

Netherlands-based Colorfabb specialises in the development and production of filaments for FDM/FFF 3D printing. The company is constantly developing new materials, including special purpose filaments such as LW ASA, LW PLA, Laser Marking PLA and Varioshore TPU.
Due to the composition of some materials, they are not suitable for post-processing by laser marking or cutting. The process could generate gases, dusts or flames hazardous to the user or the laser cutting and engraving machine.
Laser Marking PLA is a PLA-based filament with additives to achieve a material optimised for safe laser engraving and optimum results. The composition of this material makes it possible to print 3D parts that can be engraved with a laser cutting and engraving machine.
Due to its composition, Laser Marking PLA filament has similar properties to conventional PLA.
PLA, polylactic acid, is a biodegradable plastic composed of starch extracted from corn, sugar beet and wheat. It is one of the most widely used materials in FDM/FFF 3D printing due to its ease of 3D printing, as well as the fact that it does not emit harmful gases.
Thanks to the additives added to the PLA base, Colorfabb has made this filament sensitive to laser light, optimised for a wavelength of 980 - 1064 nm. Parts 3D printed with this filament have been successfully tested with neodymium and fibre laser engraving, and are not compatible with CO2 lasers.
Laser engraving on Laser Marking PLA filament has numerous advantages:
Laser Marking PLA is an easy to use material that, together with a laser engraving machine, allows for a wide variety of applications, among them:
The use of Laser Marking PLA filament allows parts to be manufactured with the ease of conventional PLA. It also has properties that allow long-lasting engravings to be made on 3D printed parts, with no risk of contamination for users or for the laser engraving machine.
General information |
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Material | PLA |
Format | 50 g / 750 g |
Density | 1.3 g/cm³ |
Filament diameter | 1.75 / 2.85 mm |
Filament tolerance | ± 0.05 mm |
Filament length | (Ø 1.75 mm - 0.75 Kg) ± 239 m / (Ø 1.75 mm - 0.05 Kg) ± 16 m / (Ø 2.85 mm - 0.75 Kg) ± 90 m / (Ø 2.85 mm - 0.05 Kg) ± 6 m |
Printing properties |
|
Printing temperature | 195 - 220 ºC |
Print bed temperature | 50 - 60 ºC |
Chamber temperature | ✗ |
Cooling fan | 100 % |
Recommended printing speed | 40 - 80 mm/s |
Mechanical properties |
|
Charpy impact strength | (ISO 179) 7 KJ/m² |
Elongation at break | (ISO 527) 6 % |
Tensile strength | (ISO 527) 45 MPa |
Tensile modulus | (ISO 527) 3400 MPa |
Flexural strength | - MPa |
Flexural modulus | - MPa |
Surface hardness | - |
Thermal properties |
|
Softening temperature | - ºC |
Specific properties |
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Transparency | - |
Other |
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HS Code | 3916.9 |
Spool diameter (outer) | - mm |
Spool diameter (inner hole) | - mm |
Spool width | - mm |
The process of 3D printing with Laser Marking PLA is very simple. This filament can be printed with almost any FDM 3D printer on the market, as long as it has a heated bed that reaches between 50 and 60 ºC, an extrusion temperature of between 195 - 220 ºC.
To improve the adhesion of the material to the printing surface and to facilitate the removal of the 3D printed parts, it is recommended to use a flexible base, such as BuildTak or Ziflex. A specific adhesive, such as Magigoo or DimaFix, can also be applied.
When laser engraving 3D printed parts with this filament, the user should be aware of its compatibility with laser cutting and engraving equipment. This material is optimised for a wavelength of 980 - 1064 nm, and is only recommended for use with neodymium and fibre laser cutting and engraving machines.
It is not recommended to work with CO2 laser cutting machines.