What's the strongest PLA?

I've recently swapped to a different colour PLA from a different manufacturer and it seems to have a weaker bnod between layers. I assume different PLA will have different properties anyway but could I imporove it by increasing temperature or something like that?

Also, can anyone recommend a strong PLA?

I haven't tried ABS yet but I'm a little put off by the promise of a bad smell (printer is in the house, near where we dry clothes!)

Ross

A few things to do with new PLA

1) Confirm the single wall thickness is what it's meant to be - different plastics seem to affect this, you could be under depositing plastic.

2) Raise the temps a bit

3) Try thinner layers - thinner layers make a stronger part.

I'll check the single wall thickness. My parts come out slightly larger than they should at the moment and I'd assumed so far that it was extruding a little too wide (it's about 0.2mm wider than the 10mm test cube should be). How would I draw up a single wall test object?

Temp change will be a good test too then by the sound of it. The part was made at 0.2mm and it broke perfectly along the layer.

Thanks for your help

Just print a normal solid cube with 1 perimeter, 1 solid layer and zero infill. Kill the print before it prints the top layer and you have a single walled shape

Ah, yes thanks! Seems obvious now!

I've recently been printing with impact modified PLA from diamondage.co.nz
It is very strong, but I have lost a little quality.

I now print at 200 deg with this filament and it bonds very well now. I can't believe the difference it made! I need to play around with the settings as I'm still a little over the single wall thickness. I reduced it a bit based on the comments above and it was definately under-extruding. I'm sure there's a sweet spot there somewhere though. I'll probably find it as the last metre runs through the machine

I'll look into the diamondage filament too. I'd like to find a suitable plastic to make functional parts with as I still don't fancy the smell of ABS...

All of the PLA I have tried is strong with the exception of the clear PLA.
Apparently the additives used to color the filament add strength (or elasticity).

---

Bob Morrison
Wörth am Rhein, Germany
"Luke, use the source!"
BLOG - PHOTOS - Thingiverse