Materials › PLA
PLA – Properties, Temperatures & Tips
All key properties, print settings, pros and cons and matching filaments at a glance.
Properties & print settings
- Nozzle (°C)
- 190–230
- Bed (°C)
- 25–65
- Heat resistance HDT (°C)
- 55–60
- Tensile strength (MPa)
- 40–52
- Elongation at break
- approx. 6%
- Density (g/cm³)
- 1.17–1.24
- Drying
- 55 °C, 6–8 h
- Difficulty
- very easy
No enclosure needed
What is PLA used for?
Models, figures, prototypes, decor, everyday objects not exposed to heat
+ Pros
Easiest to print, little warping, cheap, huge colour range, stiff
– Cons
Softens from ca. 55–60 °C (car in summer!), rather brittle, not durable outdoors
Printing tips at a glance
- Nozzle temperature: 190–230 °C – start in the middle of the range on a new spool and fine-tune with a temperature tower.
- Bed temperature: 25–65 °C.
- An enclosure is not needed, but avoid drafts.
- Drying: 55 °C, 6–8 h. Wet filament shows up as crackling, stringing and rough surfaces.
Compare similar materials
| Material | Difficulty | Nozzle (°C) | Bed (°C) | Heat resistance HDT (°C) | Tensile strength (MPa) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | 1/5 | 190–230 | 25–65 | 55–60 | 40–52 |
| PLA+ / PLA Pro / Tough PLA | 1/5 | 190–230 | 25–65 | 55–59 | 40–50 |
| PETG | 2/5 | 230–270 | 60–80 | 69–78 | 38–51 |
| Silk PLA | 1/5 | 190–230 | 25–65 | approx. 65 (Vicat) | approx. 41 |
| Matte PLA | 1/5 | 190–230 | 25–65 | approx. 62 (Vicat) | approx. 23 |
Matching filaments from partner shops
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Frequently asked questions
What nozzle temperature does PLA need?
Guideline for PLA: 190–230 °C nozzle and 25–65 °C bed temperature. The exact values are printed on the manufacturer's spool.
How heat resistant is PLA?
Heat deflection temperature (HDT) is around 55–60 °C. Above that, loaded parts start to deform.
Does PLA need to be dried?
Recommended: 55 °C, 6–8 h.
Do I need an enclosure for PLA?
An enclosure is not needed, but avoid drafts.
Values are guidelines from manufacturer datasheets (Polymaker, Bambu Lab, Prusa). They may differ by manufacturer, colour and print settings.