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Lightweight PLA

Discover Lightweight PLA—a special-purpose thermoplastic designed to produce low-density, lightweight parts ideal for applications where weight reduction is crucial.

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Material Name:

Lightweight PLA

Description:

Lightweight PLA is an innovative version of standard Polylactic Acid (PLA) that incorporates foaming technology to create low-density, lightweight 3D printed parts. Engineered to foam and expand during the printing process, it reduces the overall weight of printed objects by up to 50% compared to regular PLA. The foaming behavior is temperature-dependent, allowing users to control the density and weight of the part by adjusting printing temperatures and speeds. Lightweight PLA retains many of PLA's user-friendly characteristics, such as ease of printing, low warping, and good surface finish, while offering significant weight savings. This makes it particularly suitable for applications where weight is a critical factor, such as in model airplanes, drones, RC cars, and other lightweight structural components. However, printing with Lightweight PLA may require fine-tuning of parameters to optimize the foaming effect and achieve the desired balance between weight, strength, and surface quality.

Material Type:

Foaming Thermoplastic (PLA-based)

Price:

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Available color:

White
Natural Shades

Process compatibility:

  • FDM compatible

Special Properties:

  • Low Density / Lightweight
  • Temperature-Dependent Foaming
  • Good Surface Finish
  • Easy to Sand and Paint

Limitations:

  • Requires Careful Temperature Control
  • Potential for Inconsistent Layer Adhesion
  • Lower Strength Compared to Solid PLA
  • Limited Color Availability

Material rating

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Key Lightweight PLA properties rated to guide you in selecting the best fit for your 3D printing needs.

Strength3 of 5
Flexibility2 of 5
Detail Resolution3 of 5
Surface Smoothness3 of 5
Heat Resistance2 of 5
Chemical Resistance2 of 5
Ease of Printing3 of 5
Cost Efficiency3 of 5

Applications

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Lightweight PLA is ideal for producing low-density, lightweight parts where weight reduction is critical without compromising too much on mechanical properties. It is particularly suited for models, drones, and RC components that benefit from reduced mass.

Aerospace Modeling Applications
  • Model airplanes
    Drone frames
  • Glider components
Automotive Modeling Applications
  • RC car parts
    Lightweight prototypes
  • Aerodynamic testing models
Education and Research Applications
  • Physics experiments
    Structural models
  • Educational tools
Additional Applications
  • Lightweight Prototypes
    Architectural Models
  • Hobbyist Projects
    Weight-Sensitive Components

Mechanical Properties

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Offers reduced weight with moderate strength, suitable for applications where weight savings are prioritized over maximum strength.

Property Value, metric
Tensile Strength Approximately 16 MPa
Tensile Modulus Approximately 1,800 MPa
Elongation at Break (%) 5%
Flexural Strength Approximately 30 MPa
Flexural Modulus Approximately 1,800 MPa
Notched Izod Impact Strength Approximately 10 J/m
Shore Hardness Shore D 70

Characteristics

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Printing with Lightweight PLA requires careful management of printing temperatures and speeds to control the foaming behavior. Higher temperatures increase foaming, reducing density, while lower temperatures result in less foaming. Adjusting extrusion multipliers may be necessary to achieve optimal results.

Type Value
Lead Time 1-4 business days
Wall Thickness Minimum 1.0 mm
Tolerance ±0.20%, minimum ±0.2 mm
Max Part Size Up to 450 x 450 x 450 mm
Layer Height 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm

Thermal Properties

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Similar to standard PLA with low heat resistance; parts may deform at temperatures above 50°C.

Property Value, metric
Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) Approximately 55°C at 0.455 MPa
Thermal Expansion Coefficient Approximately 70 x 10^-6 /°C
Thermal Expansion (Scale 0-100) 65
Max Service Temperature Up to 50°C before significant deformation may occur

Electrical Properties

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Acts as an electrical insulator; not suitable for electrical applications.

Property Value, metric
ESD Safety Not ESD safe
Conductivity Non-conductive; insulating properties
info-iconNOTE: The provided values are approximate and can vary based on the specific Lightweight PLA formulation and manufacturer. Always refer to the manufacturer's technical data sheet for precise information.

Find your queries

Frequently Asked Question(FAQ)

What is Lightweight PLA, and how does it differ from standard PLA?
How does the foaming process in Lightweight PLA work? content-show
Is Lightweight PLA suitable for functional parts? content-show
Can Lightweight PLA be used with any 3D printer? content-show
Is Lightweight PLA biodegradable? content-show