Thermal conductivity against densityHigher and further left: spreads more heat for its weightThermal expansion against thermal conductivityLower and further right: warps less when heated
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Ultimaker PLA, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat) orientation; Ultimaker S5 Pro, engineering intent profile, 0.15 mm layer height, AA 0.4 print core, 100% infill, Cura 4.9, printed one-at-a-time, conditioned >=24 h at room temperature. TDS dated April 20, 2022.
SLA Resin Standard
Formlabs Clear Resin V5 (FLGPCL05), TDS Rev. 01 March 20, 2024; printed on Form 4 at 100 µm, washed 5 min in >=99% IPA, post-cured 15 min at 60 °C in Form Cure. Orientation not stated.
Clear Resin V5 Technical Data Sheet (2024)Formlabsarchived copySLA Resin Standard · Ultimate tensile strength: typicalSLA Resin Standard · Flexural strength: typicalSLA Resin Standard · Elongation at break: typicalSLA Resin Standard · Young's modulus (stiffness): typicalSLA Resin Standard · Max service temperature: HDT 1.8 MPa
3
Clear Resin V5 Technical Data Sheet (web edition)FormlabsSLA Resin Standard · Density: typical, post-cured (same for 5 min ambient and 15 min at 60 °C), ASTM D792
4
Engineering Properties of Ingeo BiopolymerNatureWorksarchived copyPlastic PLA · Thermal conductivity: base material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °CPlastic PLA · Specific heat: base material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C
5
Thermal Properties of Selected Formlabs SLA ResinsFormlabsSLA Resin Standard · Thermal conductivity: typical, post-cured, ASTM E1530SLA Resin Standard · Thermal expansion: mean -30 to 140 °C, post-cured (5 min ambient cure), TMA ASTM E831SLA Resin Standard · Specific heat: typical, 25 °C, post-cured (5 min ambient cure), DSC ASTM E1269
Each number points to the document that states it, with the exact basis. Values without a number are computed from the sourced ones. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
Plastic PLA and SLA Resin Standard are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Mechanical
Is Plastic PLA stronger than SLA Resin Standard?
SLA Resin Standard is stronger: its tensile strength is 60 MPa against yield strength 52.5 MPa for Plastic PLA (14%).
Which is lighter, Plastic PLA or SLA Resin Standard?
SLA Resin Standard is lighter: 1,210 kg/m³ against 1,240 kg/m³ for Plastic PLA.
Which is stiffer, Plastic PLA or SLA Resin Standard?
Plastic PLA is stiffer: Young's modulus 3.25 GPa against 2.75 GPa for SLA Resin Standard, so the same part in Plastic PLA deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic PLA or SLA Resin Standard?
For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic PLA is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate; SLA Resin Standard is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Plastic PLA
SLA Resin Standard
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
15% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
6% heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
3% heavier
Strong rod or tie
17% heavier
lighter
Strong beam
12% heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
10% heavier
lighter
For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).
Thermal
Which conducts heat better, Plastic PLA or SLA Resin Standard?
SLA Resin Standard conducts heat better: 0.54 W/m·K against 0.13 W/m·K for Plastic PLA.