendly bio-based plastic. It is primarily derived from renewable plant resources such as corn starch, sugarcane and cassava. Unlike traditional petroleum-based plastics, PLA relies on biomass feedstock, delivering low-carbon, non-toxic performance suitable for everyday printing applications.
PLA is compatible with conventional petroleum-based plastic production equipment, keeping industrial production costs manageable. Its mechanical properties are comparable to general-purpose plastics, making it the most widely adopted base material in consumer-grade 3D printing.
Sourced from corn starch, sugarcane, cassava and other renewable plant resources — distinct from petroleum-based plastics, achieving low-carbon sustainability from the source.
Fully degradable under industrial composting conditions, aligning with green manufacturing and sustainable development goals.
No harmful volatile emissions during printing. Certified to REACH, RoHS, EU Food Contact, FDA and EN-71-3 Toy standards.
Compatible with conventional plastic production equipment. Industrial costs are manageable, making it affordable for batch prototyping and desktop printing.
Extrusion at 210-230°C, heated bed 45-60°C, compatible with desktop entry-level printers. Beginner-friendly.
Low thermal shrinkage. Minimal warping or edge lifting during printing, with controllable dimensional accuracy.
Bio-based, non-toxic, no harmful emissions and no odor during printing.
Stable melt flow delivers smooth surfaces and sharp details after cooling, without complex post-processing.
Can be directly sanded and painted. Support structures are easy to remove by hand.
Renewable raw materials, fully degradable under industrial composting conditions, meeting green manufacturing requirements.
Affordable raw material and filament prices, suitable for batch prototyping and desktop printing scenarios.
eSUN (Shenzhen Esun Industrial Co., Ltd.) has deep expertise in PLA materials — from pioneering PLA+ to developing foaming and toughening patented technologies, continuously driving performance breakthroughs and application expansion.
Compatible with mainstream FDM 3D printers, no special equipment required.
Low scrap rate, controllable forming accuracy.
Bio-based material with no harmful emissions.
Strong detail reproduction, smooth and sharp after cooling.
Renewable raw materials, industrially compostable.
| Feature | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Poor heat resistance | Softens and deforms above 60°C | Not suitable for high-temperature applications |
| High brittleness | Low impact strength and elongation at break, prone to cracking under external force | Toughness far below ABS, not suitable for load-bearing parts |
| Weak weather resistance | Prone to aging, embrittlement and degradation under prolonged sunlight or outdoor exposure | Not suitable for long-term outdoor use |
| Limited chemical resistance | Not resistant to some organic solvents, susceptible to corrosion | Prolonged contact with chemical reagents can damage structure |
Toughened modified PLA, solving the brittleness problem of early polylactic acid. Performs outstandingly in both cold and hot/humid environments. Certified to EU Food, FDA and EN-71-3 Toy standards.
Matte-surface PLA filament producing non-reflective, fine-textured prints — ideal for appearance parts and creative products.
Controlled microsphere foamed lightweight PLA, achieving a foaming ratio exceeding 2x, reducing part weight by 50% for models of the same size.
Investment-casting-grade PLA filament with combustion ash content below 0.3%. Combines high strength with high print precision, compatible with traditional investment casting workflows.
| Industry | Typical Applications | Material Value |
|---|---|---|
| 3D Printing Education & Makers | Primary mainstream material for K-12 and university maker education, training aids; individual maker creative models, figurines, ornaments and decorative pieces. | First-choice base material for entry-level teaching and creative prototyping — low print threshold, safe and non-toxic. |
| Industrial Design & R&D | Early-stage rapid prototype verification, appearance/structure modeling, design iteration. | Shortens R&D cycles; low warping and high precision; smooth finish ready for presentation. |
| Cultural & Consumer Goods | Creative merchandise, designer toys/figurines, home decor, personalized crafts, gift models. | Excellent surface finish and paint compatibility, suitable for refined creative product manufacturing. |
| Architecture | Building models, floor plans, landscape models, structural display samples. | High detail reproduction, meeting architectural presentation requirements. |
Certified to EU Food, FDA and EN-71-3 Toy standards, safe for children's toys and food-contact products.
A domestic customer used PLA+ to print an exhibition fighting robot — except for motors, main controller and individual load-bearing parts, everything was 3D printed, enabling bold and flexible design.
Low ash content (<0.3%), high strength and high precision. Compatible with traditional investment casting workflows. Applied in jewelry, aerospace and automotive part prototyping.
Compared with: PETG, ABS
| Dimension | PLA | PETG | ABS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Print Threshold & Equipment | Lowest melting point; stable forming on entry-level printers | Requires heated bed | Requires high-temp heated bed + enclosed chamber; highest equipment and tuning threshold |
| Forming & Yield Rate | Extremely low thermal shrinkage; virtually no warping or delamination | Prone to stringing; print tolerance below PLA | High warping risk |
| Eco-Friendliness & Safety | Bio-based, industrially compostable, no odor, no harmful emissions during printing | Petroleum-based, not naturally degradable | Petroleum-based, releases irritating fumes during printing |
| Positioning | First-choice base material for desktop entry-level printing, creative models, teaching aids and display parts | General-purpose choice balancing toughness and printability | High-strength, heat-resistant engineering applications |
| Parameter / Action | Recommended | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Extrusion Temperature | 210 - 230°C | Fine-tune based on specific brand and model |
| Heated Bed Temperature | 45 - 60°C | Enclosed print chamber not required |
| Enclosure (Yes/No) | NO | PLA is not heat-resistant; reduce chamber temperature to prevent clogging |
| Ambient Temperature | ≤ 32°C | Use air conditioning when temperature exceeds 32°C |
| Cooling Fan | On | PLA requires good cooling for optimal surface quality |
| Post-Processing | Can be directly sanded and painted | Support structures are easy to remove by hand |
Settings should be adjusted according to your printer, nozzle and model geometry. This guide does not replace the official parameter sheet for a specific grade.