Toughened PLA · 38.9 kJ/m² notched Charpy (~12× plain PLA's 3.3) with PLA-like tensile properties (41.3 MPa tensile XY, Young's 2151 MPa). For functional prints that need to survive drops, snap-fits, and handling without sacrificing PLA's print-friendliness. Cross-checked against the manufacturer's PolyMax PLA TDS V5.4.
PLA Plus 3D printing service · UK · quoted in 6 hours.
Impact resistance approaching ABS's · print-friendly like plain PLA.
Four quick visuals. Start with which material to pick and where PLA+ works; the engineering detail is at the end if you want it.
Fermented lactic acid polymerised into PLA · industrially compostable per EN 13432 (NOT home compost / landfill).
Plain PLA fractures clean at low impact energy (3.3 kJ/m² notched Charpy). PLA+ raises that to 38.9 kJ/m² (~12×) · it absorbs the knock and resists crack-through. Tensile elongation stays PLA-like (~5.7%) · the gain is impact toughness, not tensile stretch.
"James handled the 3D printing for a functional heat resistant component we needed in batch production. He helped dial in the prototype first with their design service, then produced the final batch with really consistent results. Super fast 3D print turnaround and great quality across all the 3D printed parts. Will 100% be coming back."
"We needed a sit-in F1-car for an exhibition to showcase our new racing game. 3D Printing Express took our CAD, optimised it for strength and weight as we had no idea how it all worked! Turned out beautifully. They colour matched the finish and was looking like the real deal. On show day the cockpit ran non-stop, adults and kids jumped in. Multiple visitors asked who built it."
"We ordered a batch of 100 PA-12 parts from 3D Printing Express and could not be happier. Every part arrived consistent, dimensionally accurate, and ready for use straight from the box. The PA-12 gave us the strength and stability we needed for functional testing, with minimal post-processing required. Delivery was on time, communication was excellent, and their QC clearly made a difference."
~12× plain PLA's notched Charpy (38.9 vs 3.3 kJ/m²) · the toughened-PLA headline. Well above ABS (~12.6 kJ/m²) and printed without a heated chamber.
41.3 MPa XY · PLA-like tensile strength, retained alongside the ~12× notched-Charpy uplift. PLA+ keeps PLA stiffness and adds impact survival.
2151 MPa XY · PLA-family stiffness, kept rather than traded away. The impact modifier lifts toughness without collapsing the modulus.
Same heat ceiling as plain PLA · the toughening modifier doesn't raise it. Tg 61°C, same cliff. Hot car / radiator-adjacent · still wrong material.
PLA+ earns its place when the part needs PLA's print-friendliness AND impact resistance · functional prints that get dropped, clamped, vibrated, or repeatedly handled. The toughened-PLA variant for end-use parts that plain PLA can't survive.
PLA+ trades 21% tensile / 37% Young's modulus for 12× impact toughness · it doesn't change PLA's heat envelope, chemical limits, or outdoor behaviour. Pick a different filament if any of these apply.
Drop survival without ABS's print difficulty · custom phone cases for odd device shapes, device-shell prototypes, hand-tool housings that get knocked. The toughened-PLA pick where plain PLA would crack.
Snap-fits that open and close hundreds of times benefit from the toughening modifier's resistance to fatigue crack growth at the hinge root. Latched enclosures, access panels, service-access lids on consumer devices.
The impact uplift directly applies to crash-prone airborne hardware · drone arms survive bumps that crack plain PLA, prop guards take repeated rotor strikes, robotics arm shells absorb collisions. Lighter than ABS at similar Charpy.
Pieces that get worn, tried-on, transported, dropped at conventions · the impact uplift means the part survives the convention-floor handling cycle. Same colour range and print-friendliness as plain PLA · drop-in upgrade for tougher props.
A side-by-side of the three commodity thermoplastics most makers compare when picking PLA. Pick PLA unless one of the other columns wins your specific row · we also stock PLA+ (toughened PLA) when you need impact resistance without leaving the PLA family.
All values from manufacturer Technical Data Sheets V5.4 EN · injection-moulded ISO test specimens (ISO 527 tensile, ISO 178 flexural, ISO 75 HDT). Cost reflects typical UK 2026 filament pricing for stock-colour grades.
| Property | PLA+ (here) | Plain PLA | ABS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength XY | 41.3 MPa | ~52 MPa | ~33 MPa |
| Stiffness (Young's modulus XY) | 2151 MPa | ~2600 MPa | ~2000 MPa |
| Charpy notched impact | 38.9 kJ/m² | ~3.3 kJ/m² | ~12.6 kJ/m² |
| Elongation at break XY | 5.7% | ~6% | ~17% |
| Heat deflection (HDT 0.45) | 55°C | ~55°C | ~100°C |
| Glass transition (Tg) | 61°C | ~60°C | ~101°C |
| Density | 1.17-1.24 g/cm³ | ~1.24 g/cm³ | ~1.05 g/cm³ |
| Outdoor / UV | Limited (months) | Limited (months) | Poor · use ASA grade for years-long outdoor |
| Cost per kg (filament) | £25-40 | £18-28 | £30-45 |
| Bio-source / disposal | Bio-sourced; not certified compostable | Bio-sourced, EN 13432 compostable | Petroleum, recyclable |
| Best for | Impact-loaded functional parts · snap-fits, drop-prone, vibration | Indoor cosmetic / prototype (wider colour, lower-cost) | Heat / outdoor (ASA) service |
This is 3DPE's standard process for PLA+ · the equipment and the dried-filament discipline are included, no surcharge. Slicer profile and orientation are tuned per part at quote stage.
File or sketch in. Tell us colour, finish, indoor / outdoor.
Reviewed inside 24 hours · per-unit cost + colour confirmation.
Wall thickness, overhang, support strategy flagged before print.
Calibrated machine · stock or custom-RAL colour matched.
Sand to spec · 2K spray paint if needed · cosmetic prep.
Tracked UK courier, tracking number sent the moment it leaves.
Lead times start when CAD is signed off and colour is confirmed · CAD round-trips on rev requests can extend the clock. Custom RAL colour matching can add 1-2 days for filament procurement.
Production-quality scale model printed in stock-colour matte PLA for a property-developer brand activation · 30+ pieces, custom RAL-matched corporate colour, cosmetic-grade surface finish out of process. Indoor display only · the part profile that PLA was designed for.
PLA is polylactic acid · a bio-sourced thermoplastic polymer derived from fermented corn starch or sugarcane. PLA matrix from plant-derived feedstock; the impact-toughening modifier means the certified-compostable claim does not carry over · treat PLA+ as a tough functional PLA, not a compostable one. For parts that get dropped, clamped, or vibrated. Tensile strength 41.3 MPa XY (ISO 527 · PolyMax PLA TDS V5.4), HDT 55°C at 0.45 MPa (ISO 75), Young's modulus 2151 MPa, notched Charpy 38.9 kJ/m² (~12× plain PLA). Density 1.17-1.24 g/cm³. The 61°C glass transition is the practical service-temperature ceiling. The toughness is impact/notch toughness · tensile elongation stays PLA-like at 5.7%.
"PLA is the material I reach for when the brief is appearance-first · scale models, exhibition pieces, props, anything indoor that the eye lives on. The dimensional precision is genuinely the best of any FDM filament we stock, the colour palette is unbeatable, and parts come off the bed crisp without much post-prep. The catch is heat. PLA+ is unforgiving above 55°C · if the part lives anywhere a hot car or a sunlit window can hit, it's the wrong choice. We push back on that hard before quoting."
Three questions worth answering before specifying PLA+ · where the polymer comes from, how the impact modifier works, and where the 55°C heat cliff really matters.
Plant captures atmospheric CO₂ → polymerised → 3D-printed part → industrial compost (EN 13432) returns CO₂ to atmosphere. The bio-source story is the carbon-loop, not the disposal route.
PLA (polylactic acid) is bio-sourced. Corn starch or sugarcane is fermented into lactic acid, which is then chain-polymerised into the polymer. That makes PLA one of the only widely-used 3D printing thermoplastics with a non-petroleum feedstock · the carbon in the polymer chain came out of the air via the plant, not out of an oil well.
Plain PLA's end-of-life pathway is industrial composting (EN 13432 facilities · ~58°C humid conditions for 90+ days). PLA+ adds a toughening modifier, so the EN 13432 certification does NOT carry over · treat PLA+ as a bio-sourced but non-compostable functional plastic. No PLA grade biodegrades in garden compost, landfill, or the ocean within any reasonable timeframe · the bio-source is the environmental win, not the disposal route.
PLA is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic with low elongation at break (6.3% per ISO 527) and a Charpy notched impact strength of 3.3 kJ/m² (ISO 179). PLA's notched Charpy is actually comparable to PETG's 2.6 kJ/m² · the real difference is yield. PETG yields at 8.4% strain before breaking; ABS yields at 17.9% with 18 kJ/m² Charpy (~5× higher impact). PLA snaps clean. The polymer chains don't slide past each other readily under load, so when stress concentrates at a notch or layer-line junction, the part fractures with no warning rather than yielding.
That brittleness is the trade for PLA's other strengths · low shrinkage, sharp printed detail, and dimensional precision come from the same crystalline behaviour. PLA+ is a toughened blend (impact-modified PLA, sometimes with elastomer or rubber-particle additives) that softens the brittleness at the cost of slightly less crisp surface and a colour palette that's narrower than plain PLA.
PLA+'s glass transition temperature (Tg) sits at 61°C (DSC, 10°C/min). Below Tg the polymer chains are locked in their amorphous + crystalline domains and the part holds its shape. Above Tg the amorphous regions become rubbery · stiffness collapses, the part softens, and any residual stress from printing relaxes into warping. Heat deflection temperature (HDT) at 0.45 MPa load is 55°C, dropping to 52°C at 1.8 MPa load. The impact modifier does not raise the heat ceiling. UK car interiors easily clear 70°C in summer sun · PLA+ is the wrong material for anything that lives there.
Values measured to the ISO standards cited in the right-hand column, on the manufacturer's own injection-moulded test specimens · directly comparable to other engineering thermoplastics.
| Property | XY · print plane | Z · build axis | Unit | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | ||||
| Tensile strength | 41.3 | 32.4 | MPa | ISO 527 |
| Young's modulus | 2151 | 1984 | MPa | ISO 527 |
| Elongation at break | 5.7 | 4.7 | % | ISO 527 · low (PLA-like) · toughness is impact, not tensile |
| Flexural strength (XY) | 62.0 | MPa | ISO 178 | |
| Flexural modulus (XY) | 2393 | MPa | ISO 178 | |
| Charpy impact (notched, XY) | 38.9 | kJ/m² | ISO 179 · ~12× plain PLA from impact modifier | |
| Thermal | ||||
| Heat deflection (HDT @ 0.45 MPa) | 55 | °C | ISO 75 | |
| Heat deflection (HDT @ 1.8 MPa) | 52 | °C | ISO 75 | |
| Glass transition temperature (Tg) | 61 | °C | DSC, 10°C/min | |
| Melting temperature (Tm) | 149 | °C | DSC lab figure · not the print temperature or the in-service softening limit (see HDT/Tg) | |
| Vicat softening temperature | 62 | °C | ISO 306 | |
| Decomposition temperature | 325 | °C | TGA, 20°C/min | |
| Physical | ||||
| Density | 1.17-1.24 | g/cm³ @ 23°C | ISO 1183 | |
| Bio-sourced content | 100 | % plant-derived | manufacturer spec | |
| Industrial compostability | Not certified | · | impact modifier · EN 13432 not carried over | |
| Tensile anisotropy ratio | 1.27× | XY/Z | derived from ISO 527 | |
| Cosmetic / supply | ||||
| Stock colour range | Narrower than plain PLA | · | impact modifier limits some pigments | |
| Custom RAL match | Yes (1-2 day procurement) | · | on request | |
| Finish grades available | Standard (glossy) · matte/silk are separate grades (PLA-Matte / PLA-Silk) | · | workshop stock | |
PLA+'s anisotropy is mild (1.27× XY/Z · 41.3/32.4 MPa). For visual prototypes orient for cosmetic finish (best surface upward). For load-bearing PLA+ parts, still favour XY-direction load paths.
PLA's low elongation (6.3%) means thin walls fracture under load. The values shown follow the Hubs / Protolabs Network FDM minimums (0.8 mm supported, 2.0 mm minimum feature) · we DFM-check the wall thickness against your part's load case at quote stage.
45° is the slicer-default support threshold across every major FDM tool · PLA's fast crystallisation means it often runs steeper successfully. Exact threshold depends on cooling, geometry, and surface-finish tolerance · we DFM-check overhangs at quote stage and recommend orientation.
PLA's low shrinkage and high stiffness give it the best dimensional precision of any commodity FDM filament. Exact tolerance depends on part size, geometry, and calibration · we confirm achievable tolerance against your CAD at quote stage.
Removes 0.1-0.3 mm per surface · pre-paint prep or stand-alone hand-feel polish.
Annealing PLA causes 2-5% non-uniform shrinkage and warping · the dimensional cost almost always outweighs the small crystallinity gain. Need higher heat resistance? Switch material to PETG / ABS / ASA.
PLA takes paint cleanly. Adds 0.05-0.15 mm per surface · sand to 800 grit, primer + topcoat · for colour-matched cosmetic parts beyond the stock filament range.
PLA doesn't respond to acetone (works on ABS only) and the solvents that do work (DCM, chloroform) are workshop hazards. Pick PLA-silk or PLA-matte at print-time for layer-hidden finish · or sand + 2K paint for glass-smooth.
Every value on this page traces to an ISO test method. We don't quote derived numbers without naming the standard.
No offshore subcontracting. Files, prints, and couriers all stay in the UK.
Send three things: where the part lives (indoor / outdoor, ambient temp), what it does (cosmetic / functional / load-bearing), and colour / finish. our team come back inside 24 hours · if PETG, ABS, ASA, or another material fits better, we say so.
our team review every brief before quote. No ticket queue, no account managers.
According to the PolyMax PLA TDS, PLA+ delivers a notched Charpy of 38.9 ± 2.4 kJ/m² (XY) per ISO 179 · roughly 12× plain PLA's 3.3 kJ/m² · at Tg 61 °C and HDT 52 °C @ 1.8 MPa.
Yes. We run a closed loop in our own workshop. Failed prints, purge, and support waste are collected, reground, and reprocessed here instead of going to landfill. That is standard on every PLA+ job, no surcharge. PLA+ itself is bio-sourced from corn or sugarcane, so the feedstock and the waste stream are both accounted for.
PLA is bio-sourced. Corn starch or sugarcane is fermented into lactic acid, which is then polymerised into polylactic acid. 100% plant-derived feedstock · no petroleum carbon in the polymer chain. The end-of-life pathway is industrial composting (EN 13432) · home composting does NOT break PLA down within any reasonable timeframe.
Plain PLA is, but only in industrial composting facilities (EN 13432 conditions · ~58°C humid for 90+ days). PLA+ adds a toughening modifier so the EN 13432 certification does not carry over · treat PLA+ as bio-sourced but non-compostable. No PLA grade biodegrades in garden compost, landfill, or the ocean within any reasonable timeframe · the bio-source is the environmental win, not the disposal route.
PLA+ is the impact-modified PLA · notched Charpy 38.9 kJ/m² (PolyMax PLA TDS V5.4) vs plain PLA's ~3.3, roughly 12× the notched impact energy. Under a drop or knock it absorbs energy and resists crack-through rather than shattering. Tensile properties stay PLA-like (tensile 41.3 MPa, Young's 2151 MPa, elongation at break 5.7%) · it is not a stretchy material in tension. For drop / snap-fit / vibration service inside the PLA family, PLA+ is the pick; plain PLA is lower-cost when impact does not matter.
Tg sits at 61°C · above this PLA+ softens rapidly. HDT is 55°C at 0.45 MPa load and 52°C at 1.8 MPa. The impact modifier does not raise the heat ceiling. A PLA+ part left in a hot car (interior easily hits 70°C+ in summer) will deform. Anything that touches hot water, sees direct sunlight on a warm day, or sits near a radiator is the wrong use case. Switch to PETG (HDT 78°C) or ABS / ASA (HDT 100°C) for warm-service parts.
No, not for any sustained period. PLA yellows and embrittles in months of direct UV. Combined with its 61°C Tg and UV sensitivity, outdoor service is the wrong use case. ASA is the outdoor-default · UV-stabilised PC for clear / engineering outdoor parts. PLA for indoor only.
PLA+ comes in a stock-colour range that is narrower than plain PLA · the toughening modifier limits some pigment compatibilities. Custom RAL match is available on request (1-2 day filament procurement). Pick PLA+ for impact survival, not for colour range · if the part is cosmetic-only and never sees a knock, plain PLA has the wider palette.
PETG is more ductile, not raw-tougher. Notched Charpy is similar (PETG 2.6 kJ/m² vs PLA 3.3 kJ/m² per TDS V5.4) but PETG yields at 8.4% strain before breaking, while PLA snaps clean at 6.3%. PETG holds more heat (HDT ~78°C vs PLA+ 55°C), survives mild outdoor exposure slightly better, and dents instead of cracks under impact. PLA+ matches plain PLA on processability and tensile properties (41.3 MPa, Young's 2151 MPa) while delivering ~12× higher notched Charpy (38.9 vs 3.3 kJ/m²) and impact crack-resistance. Pick PETG when you need yield-before-break ductility · PLA+ when impact survival matters and you want PLA print-ease.
No · annealing PLA causes unpredictable shrinkage (often 2-5% non-uniform across XY and Z) and frequently leaves the part warped. The crystallinity gain is real but the dimensional cost usually isn't worth it. If you need higher heat resistance, switch material to PETG / ABS / ASA rather than annealing PLA. Different from PA12-CF, where annealing IS recommended.
Filament cost is roughly £25-40/kg for stock-colour PLA+ · around 2× the price of plain PLA (~£18-28/kg), the price of surviving drops that snap plain PLA clean. PETG sits at £25-40/kg, ABS / ASA at £30-45/kg, PA12-CF at £90-130/kg. For impact-loaded indoor parts that still want PLA print-ease, PLA+ is the cost-effective pick. Per-unit pricing on parts depends on geometry and quantity · ask in your brief and we'll quote the most cost-effective configuration.
PLA's chemical resistance is one of its weakest properties. It fails against most solvents, all strong acids and alkalis, and most fuels. Useful for water, mild detergents, and brief alcohol contact only. Match your specific exposure below before specifying.
| Chemical / family | Resistance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cold water, room temperature | Excellent | Indoor parts, washable surfaces |
| Detergents, soap (mild) | Excellent | Workshop wash-down OK for indoor parts |
| Sea water / saline (brief) | Limited | Weeks-to-months OK · saturated immersion = hydrolysis |
| Mineral oil (brief contact) | Limited | Surface ok briefly · sustained contact softens |
| Methanol, ethanol, IPA (cleaning wipe) | Limited | Cleaning OK, no soak |
| Methanol, ethanol, IPA (sustained) | Fails | PLA softens and creeps |
| Brake fluid (DOT 3 / 4 glycol) | Limited | Brief contact only |
| Weak organic acids (acetic, citric) | Limited | Slow attack · brief contact only |
| Hot water (sustained > 50°C) | Fails | Tg cliff + hydrolysis combined |
| Petrol, diesel | Fails | Sustained contact dissolves PLA |
| Engine oils sustained | Fails | Creeps and softens |
| Acetone | Fails | Surface attack · does NOT smooth PLA like ABS |
| MEK | Fails | Dissolves PLA |
| Toluene, xylene | Fails | Strong solvents |
| DCM, chloroform | Fails | Industrial PLA solvents · workshop hazards |
| Ethyl acetate | Fails | PLA solvent · used for industrial vapour smoothing (workshop hazard) |
| Strong acids (sulphuric, HCl, nitric) | Fails | Polymer chain breakdown |
| Strong alkalis (NaOH > 5%) | Fails | Saponification of ester bonds |
Ratings reflect long-term / sustained exposure. Brief contact (cleaning wipes, splashes) is more forgiving than the table suggests. For any chemical service beyond indoor cleaning, switch material to PETG, ABS, or PA12-CF depending on the exposure.
Layer lines visible like any FDM print · but PLA holds dimensional precision exceptionally well, which means consistent layer-line geometry. PLA sands smoothly through 240/400/800 grits. Takes 2K spray paint cleanly. Matte and silk PLA grades hide layer lines better than glossy. For glass-smooth without paint, PLA-silk + light hand-sanding gets close.
Plain stock-colour PLA at standard infill. For batches above 20 units, ask for batch pricing · the per-unit drops significantly because workshop time per part falls as we plan multi-part beds. Stock colours are lower-cost than custom-RAL matched. Tell us colour + qty in the brief and we'll quote the most cost-effective configuration.
You'll hear back from our team within 24 hours · with material-fit check, colour confirmation, and lead time on every quote.