Materials / PLA
Polylactic acid
PLA 3D printing service
PLA is the most common 3D printing material: stiff, dimensionally accurate, and available in more colors than anything else. It is the right default for prototypes, fit checks, and fixtures that live indoors.
Quote in PLAData sheetPLA
| Heat tolerance | ~55 – 60 °C |
|---|---|
| Toughness | Stiff, brittle on impact |
| Outdoor / UV | Indoor |
| Flexible | No |
| Colors | Widest range |
| Layer height | 0.08 – 0.28 mm |
| Max part size | 256 × 256 × 256 mm |
| Quantity | 1 – 500 per order |
Fit for purpose
Where PLA works, and where it doesn't.
Good for
- Prototypes and fit checks
- Jigs, assembly aids, and inspection fixtures
- Enclosures, trays, and organizers used at room temperature
- Visual models where color and surface finish matter most
Properties
- High stiffness and good dimensional accuracy
- Crisp detail and a clean surface finish
- Widest range of colors
Things to consider
- Softens at around 55–60 °C, so it can deform in a hot car or in direct sun
- More brittle than PETG under impact
Compare
Other materials.
PETGTough, moisture resistant, flexes before it breaks~70 – 80 °CABSHolds shape near heat, sands well~95 – 100 °CASAABS toughness with UV stability for outdoor parts~95 – 100 °CTPUFlexible and tear resistant for seals and gripsFlexiblePLA-CFStiffer and lighter than PLA, matte finish~55 – 60 °CPETG-CFPETG toughness with added stiffness and a matte finish~70 – 75 °CPA-CFStrongest and most heat tolerant, for end-use parts~150 – 180 °CPCExtremely tough and heat tolerant, available clear~110 – 115 °C