Print clean lines and sharp details with these user-friendly PLA filaments. A low melting temperature means that they flow smoothly during printing and don’t clog nozzles as frequently as other filaments, such as ABS. These PLA filaments won’t leave drips or strings of plastic on your print, and are less likely to warp from cooling too quickly. Finished parts are not as strong or heat resistant as those made with ABS or PEEK, so these filaments are more often used for making prototypes than load-bearing parts. No need for masks, ventilation systems, or extra safety measures when printing with PLA – they don’t produce toxic fumes. Use them with fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printers.

Some of these filaments can be annealed, which is the process of heating prints to a specific annealing temperature and then slowly allowing them to cool. This makes the finished print harder, stronger, and more heat tolerant.

Choose between stainless steel-, iron-, copper-, and brass-filled PLA filaments based on the finish you need. These metal-filled PLA filaments are heavier and conduct more heat than plastic-only filaments. Brush, sand, or polish printed parts to create a shiny, metallic finish. Stainless steel- and iron-filled filaments are abrasive, and will wear out brass, copper, and other low-strength nozzles. They should be printed using a hardened steel nozzle. Iron-filled parts will rust if exposed to wet and humid environments.

Tensile strength is the best measure of a filament's overall strength. Similar to the stress applied on a rope during a game of tug-of-war, it's the amount of pulling force a material can handle before breaking. A higher rating means a stronger filament. A tensile strength of 5,000 psi and above is considered good; 12,000 psi and above is excellent.

Maximum exposure temperature is the point at which a printed part will begin to deform. Above this temperature, your printed parts will start to lose structural integrity. Filaments that can be annealed are also rated for maximum temperature after annealing, which is the new maximum exposure temperature once that process has been completed.