The Ultimate Guide to PLA Plus 3D Printer Filament

PLA Plus filament is becoming an increasingly popular option for 3D printing enthusiasts and professionals alike. As an enhanced version of standard PLA, PLA Plus offers improved mechanical properties while retaining the ease-of-use that makes PLA so beginner-friendly.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about PLA Plus filament. We’ll compare PLA vs PLA Plus, outline the key benefits and downsides, provide tips for optimal printing, and recommend the best PLA Plus filaments to try.

Let’s get started!

What is PLA Plus Filament?

PLA Plus is a modified version of standard polylactic acid (PLA) filament. It has added properties to make it more durable and heat-resistant compared to regular PLA.

Manufacturers create PLA Plus by combining PLA with other materials and additives. Common additions include toughening agents, nanomaterials, and impact modifiers. These extra ingredients preserve the easy printing of PLA while enhancing its mechanical performance.

As a result, PLA Plus offers superior strength, rigidity, and thermal properties compared to standard PLA. It bridges the gap between standard PLA and more advanced filaments like ABS. PLA Plus allows makers to print durable parts for mechanical applications, without the hassle of exotic filaments.

PLA Plus vs Regular PLA Filament

To understand the benefits of PLA Plus, it helps to compare it directly against standard PLA filament:

• Strength: PLA Plus has higher tensile strength and is more rigid, making it suitable for functional prints. Regular PLA is prone to bending and deformation under load.
• Thermal resistance: PLA Plus holds up better to heat. Parts printed with PLA Plus have higher heat deflection temperatures, allowing use in hot environments like inside cars. Regular PLA can deform in temperatures over 60°C.
• Impact resistance: PLA Plus better resists fracture from sudden impacts. Addition of toughening agents reduces the brittle nature of regular PLA.
• Chemical resistance: PLA Plus has better resistance to oils, grease, and other chemicals. Standard PLA quickly degrades when exposed to many common solvents.
• Wear resistance: The enhanced mechanical properties of PLA Plus increase its wear resistance compared to standard PLA. Printed parts see less erosion in applications with friction or abrasion.
• Ease of printing: Both filaments have similar, optimal printing temperatures. They produce minimal warp and have low tendency for nozzle jams. PLA Plus retains the same reliability and surface finish of regular PLA.

In summary, PLA Plus retains the same easy printing as PLA, but with mechanical properties approaching more advanced filaments. It strikes a balance of usability and performance.

Benefits of PLA Plus Filament

Now that we’ve seen how PLA Plus improves on regular PLA, let’s look at some of its key benefits:

• Increased strength and rigidity: Parts printed from PLA Plus can withstand higher stresses and hold up better to loading without flexing or deforming.
• Higher heat resistance: PLA Plus has a higher heat deflection temperature, allowing printed parts to maintain their shape in hot environments like inside cars on hot days.
• Improved impact resistance: PLA Plus better resists shattering from sudden impacts, making it suitable for applications that will experience shock loading or vibration.
• Enhanced durability: The improved mechanical properties lead to increased durability compared to standard PLA, expanding the possible applications for PLA Plus printed parts.
• Superior wear resistance: PLA Plus sees less erosion when exposed to friction, abrasion, or chemicals, increasing service life.
• Easy printing: PLA Plus offers the same trouble-free printing experience as standard PLA. Minimal warping and reliable first-layer adhesion.
• Good dimensional stability: Low tendency to shrink or expand after printing means accurately printed parts that fit assemblies properly.

For makers looking to step up from standard PLA, PLA Plus offers an appealing combination of enhanced mechanical performance without sacrificing ease-of-use.

Downsides of PLA Plus Filament

PLA Plus has some disadvantages and limitations to consider:

• Higher cost: PLA Plus costs 20-60% more than standard PLA due to the advanced formulations and extra materials involved. This can restrict usage for very large prints.
• Still less strong than advanced filaments: While PLA Plus has great properties for PLA, filaments like ABS, PETG, and nylon are still stronger and more heat-resistant. PLA Plus occupies a middle ground.

-Can be more brittle than standard PLA: Some PLA Plus blends sacrifice elasticity and elongation at break for increased strength. This can lead to more brittle parts in some formulations.

• Variable properties: Since manufacturers use different combinations of additives, properties can vary between PLA Plus blends. Some exhibit the benefits more than others.
• Potential for stringing: Higher thermal resistance means PLA Plus can be more prone to ooze and stringing during printing. Proper calibration is important.

For less demanding applications, the extra cost and finicky nature of PLA Plus may not justify the mild improvement over standard PLA. It shines when high strength and heat resistance are critical.

Tips for Printing with PLA Plus Filament

To get the best results when printing with PLA Plus, keep these tips in mind:

• Nozzle temperature: Print at the high end of the recommended range, from 210-230°C. The extra ingredients in PLA Plus require more heat for proper melting and flow.
• Bed temperature: Standard PLA bed temperatures of 50-60°C work well. An unheated bed is also fine.
• Print speed: For the best quality, print at 40-60mm/s. Faster speeds can lead to clogs and poor layer adhesion with PLA Plus.
• Cooling: Use cooling fans as you would for regular PLA, between 50-100% fan speed. The improved thermal resistance allows aggressive cooling.
• Retraction: To combat potential oozing, use a retraction distance of 1-2mm. Start with a moderate retraction speed of 40mm/s.
• Avoid excessive moisture: PLA Plus absorbs moisture easily. Store filament in an airtight container with desiccant and dry before printing for optimal quality.

With some minor setting adjustments, PLA Plus can be printed just as reliably as standard PLA. The same basic strategies apply regarding bed leveling, build plate adhesion, etc.

Best PLA Plus Filaments

If you’re sold on trying PLA Plus for your next project, these are some of the best options available:

• MatterHackers PRO Series PLA Plus – Excellent layer adhesion and 50% higher impact strength than regular PLA.
• Rigid Ink PLA Plus – Extremely stiff with superior interlayer bonding. Great dimensional stability.
• eSUN PLA+ – Top balance of strength, toughness, and ease of printing. The “gold standard” of PLA Plus.
• Polymaker Polymax PLA Plus – Polycarbonate-reinforced for extreme rigidity and heat resistance up to 100°C.
• Prusament PLA Galaxy Silver – Premium PLA Plus with metallic silver flakes, perfect for decorative prints.
• Push Plastic Armorgrey PLA Plus – Fiber-reinforced for unmatched strength and wear resistance.

No matter which brand you choose, PLA Plus filaments are sure to take your 3D printing capabilities to the next level compared to standard PLA.

PLA Plus: Bridging the Gap Between PLA and Advanced Filaments

Thanks to careful material engineering, PLA Plus gives makers increased capabilities without the headaches of exotic filaments. With superior strength, heat resistance, and durability compared to regular PLA, PLA Plus opens up new applications for desktop 3D printing.

Yet it retains the forgiving nature and ease-of-printing of standard PLA. Minimal warping and stringing allow PLA Plus to be an easy material for all experience levels. It occupies a “sweet spot” between standard PLA and advanced filaments like ABS and nylon.

For makers looking to expand their possibilities beyond basic PLA, PLA Plus is an appealing next step. The combination of usability and improved performance makes PLA Plus filament a versatile option for both prototyping and functional 3D printing.