Tier List

PLA

PLA • Polylactic Acid

A

The reigning king of additive manufacturing. Super easy to print, dirt cheap, and available everywhere in more colors than your retinas deserve. Excels at bridges and overhangs. Much more rugged than you'd expect.

standard
Print Settings
Print Temp190-220°C
Bed Temp45-60°C
Enclosure:Optional
Material Properties
Strength65
Flexibility15
Heat Resistance35
Resistance Ratings
UV Resistance
Low
Chemical Resistance
Low
Humidity Sensitivity
Medium
Usability
Ease of Printing
(Trivial)
Price Tier
$(Budget)
Pros
  • Extremely easy to print
  • Dirt cheap
  • Stiffest non-composite thermoplastic
  • Excellent tensile strength
  • Best bridges and overhangs
Cons
  • Softens in hot weather
  • Destroyed by UV light
  • Shatters when dropped
  • Can't sand, glue, or paint well
  • Creeps under constant load
Use Cases
PrototypesDecorative itemsModels and miniaturesCosplay propsGeneral purpose

Also known as: polylactic acid, standard pla, basic pla

Data sourced from Zack Freedman / Voidstar Lab