What The Difference Between ABS and PLA Filament

CHINO, Calif. - Oct. 18, 2014 - PRLog -- PLA is a new type biodegradable material, use the renewableplant resources (such as corn) to create, good mechanical properties and physical properties. PLA fit for blow molding, thermoplastic and other processing methods, easy to processing and using in wide range. Such as to produce disposable infusion appliances, surgical sutures for demolition type, etc., low molecular weight polylactic acid as drug delivery packaging agent.

In addition to biodegradable plastics basic characteristics, but also have their own unique characteristics. Traditional biodegradable plastic strength, transparency and resistance to climate change are not as good as ordinary plastic. PLA (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MO134T2) and basic physical properties similar to the petrochemical synthetic plastics, that is, it can be widely used to manufacture a variety of applications. Polylactic acid also has good gloss and transparency, and the use of polystyrene film is quite prepared, other biodegradable products are not available. Polylactic acid (PLA) has the most favorable tensile strength and elongation, a polylactic acid can also produce a variety of common processing methods, for example: melt extrusion molding, injection molding, blown film molding, foam molding, and vacuum forming, the current polymers are widely used in a similar molding conditions, in addition it also has the same films with conventional printing performance.

ABS is the most manufacture, using widest material,it make PS, SAN, BS various properties of organic unity, both tough, hard, just excellent balance of mechanical properties. ABS (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MO126S2) is an acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene terpolymer, A representative of acrylonitrile, B for butadiene, S for styrene.

ABS plastic is generally opaque, look pale ivory, non-toxic, tasteless, both tough and hard, just the characteristics of slow burning, the flame was yellow, black smoke, the burning plastic softening, charred, issued a special cinnamon smell, but no melt dripping.

ABS plastic with excellent overall performance, with excellent impact strength, dimensional stability, electrical properties, wear resistance, chemical resistance, dyeing, forming and machining better. (http://www.amazon.com/shops/AMC2QC2FBY1A) ABS resin, water, inorganic salts, alkalis and acids, alcohols and insoluble in most hydrocarbon solvents, and easily soluble aldehydes, ketones, esters and certain chlorinated hydrocarbons.

Print ABS material and print PLA polylactic acid differences:

    When printing PLA smell of cotton candy smell, unlike the ABS as the pungent smell bad child

    PLA can print large part model in the absence of heating the bed situation and corners will not tilt.

    PLA processing temperature is 200 ℃, ABS above 220 ​​℃

    PLA having a low shrinkage, even when printing a large size model also performed well

    PLA has a low melt strength, excellent print model easier shaping, surface gloss, colorful

Crystalline PLA, ABS is a non-crystalline. When you heat ABS, will gradually convert liquid gel, without state change. Like PLA like frozen water directly from a solid to a liquid. Because there is no phase transition, ABS does not suck nozzle heat. Part of the PLA, so that a greater risk of nozzle clogging.

How to determine the material is PLA or ABS?

On the surface it is difficult to judge, comparative observation was matt ABS, and PLA is very bright. Heated to 195 degrees, PLA can smooth out, ABS can not be heated to 220 degrees, ABS can smooth out, .PLA appears drum since the bubble, even carbonation. carbonized will block the nozzle, very dangerous.