Blue PLA Basic

PLA (polylactic acid) is a biodegradable plastic that is obtained from natural resources, specifically it's obtained from the starch extracted from corn, beets and wheat.

PLA is one of the most used materials in 3D printing today because it doesn't give off harmful gases and its ease of printing. The ease of use of this material derives from different factors:

1. It doesn't require a hot bed, although if it is available, it is recommended to use it at around 60ºC.
2. It's generally printed at low temperatures (between 190ºC and 220ºC).
3. It's a material with an almost non-existent warping (warping is the deformation of the pieces with respect to the base).

The few technical requirements of this material make it possible to print on almost any FDM 3D printer on the market.

The finish of the pieces printed in PLA stands out for its glossy finish, which makes it a widely used material for the manufacture of aesthetic or decorative pieces, as well as for the production of non-functional prototypes.

Unlike ABS (another of the most widely used materials in 3D printing), PLA cannot be drilled, painted or sanded. Despite these differences, PLA is a more stable and easier to print plastic than ABS. In addition, if you want to obtain extraordinary surface finishes in the PLA, it is recommended to use coatings specifically designed for 3D printing, such as XTC-3D or Nanovia Spray coating. To obtain higher 3D printing yields, it is advisable to cover the printer bed with Blue Tape, BuildTak, Magigoo or 3DLac, products that you can find in the accessories category.

Material	PLA Basic	ABS Basic
Biodegradable
Hygroscopic
Machining possible
Coating possible
Requires Hot bed
Warping tendency
Gives off odors

Table 1: Comparison of printing properties and characteristics of PLA and ABS Basic.

PLA Basic Blue filament is a biopolymer that presents benefits for the environment as it is made from renewable resources. This filament is made in Europe. PLA Basic Blue is a permanent and odorless polymer that comes in 1 Kg spools and in diameters of 1.75 mm and 2. 85 mm, making it compatible with almost any FDM / FFF 3D printer on the market. PLA Basic Blue is the easiest material to 3D print on FDM / FFF Technology 3D printers.

The PLA Basic Blue filament is made of PLA INGEO 3D850 without the incorporation of recovered material. Thus, PLA Basic Blue is a material with high resolution, rigidity, and low shrinkage. It has a higher hot melt index than other PLAs and excellent adhesion to printing surfaces, a feature that optimizes the quality of the first layer and minimizes the risk of warping or deformation.

However, the highlight of the PLA Basic Blue is its improved mechanical properties, its impact resistance and its resistance to high temperatures. PLA Basic Blue exhibits faster crystallization rates, and is capable of developing resistance to temperatures of up to 90 ºC until reaching its softening temperature. Thanks to all these properties, PLA Basic allows printing glossy pieces with good resistance to impact and temperature, generating less carbon footprint than ABS.

In addition to all the properties conferred by the PLA Ingeo 3D850, PLA Basic Blue stands out from other PLA filaments for its great value for money; offering very good results at an affordable and competitive price.

It should be noted that PLA Basic Blue is a hygroscopic material, which means that it absorbs moisture from the air. This can cause a decrease in print quality. To keep the filament free of moisture, it is recommended to store the spools in vacuum containers such as those from PrintDry or use a PrintDry II filament dryer.

More information for optimal results can be found in the usage tips tab using PLA Basic Blue filament in your 3D printer.