

PolyLite is a family of 3D printing filaments developed by Polymaker and manufactured with the best raw materials to offer exceptional quality and reliability. PolyLite covers the most popular 3D printing materials to meet everyday needs for design and prototyping or final part creation.
Polymaker's PolyLite LW-PLA filament is a PLA-based material that uses Polymaker's special foaming technology, giving parts 3D printed with PolyLite LW-PLA a weight approximately 50 % smaller than that of standard PLA. As opposed to most lightweight PLA materials, PolyLite LW-PLA is pre-foamed (passive foaming). This means that no actual foaming occurs during extrusion (active foaming), reducing the risk of potential clogging and blobs.
This makes the PolyLite LW-PLA filament easier to print than active foaming filaments since no adjustments need to be made to printing settings (extrusion multiplier, extrusion width, high printing temperature, printing flow, etc.), with the exception of a slight retraction increase. Interestingly enough, the lower the extrusion temperature, the better print quality will be achieved with PolyLite LW-PLA, with a beautiful matte surface finish and great detail. Thus, PolyLite LW-PLA can be 3D printed with regular PLA settings, with the extrusion temperature of 190-210 ºC, on a bed heated to 30-50 ºC and at a speed of 26-60 mm/s (preferably with the layer fan on).
The packaging in which Polymaker presents its filaments is highly studied and carefully designed to preserve the quality and condition of its filaments. In this case, PolyLite LW-PLA is presented inside a vacuum-sealed bag together with a desiccant sachet to prevent the filament from getting wet. This bag is self-sealing, so once the filament has been used, it can be put back into the bag. In addition, all of this is enclosed in a high quality printed box, to avoid knocks and breakages during shipping.
Polymaker's PolyLite LW-PLA is an ideal material for the additive manufacturing of parts that need lightweight but also an aesthetically pleasing surface finish, for example functional prototypes or even end-use objects such as RC planes.
General information |
|
Material | PLA |
Format | 0.8 kg |
Density | 0.8 g/cm³ |
Filament diameter | 1.75 mm |
Filament tolerance | ±0.05 mm |
Filament length | ±415.8 m |
Printing properties |
|
Printing temperature | 190 - 210 ºC |
Print bed temperature | 25 - 60 ºC |
Chamber temperature | Not necessary |
Cooling fan | ✓ |
Recommended printing speed | 30 - 50 mm/s |
Mechanical properties |
|
Charpy impact strength | (ISO 179) XY: 2.06 ± 0.19 / Z: - KJ/m² |
Elongation at break | (ISO 527) XY: 8.21 ± 0.87 / Z: 7.91 + 1.3 % |
Tensile strength | (ISO 527) XY: 23.2 ± 0.4 / Z: 14.5 ± 0.4 MPa |
Tensile modulus | (ISO 527) XY: 2636 ± 330 / Z: - MPa |
Flexural strength | (ISO 178) XY: 52.9 ± 0.3 / Z: - MPa |
Flexural modulus | (ISO 178) XY: 2607 ± 50 / Z: - MPa |
Surface hardness | - |
Thermal properties |
|
Melting temperature | (DSC @ 10°C/min) 150.8 ºC |
Softening temperature | (ISO 306) 60.3 ºC |
Other |
|
HS Code | 3916.9 |
Spool diameter (outer) | - mm |
Spool diameter (inner hole) | - mm |
Spool width | - mm |
Although the ideal printing temperature of PolyLite LW-PLA may vary for each 3D printer, the ideal printing temperature is between 190 and 210 ºC. If a heated bed is available, it is recommended to use the bed at a temperature between 25-60 °C.
It is advisable to use the layer fan. Because of this it is important to adjust the ideal temperature depending on the extruder used. PolyLite LW-PLA filament is suitable for any type of nozzle. In terms of printing speed, it is advisable to print at around 30-50 mm/s, although it is possible to print slower for 3D prints with a better finish.
The retraction distance for a 0.4 mm nozzle is 3 mm. Therefore, following this rule can be applied to any nozzle ratio.
PolyLite LW-PLA filament is moderately hygroscopic. In case the filament contains more moisture than it should, it is recommended to dry the filament in a dedicated drying machine such as the Print Dry Pro filament dryer at 55 ºC for 6 hours.
Moisture can cause errors and even failed 3D prints. To avoid it at all times and not require the use of a filament dryer, it is recommended to use Polybox during the entire printing process and then store the filament in the self-sealing bag provided by Polymaker.
The recommended support materials for PolyLite LW-PLA are PolySupport or PolyDissolve by Polymaker, and the best printing surface is BuildTak, glass or Blue Tape with a bit of glue.