Plastic PLA

Plastic PLA strength, stiffness, density and thermal properties, with their source.

A bracket in Plastic PLA, 3D-printed (layer lines) finish.

Mechanical
Yield strength	52.5MPa1
Ultimate tensile strength	52.5MPa1
Flexural strength	96.8MPa1
Elongation at break	7.8%1
Young's modulus (stiffness)	3.25GPa1
Density	1,240kg/m³1
Strength to weight	42.3kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	2.62MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	not sourced
Shear modulus	not sourced
Bulk modulus	not sourced
Speed of sound	1,619m/s

Stiffness against densityHigher and further left: stiffer for its weight

Strength against densityHigher and further left: stronger for its weight

Thermal
Thermal conductivity	base material0.13W/m·K2
Thermal expansion	not sourced
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	not sourced
Specific heat	base material1,200J/kg·K2
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	0.0874mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced
Melting point	152°C1
Glass transition	59.1°C1
Max service temperature	HDT 0.455 MPa58.8°C1

Thermal conductivity against densityHigher and further left: spreads more heat for its weight

Thermal expansion against thermal conductivityLower and further right: warps less when heated

Sources2 documents: UltiMaker, NatureWorks

Values for: 3D printed (FDM). 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.

1
Ultimaker PLA Technical Data Sheet, v5.00UltiMakerarchived copyYield strength: typicalUltimate tensile strength: typical, peak stress (= stress at yield)Flexural strength: typicalElongation at break: typicalYoung's modulus (stiffness): typicalDensity: typicalMelting point: typicalGlass transition: typicalMax service temperature: HDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)
2
Engineering Properties of Ingeo BiopolymerNatureWorksarchived copyThermal conductivity: base material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °CSpecific heat: base material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C

Plastic PLA is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

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Thermal properties of Plastic PLA

Thermal conductivity of Plastic PLA

Plastic PLA has a thermal conductivity of 0.13 W/m·K (0.0751 BTU/hr·ft·°F). Basis: base material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C. Source: NatureWorks, Engineering Properties of Ingeo Biopolymerarchived copy.

Specific heat of Plastic PLA

The specific heat capacity of Plastic PLA is 1,200 J/kg·K (0.287 BTU/lb·°F). Basis: base material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C. Source: NatureWorks, Engineering Properties of Ingeo Biopolymerarchived copy.

Thermal diffusivity of Plastic PLA

Computed from the conductivity, density and specific heat (k / ρc): 0.0874 mm²/s, how fast a temperature change spreads through it.

Melting point of Plastic PLA

Plastic PLA melts at 152 °C (305 °F). Basis: typical. Source: UltiMaker, Ultimaker PLA Technical Data Sheet, v5.00archived copy.

Glass transition temperature of Plastic PLA

Plastic PLA softens at its glass transition, 59.1 °C (138 °F). Basis: typical. Source: UltiMaker, Ultimaker PLA Technical Data Sheet, v5.00archived copy.

Maximum service temperature of Plastic PLA

The maximum service temperature of Plastic PLA is 58.8 °C (138 °F). Basis: HDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens). Source: UltiMaker, Ultimaker PLA Technical Data Sheet, v5.00archived copy.