Material Ratings
Our materials are graded on a relative scale according to a combination of our own tests, manufacturer specifications and other independent results.
Matte PLA for example has the following stats:
Density
Vicat Softening Temperature
Tensile Strength
Impact Strength
1.31 g/cm³
63 °C
32 ± 3 MPa
19.2 ± 3.7 kJ/m²
Polylactic Acid (PLA) is a bioplastic, which gives it some unique properties. One of these properties is the ability to biodegrade under the right conditions, of course this is a double edged sword, if you have a part constantly exposed to sunlight or in a hot, damp environment this may cause your part to fatigue and become brittle over time, however this can be overcome by applying a protective coating.
In comparison ASA has the following properties:
Density
Vicat Softening Temperature
Tensile Strength
Impact Strength
1.07 g/cm³
101 °C
42.5 MPa
18 kJ/m²
Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA) is a more traditional plastic, while not as friendly for the environment ASA will last significantly longer than PLA when exposed to similar circumstances. Some of its special properties include UV resistance, heat resistance, chemical resistance, high strength and a great surface finish.