PLA vs. PLA+: Differences, Properties, and Comparison Guide
PLA vs. PLA+ is difficult to discern which one is best for the project when deciding between PLA vs PLA+ filament. Polylactic Acid (PLA) and PLA+ materials share similarities, and there are notable differences in their mechanical properties, ease of printing, and cost. The PLA is the most used filament in fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printers. It is affordable, readily available, and easy to print. However, it lacks the mechanical strength required for load-bearing applications compared to PLA+. PLA+ is an improved version of Polylactic Acid (PLA), containing additives that improve its strength and toughness, offering better layer-to-layer adhesion than conventional PLA.
Understanding the difference between PLA and PLA+ is essential for determining which material best suits the project's needs. PLA Plus vs PLA provides a comparison that highlights how PLA+ offers improved mechanical properties, making it suitable for more demanding applications.
PLA+ incorporates modifiers that improve its toughness, making it a preferred choice over PLA in cases for parts requiring greater durability.
PLA Definition and Comparison to PLA+
The PLA definition and comparison to PLA+ highlight key differences in mechanical strength and printing ease, helping users choose the best material for their 3D printing needs. PLA is one of the most used thermoplastics. PLA is made from lactic monomers extracted from natural sources (corn or sugarcane), unlike other thermoplastics, which are petroleum-based. Polylactic acid was first synthesized through polycondensation in 1845 by Théophile-Jules Pelouze. Wallace Hume Carothers and his team synthesized PLA into a polymer material in 1932. Dupont later patented the process in 1954.
PLA is eco-friendly and biodegradable since it is derived from natural sources. It exhibits characteristics similar to polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE). PLA is used in 3D printers, injection molding machines, and extruders. PLA is preferred over PLA+ for general-purpose 3D printing because it is easy to print, does not require a heated build platform, and is highly affordable.
What are the Advantages of PLA Compared to PLA+?
The Advantages of PLA Compared to PLA+ are listed below.
- Ease of Printing: PLA is known for being one of the easiest filaments to print with. It has a lower printing temperature and does not require a heated bed, making it ideal for beginners. PLA+ requires slightly higher printing temperatures and a heated bed to ensure optimal adhesion and minimize warping. The answer to the question ‘Is PLA+ better than PLA for ease of printing? PLA+ is an improvement in strength, and PLA remains simpler to print for users new to 3D printing.
- Low Cost: PLA filament is more affordable than PLA+, making it an attractive option for hobbyists and large-scale prints. PLA+ costs more due to additives that enhance its strength and durability. The cost is one of the key advantages of PLA for projects where cost-efficiency is a priority when comparing PLA vs PLA.
- Eco-Friendly: PLA is biodegradable and made from renewable resources, making it an environmentally friendly option for 3D printing. PLA+ boasts eco-friendly properties, but the added chemicals and additives slightly alter its biodegradability. PLA filament is preferred in applications where sustainability is a key concern.
What Are the Disadvantages of PLA Compared to PLA+?
The Disadvantages of PLA compared to PLA+ are listed below.
- Brittleness: PLA is more brittle compared to PLA+, which results in cracks or breaks under stress or impact. PLA's lack of flexibility makes it unsuitable for parts that need to withstand mechanical stress. PLA+ overcomes limitations by increasing toughness and strength, offering better impact resistance and durability for more demanding applications. The added PLA+ strength makes PLA+ a better choice for parts requiring more resilience.
- Low Heat Resistance: PLA softens at relatively low temperatures around 60°C (140°F), which is problematic for items exposed to heat. PLA+ addresses the issue by offering higher heat resistance, making it more suitable for functional parts exposed to warmer environments. The answer to the question, ‘What temperature does PLA soften? PLA softens at a lower temperature compared to PLA+, which withstands higher temperatures due to its improved thermal stability.
PLA+ Definition and Comparison to PLA
The PLA+ definition and comparison to PLA highlight how PLA+ offers improved strength and durability, making it a better choice for more demanding 3D printing applications compared to standard PLA. PLA+ is derived from standard Polylactic Acid (PLA) and is produced by adding modifiers or additives during the polymer formulation or post-processing stages. Several types of PLA+ (Prusa PLA+, eSUN PLA+, and Hatchbox PLA+) are available on the market, each manufactured by a different company. The exact formulations used to create each PLA+ variant are proprietary and considered trade secrets, so there is no universally defined or standardized composition for PLA+.
PLA+ addresses some limitations associated with standard PLA. It exhibits improved tensile strength, ductility, and impact resistance, making it more suitable for applications requiring greater mechanical performance (light load-bearing components). PLA+ withstands slightly higher temperatures than standard PLA, allowing it to be used in warmer service conditions. However, it lags behind materials (PETG or ABS) in heat resistance. PLA+ printed parts tend to exhibit a smoother surface finish and improved aesthetic quality compared to standard PLA. The improvement is due to reduced surface porosity and better layer adhesion, which contribute to a more refined appearance.
"PLA and PLA+ are thermoplastic filaments derived from polylactic acid, commonly used in fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing. Both materials share strong printability and biodegradability, yet differ significantly in mechanical and thermal performance. PLA is cost-effective and ideal for general-purpose or prototyping applications, while PLA+, formulated with proprietary modifiers, exhibits higher tensile strength, flexibility, and heat resistance. The study concludes that PLA+ extends the utility of standard PLA into light functional roles, though at the expense of higher cost and slightly greater printing complexity, marking it as the performance-enhanced evolution of the base polymer."
PLA vs. PLA+: Applications Comparison
The PLA vs. PLA+ application comparison highlights that PLA is ideal for prototyping and simple prints, while PLA+ is better suited for more durable, functional parts that require improved strength and heat resistance. PLA and PLA+ are used in non-colored food packaging for products with short shelf lives, biomedical devices, and textiles. However, these applications rely on standard, unmodified PLA in regulated industries where material certification is required. PLA+ extends the usability of PLA by offering improved mechanical and thermal performance. It is suitable for additional applications, including automotive interior components (trim pieces, door panels, and floor mats) in low-stress, non-structural roles. Standard PLA is well-suited for low load-bearing applications and moderate temperature environments (below 50°C). PLA+ is used in similar applications where improved strength, impact resistance, or elevated heat tolerance (up to 60-75°C) is desired.
PLA vs. PLA+: Part Accuracy Comparison
The PLA vs. PLA+ part accuracy comparison reveals that while they offer good print precision, PLA+ tends to provide better layer adhesion and less warping. It makes it more reliable for achieving high-accuracy prints in larger or more complex parts. PLA-printed parts tend to have lower dimensional accuracy compared to PLA+. They shrink as they cool when parts are printed via fused deposition modeling (FDM) printer. Dimensional accuracy in FDM printing is not a fixed material property; typical tolerances depend on printer calibration, nozzle size, layer height, and process control rather than whether PLA or PLA+ is used.
PLA vs. PLA+: Speed Comparison
The PLA vs. PLA+ speed comparison shows that PLA prints faster due to its lower extrusion temperature. PLA+ requires slightly more time due to its higher temperature and improved layer adhesion. Standard PLA parts are printed faster than PLA+ parts. Average print speeds using standard PLA filaments are around 40-100 mm/s, while print speeds for PLA+ average 40-80 mm/s.
PLA vs. PLA+: Surface Comparison
The PLA vs. PLA+ surface comparison demonstrates that PLA has a smoother finish, while PLA+ offers a more durable and slightly textured surface, making it ideal for parts requiring extra strength and impact resistance. PLA-printed parts have a relatively rough surface texture due to the extrusion process used for printing. Smooth, shiny surfaces are achieved on PLA parts with post-processing. PLA+ printed parts tend to have smoother, glossier surfaces as-printed.
PLA vs. PLA+: Heat Resistance Comparison
The PLA vs. PLA+ heat resistance comparison highlights that PLA has relatively low heat resistance and begins to soften near its glass transition temperature of approximately 55–60 °C. PLA+ withstands higher temperatures, making it more suitable for applications exposed to heat. PLA+ formulations have better heat resistance than PLA. It is because PLA+ contains additives that allow it to maintain its mechanical properties at higher temperatures than standard PLA. However, not every PLA+ material has better heat resistance than PLA. Some PLA+ materials have equivalent heat resistance to standard PLA.
PLA vs. PLA+: Biodegradability Comparison
The PLA vs. PLA+ biodegradability comparison shows that PLA and PLA+ are biodegradable, as they are derived from renewable resources (corn starch). PLA has a higher degree of biodegradability than PLA+, as PLA is derived from plant materials (cornstarch and sugarcane). PLA+ is biodegradable to a certain extent. However, it is not as environmentally friendly as standard PLA because of the additives used to make PLA+. Check the material data sheet of the PLA+ grade you’d like to purchase, particularly if biodegradability is a critical consideration.
PLA vs. PLA+: Toxicity Comparison
The PLA vs. PLA+ toxicity comparison indicates that PLA and PLA+ are non-toxic and considered safe for general use, as they are derived from plant-based materials. PLA+ is not toxic, but PLA+ contains additives not used in standard PLA. It is because the additives used in PLA+ are non-toxic elastomers such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Toxicity levels are the same between PLA and PLA+.
PLA vs. PLA+: Cost Comparison
The PLA vs. PLA+ cost comparison shows that PLA is more affordable due to its simpler composition. PLA+ tends to be more expensive due to the additives that enhance its strength and durability. Standard PLA costs [$15 to 20] per kg of filament. PLA+ starts at $25/kg and can reach $35/kg.
Frequently Asked Questions About PLA vs. PLA+
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