Scallop PLA

Scallop PLA is one of the filaments of the family of biocomposite filaments developed by Francofil, a French 3D filament manufacturer.
In this range of biocomposite filaments you can find, in addition to scallop PLA, oyster PLA, mussel PLA, Coffee PLA and wheat PLA.

Image 1: Pieces printed with PLA Francofil filaments. Source: Francofil.

A material is considered a biocomposite when it is made up of a matrix (PLA) and a filler of natural material.

In the case of scallop PLA, the matrix of this filament is composed of PLA (polylactic acid), and added with by-products of scallop.

The scallop belongs to the family of bivalve mollusks, such as clams and oysters. The shell that covers the mollusk has a very representative and well-known wavy surface with grooves, since it serves as a symbol of the Camino de Santiago.

Biocomposite materials such as scallop PLA provide an alternative to those derived from petroleum.

PLA is a biodegradable plastic that is obtained from natural resources. Specifically, it is obtained from the starch extracted from corn, beets and wheat, and is one of the most used materials in 3D printing today.

By having a PLA base, this filament maintains the mechanical properties and ease of print of this material. PLA scallop does not require a heated bed, so it can be printed on almost any FDM 3D printer on the market. In addition, it does not give off harmful gases during the printing process.

Due to the particle content, it is recommended to use a nozzle with at least 0.5 mm outlet diameter to avoid possible clogging. By using a nozzle with a smaller output diameter, a jam could occur which would cause a print failure.

However, this filament does not require the use of a hardened steel nozzle, as the material particles are not abrasive.

Image 2: Filament and piece printed with PLA scallop. Source: Francofil.

The whitish color of the PLA scallop filament is naturally given by its content of wheat particles; while other filaments are added with artificial substances to achieve different colors or particular finishes.

Due to its nature, the color of the scallop PLA filament may vary from one batch to another, without implying in any case a manufacturing defect.

The tonality of this filament is reminiscent of a natural PLA, although it contains small particles with a certain shine that give it a particular finish. Pieces printed with PLA scallop offer a finish with a rustic touch.

This filament is very attractive for applications in the arts, design or decoration sector among others, such as the manufacture of sculptures, vases, and other types of objects with aesthetic value.

Image 3: Vases printed with biocomposite filaments. From left to right: PLA coffee, PLA wheat, PLA oyster, PLA mussel and PLA scallop. Source: Francofil.

Currently, companies from various sectors seek to generate a lower environmental impact. In this context, biocomposite filaments developed by Francofil may be a suitable option.

To read more about terms related to the environmental impact of materials, it is recommended to read the following article. 

Scallop PLA
Eco / Ecofriendly
Sustainable
Biodegradable
Compostable
Biocomposite
Recycling

Table 1: Scallop PLA filament characteristics.

For all these reasons, the scallop PLA filament is an ideal material for the development of artistic or decorative pieces, although it is also a recommended material for the manufacture of non-functional prototypes.

* In spite of being a biocomposite filament with a scallop content, this filament is not edible.