Choose Sustainable 3D Printing: PLA Filaments

PLA or polylactic acid is a biodegradable polymer derived from lactic acid with multiple uses, including 3D printing. This material is obtained through the polymerization of lactic acid, which originates from the fermentation of sugars from vegetable products with high starch content.

PLA is not a new material. ➡︎El origin of this polymer is found in 1932 when Wallace Carothers obtained a product with a low molecular weight by heating lactic acid under vacuum. Later, in 1954, after several improvements, Dupont, for whom Carothers worked, patented the process.

As we have already mentioned, PLA has as raw materials vegetable products with a high starch content such as corn, sugar beet, wheat or sugar cane, products that are 100% renewable and adapted to the vegetable resources of each region. If we add to this the fact that it is biodegradable, it makes it a very interesting product, especially because it has better properties than other thermoplastics that have their origin in petroleum.

How sustainable is PLA and its uses

To manufacture 1 kg of PLA, more than 2.5 kg of corn are needed.

The problem with this “ecological” plastic is that fossil fuels are used for its production, although it is important to note that between 20 and 50% less is required than for the production of the same type of petroleum-based plastics. Another criticism is the emission of CO2 and CH4, greenhouse gases, during its decomposition, but this is compensated by the CO2 absorbed by the plants used for its production during its growth.

In industry this material is used for packaging (bags, cups, frozen vegetable bags, food containers, liquids, …), milk and transparent food containers, and in the textile industry as a synthetic fiber. It is also used in the medical industry for implants in bone or tissue and for sutures as it is a biodegradable and bioabsorbable material.
In the world of 3D printing PLA filament is known for its ease of printing, so when you start 3D printing is the most used material, in addition to which many of the 3D printers use this material for printing.

• Among the advantages it offers, for example, is that it has less shrinkage between layers so it prevents the intermediate-high layers from cracking, and that, being non-toxic and having an odor that is not very unpleasant, it is a material recommended for use at home.
  On the contrary, a piece made with this material will suffer at temperatures of more than 60 degrees, its resistance is quite low so if we hit the prints made with this material they will break and it absorbs a lot of moisture, so we must be careful with the environment in which it is printed.

As we have seen PLA filaments are an ideal material for 3D printing at a domestic level, as it is a biodegradable product, non-toxic, without uncomfortable odors and easy to handle. At Winkle we provide you with high quality PLA, as our company’s goal is to offer the best filament products and services in the 3D printing industry. Enter our online store and start creating.