PLA 3NTR

The 3NTR PLA filament is a material ideal for aesthetic applications thanks to its naturally glossy finish. It was designed and manufactured by the Italy based manufacturer of industrial 3D printers and filament, 3NTR.

PLA (polylactic acid) is one of the most popular 3D printing materials and a very affordable one too. Together with ABS, it was the first 3D printing material available when additive manufacturing was making its first steps. PLA is a biodegradable (around 3 months in ideal commercial composting conditions) plastic obtained from fermented starch extracted from plants such as wheat, beets or corn, which makes PLA an environmentally friendly 3D printing material.

Another reason for PLA’s popularity is that it is easy and safe to 3D print. PLA can be printed on almost any 3D FDM printer at relatively low temperatures, around 180-230 °C, although it may vary from material to material. What’s more, PLA doesn’t require a hot bed but it can be used at around 60-70 ºC to ensure good adhesion. The ideal printing speed for PLA is around 60 mm/s and the use of a fan is recommended. As a general rule PLA has very low warping tendencies. As far as 3D printing safety, PLA is non-toxic and non-fuming, which eliminates the need for special ventilation and breathing equipment.

PLA is available in countless colors options and advanced specialistic variations, such as PLA with copper particles for antibacterial applications, reflective PLA, multicolor PLA, PLA with metallic, wooden and stone finishes, conductive PLA, ESD safe PLA, air purifying PLA, and so on.

PLA cannot be machined like ABS but it can be coated, for example with the XTC-3D coating, to achieve a smooth surface. Even if not coated, PLA yields a naturally glossy finish to the 3D printed pieces, which is another reason for its popularity in the 3D printing community. There are also many PLA filaments with modified surface finishes to satisfy the needs of any project. For thatThis surface finish versatility (with or without processing) is the reason why PLA is often used to make decorative pieces and non-functional prototypes.

Some of the most common applications of PLA include:

• Food packaging (non-toxicity).
• Medical bone fixation devices (non-toxicity).
• Textile industry (breathability and lightness).
• Cosmetics sector (eco-friendly packaging option).
• Construction work and interior design (carpet fibers, insulation foam or non load bearing furniture).
• 3D prototyping (ease of printing and low cost).

PLA is an extremely versatile plastic with many benefits. Even though toughness and resistance are not its strengths, PLA has its great aesthetics and a wide range of blends to offer for the manufacturing of visually attractive prototypes, personalized decorations, safe and eco-friendly packaging, and light fibers. All of this can be achieved in an effortless and affordable way with PLA.