Maya Ellison
Polylactic Acid (PLA) is one of the most popular 3D printing plastics. It is derived from renewable resources such as corn starch and sugarcane and is known for its rigidity, low cost, and ease of printing. However, PLA has poor heat resistance, making it less suitable for certain applications. If you're looking for an alternative to PLA, there are several other plastics with similar properties, including PETG, ABS, nylon, and polycarbonate. Each of these materials has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice depends on the specific requirements of your project.
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What You'll Learn
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol-Modified)
Polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified, commonly known as PETG or PET-G, is a thermoplastic polyester. It is derived from two monomers, with the addition of glycol, which gives it distinct chemical properties from PET. PETG is a durable, cost-effective, and easy-to-use plastic that is growing in popularity among both businesses and consumers. It is fully recyclable and provides significant chemical resistance and excellent formability for manufacturing.
The "PET" in PETG is a polyester that was first discovered in 1931 and later commercialized as Terylene. The "G" stands for glycol, which was added to improve the material's thermal properties and create a less uniform polymer chain. PETG is a chemically stable petroleum-based plastic and is not biodegradable. It is also highly viscous, prone to stringing, and more expensive than PLA.
As a 3D printing filament, PETG has become a popular material for various applications, including surgical fracture tables, the automotive industry, and aeronautics. It is also used in the fabrication of traffic signs and the manufacture of LED spotlights. The surface properties of PETG can be modified to make it self-cleaning. It can be easily vacuumed, pressure-formed, and heat-bent due to its low forming temperatures.
PETG is well-suited for fabrication techniques such as die cutting, routing, and bending. It is strong and cost-effective when compared to acrylic or polycarbonate. Its unique characteristics make it ideal for impact-resistant glazing and high-strength display units. PETG is also food-safe and is commonly used for food containers, cooking oil containers, and beverage bottles.
In terms of appearance, PETG is naturally clear but can be coloured during processing. It has good clarity and transparency, although some customers report that it is easily scratched. Overall, PETG is a versatile and durable plastic that is well-suited for a wide range of applications, making it a popular choice for consumers and businesses alike.
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ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
ABS, or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, is a common thermoplastic polymer. It is an amorphous polymer composed of three monomers: acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene. Acrylonitrile and styrene give ABS stiffness, while butadiene particles make it impact-resistant and elastic. ABS is stable under normal use and polymer processing conditions, but if the temperature reaches 400°C (750°F), it can decompose into its constituents, which are harmful to humans.
ABS is a popular plastic due to its low production cost and ease of machining. It has excellent mechanical properties, such as impact resistance, toughness, and rigidity, compared to other common polymers. It is also easily moulded, sanded, and shaped, and its glossy surface finish is compatible with a wide range of paints and glues. ABS is commonly used in products such as computer keyboards, LEGO bricks, small kitchen appliances, automotive components, protective headgear, and musical instruments.
ABS is well-suited for injection moulding and 3D printing applications. Its low melting point and ability to withstand heating and cooling make it ideal for these processes. ABS parts are readily available and can be moulded to create various forms and effects, making it a versatile option for manufacturers and 3D printing enthusiasts.
PLA, or polylactic acid, is another type of plastic commonly used in 3D printing. It is a bioplastic made from plant-based materials and is known for its rigidity, low cost, and speed of printing. However, PLA is quite brittle, susceptible to humidity, and has a low glass transition temperature, causing it to distort or melt in high temperatures. ABS, on the other hand, has a broader temperature range and can withstand heavy use and adverse environmental conditions.
While both plastics are popular for 3D printing, ABS offers advantages in terms of durability, impact resistance, and temperature tolerance. However, it is important to consider the specific requirements of an application when choosing between ABS and PLA, as each plastic has unique characteristics that may make it more suitable for certain projects.
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Nylon
One of the key advantages of nylon is its high tensile strength, making it suitable for high-stress environments and functional prototypes. It is also resistant to abrasion, wear and tear, and chemicals, although it has reduced strength and stiffness compared to other plastics like PLA and ABS. Nylon is a flexible plastic that can be used in industrial applications such as machine parts, tools, and automobile components. It is also a good choice for items that need to handle friction, such as gears, belts, and handles, as well as items that should not scratch other surfaces, like assembly fixtures or prosthetics.
Overall, nylon is a valuable alternative to PLA and ABS, offering greater chemical resistance, toughness, and durability for specific applications, especially in the industrial sector.
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Polycarbonate
One of the key advantages of polycarbonate is its ability to undergo large plastic deformations without cracking or breaking. This makes it valuable in prototyping applications where transparent or electrically non-conductive parts are needed, as it can be processed and formed at room temperature using sheet metal techniques. It is commonly used in injection molding to create smooth surfaces, and its low weight and high impact resistance have made it a dominant material for automotive headlamp lenses.
In terms of consumer products, polycarbonate is often used in eye protection, projectile-resistant viewing applications, and drinking bottles. It is also used in smartphone manufacturing, such as in the Nokia N9's unibody case and various phones in the Samsung Galaxy series. While polycarbonate has many benefits, it is important to note that its use in certain applications, such as food containers, has stirred concerns due to the presence of bisphenol A (BPA).
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Polypropylene
The properties of polypropylene depend on various factors, including molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, crystallinity, and the type and proportion of comonomers used. Commercial polypropylene usually has an isotactic structure, with an isotactic index between 85 and 95%. This structure gives it a higher degree of crystallinity, resulting in increased stiffness, rigidity, and hardness compared to atactic polypropylene. Atactic polypropylene, on the other hand, is amorphous and lacks crystallinity due to the random alignment of its methyl groups.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several alternatives to PLA, including PETG, ABS, nylon, and polycarbonate.
PLA is one of the most commonly used 3D printing filaments. It is user-friendly, with a broad range of printing applications, and is both odourless and low-warp. It is also one of the more eco-friendly options, being made from annually renewable resources like corn starch and sugar cane.
PLA is quite brittle and susceptible to humidity. It has poor heat-resistance properties, with a low glass transition temperature, and is therefore mostly used by hobbyists.
