PolySonic PLA PRO - High speed PLA

In order to take full advantage of the potential of high-speed FDM 3D printers, Polymaker designed the PolySonic line of filaments that includes PolySonic PLA and PolySonic PLA PRO. The PolySonic filaments offer ultrafast extrusion rates, supreme precision and great layer adhesion. On top of that, the PolySonic PLA PRO filament has increased toughness, durability, impact strength similar to ABS, and flexural strength significantly higher than ASA or PETG. From among the PolySonic filaments, this material answers the needs for rugged functional parts.

Image 1: Functional parts 3D printed with the PolySonic PLA PRO filament. Source: Polymaker.

The PolySonic PLA PRO filament fulfills the three key criteria for a high-speed filament. These criteria are flowability, formability, and functionality:

1. Flowability: The capability to extrude consistently (over 95 % accuracy) at 24 mm³/s on a standard extrusion system. The result is a higher throughput since it is possible to 3D print parts with the same surface and mechanical quality much faster. 
   
   

   

   Image 2: Comparison of extrusion efficiency between PolySonic PLA PRO and PolyLite PLA PRO at 190 ºC. Source: Polymaker.

2. Formability: Consistent surface quality at high extrusion speeds without underextrusion, holes, artifacts, layers with different thicknesses, or the so-called "shark skin phenomenon" (when surface finish varies from glossy to matte due to the extrusion temperature being the same despite higher printing speeds).
   
   

   

   Image 3: Surface quality comparison between PolySonic PLA PRO and standard PLA PRO. Source: Polymaker.
   
   

   With Polysonic PLA PRO, it is possible to extrude at higher temperatures (210-230 ºC) in comparison with standard PLA (190-210 ºC), and with flow rates up to 30 % higher than with standard PLA within the same temperature ranges.
   
   

   

   Image 4: Comparison of maximal flow rate between PolySonic PLA PRO and PolyLite PLA PRO. Source: Polymaker.

   Furthermore, thanks to the PolySonic PLA PRO's updated rheology, its transition from fluid to solid occurs with almost zero shrinking, resulting in sharp corners, fine details and steep overhangs even at high flow rates. This optimization has proven to increase production efficiency by up to 150 %.
3. Functionality: Thanks to the perfected cooling-melting rate, the PolySonic PLA PRO will produce parts with consistent mechanical properties even at printing speeds of 100-300 mm/s. When standard PLA is extruded at higher printing speeds than usual, the parts suffers a 24 % drop in mechanical properties. PolySonic PLA PRO, on the other hand, shows only a 6 % drop in mechanical properties from 50-100 mm/s printing speeds to 100-300 mm/s speeds.

Even though PolySonic PLA PRO was designed for very fast printing speeds, it is also possible to use standard PLA printing speeds of 50-100 mm/s as opposed to the 100-300 mm/s maximum printing speed for this filament. For the standard printing speeds the extrusion temperature range is 190-210 ºC and at printing speeds of 100-300 mm/s the PolySonic PLA PRO can be extruded at 210-230 ºC. This wide range of available printing temperatures and speeds makes the PolySonic PLA PRO filament a very versatile material that will give great results in both standard 3D printing contexts as well as high-speed printing applications.

Image 5: Part 3D printed with the PolySonic PLA PRO filament with inserts. Source: Polymaker.

Polymaker's PolySonic PLA PRO is an ideal material for the ultrafast additive manufacturing of functional prototypes or end-use products that need an excellent surface finish and consistent mechanical properties regardless of the printing speed. For general prototyping, modeling or decorative applications, see the high-speed PolySonic PLA filament by Polymaker.

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, PolySonic PLA PRO 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.