Item no: 0202335 weight: 1 kg created from processing any number of plant products , pla is considered a more ‘earth friendly’ plastic compared to petroleum based abs . used primarily in food packaging and containers. it is naturally transparent and can be colored to various degrees of translucency and opacity. also strong, and more rigid than abs , it is occasionally more difficult to work with in complicated interlocking assemblies and pin-joints. printed objects will generally have a glossier look and feel than abs. with a little more work, pla can also be sanded and machined. the lower melting temperature of pla makes it unsuitable for many applications as even parts spending the day in a hot car can droop and deform . the wide range of available colors and translucencies and glossy feel often attract those who print for display or small household uses . many appreciate the plant based origins and prefer the semi-sweet smell over abs . when properly cooled, pla seems to have higher maximum printing speeds, lower layer heights, and sharper printed corners . combining this with low warping on parts make it a popular plastic for home printers, hobbyists, and schools .
