PLA VS. ABS PLASTIC – THE PROS AND CONS
31 01 2015by Ramon
There are loads of materials available, but when it comes to polymeres (like plastic), two types of filament are most popular; PLA and ABS plastic. But what are the differences? Which one is best? To answer these questions, first let me tell you a bit more about them.
PLA is a bio-degradable type of plastic that is manufactured out of plant-based resources such as corn starch or sugar cane. This is why it is called ‘the green plastic’. Be sure to throw it in a filament recycler and you’re as green as can be. It’s widely used for packaging, such as food products, but of course you can also use it to print!
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
ABS plastic is made out of oil-based resources and it has a much higher melting point than PLA plastic. It’s also stronger and harder. Because of these particular features, ABS is widely used for purposes ranging from car bumpers and motorcycle helmets to musical instruments, golfclubs and Lego.
So, which is better?
PLA
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| + Can be printed on a cold surface | – Can deform because of heat (like a cassette in a car) |
| + More environmental-friendly | – Less sturdy (than ABS) |
| + Shinier and smoother appearance | |
| + Smells sweet when being print =) | |
| + No harmful fumes during printing | |
| + Higher 3d printer speed | |
| + More detail |
ABS
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| + Very sturdy and hard | – Made out of oil, so more damaging to the environment |
| + Suitable for machine or car parts | – Deformes when not being print on a heated surface |
| + Higher melting point | – Hot plastic fumes when printing |
| + Longer lifespan | – Therefore, you need ventilation |
| – More difficult to print | |
| – Not suitable for using with food |
A company that’s making parts for machines will be better off when choosing ABS, because of its lifespan, its strength and its higher melting point. On the other hand, an artist who is making 3d models at home, will be better off choosing PLA because of its ease-of use, its appearance and because you don’t need ventilation.
But, as you might have noticed, there are a few drawbacks to using either of the plastics. For instance, let’s say you want to print some new cups and dishes at home. If you use PLA, you can’t put it in the dishwasher since it would deform through the heat. ABS is not an option either, since it’s oil-based and therefore cannot be used for holding food or beverages. Read this article for more info on ABS.
In conclusion, both ABS and PLA plastic have ups and downs, it depends largely on what and where you were planning on printing. Hopefully they invent a new kind of plastic one day that’s cheap, doesn’t do harm to the environment and is suitable for all possible jobs. Until that time, check out these other possible 3d printing materials.
Categories : Materiales, Tecnologia de Fabricación de Prototipos/Rapid prototyping
«El auge de las impresoras 3D ha sido el principal detonante de la aparición de los escáneres 3D, que permiten obtener modelos tridimensionales de objetos reales para luego reproducirlos en las citadas impresoras 3D. Normalmente estos escáneres 3D son realmente costosos, pero la impresa 3D Systems ha desarrollado un dispositivo llamado Sense muy competitivo en precio —399 dólares— y que podría convertirse en uno de los referentes en este segmento. Este escáner se puede sostener con la mano gracias a su asa, algo que es una diferencia fundamental de los escáneres 3D tradicionales, mucho más voluminosos y que se colocan encima de una mesa. Simplemente tendremos que ir girando alrededor del objeto a escanear para que el software que trabaja en conjunción con el dispositivo muestre el proceso de escaneo. Como en otras soluciones de este tipo, el escáner se basa en una cámara y un sensor de infrarrojos que se ha obtenido de la empresa PrimeSense —la misma responsable de Microsoft Kinect—. El Sense es capaz de escanear objetos que miden hasta 3 metros por 3 metros. El resultado del proceso de escaneo depende de nuestra paciencia —si escaneamos con cuidado y lentitud, el modelo será representado con bastante fidelidad—, y sin duda éste es un nuevo paso en la dirección adecuada para el futuro de un segmento que promete darnos muchas sorpresas a corto plazo.» Fuente: «