Today, as 3D printing technology is becoming more and more popular, more and more home users are trying to create exclusive items with their home 3D printers. However, choosing the right printing filament is especially crucial for ideal printing results. So, which materials are suitable for home printers? Why are PLA+ materials becoming the preferred choice for home printing?

This question is a very hot topic in Reddit's 3D printing circles, with some 3D printing enthusiasts saying, “Many abrasive materials (anything containing carbon fiber) need to be printed with hardened steel gear. Many of these materials can be very expensive and difficult to print. In addition, the design and print direction must be optimized for 3D printing to get the best results.” There are also enthusiasts who say, “Some 3D printing filaments with additives help break structural bonds in plastics and relieve uneven cooling stresses that cause warping. The only reason to use these filaments is that the printing environment is not optimized for warpage prevention. Short strand fibers do not increase print strength. These additives reduce material strength. They are only there to improve print quality. Look up any YT channel or blog that scientifically tests materials and documents the results. You will clearly see that all filaments with fiber additives perform structurally worse than the same material without additives.”

And nowadays 3D printing technology is developing rapidly, in addition to the common TPU,PETG, ABS, PLA in the market, the newly upgraded PLA+ filament is more favored by 3D printers, let me combine these types of 3D printing filament and comprehensively analyze the most suitable filament for home printers, PLA+.

Which materials are more suitable for home printers?

Home 3D printers are usually looking for ease of use and safety, so they need to choose materials that are easy to use and environmentally friendly. Let's take a look at the table below to get a comprehensive understanding of the materials that are best suited for home printers: 

Material	Feature	Printing Temperature	Application Scenario
PLA+	1 Enhanced version of PLA, higher strength, better toughness 2 Maintains the easy-to-print and environmentally friendly characteristics of PLA.	200-230 ℃	Functional models, durable parts, displays
PLA	1 Easy to print, environmentally friendly (biodegradable) 2 Low melting point, no irritating odor 3 High hardness but brittle	190-220 ℃	Decorative items, toys, conceptual models, etc.
ABS	1 High strength, good toughness, high temperature resistance 2 Irritating odor when printing 3 Easy to warp, need heated bed support	230 ℃	Functional parts, tools, electronic housings
PETG	1 Strength and toughness between PLA and ABS 2 Good chemical resistance, UV resistance 3 Slightly warped	220-250 ℃	Food containers, machine parts, outdoor items
TPU	1 Elastic material, good flexibility 2 Low-speed printing required 3 Sensitive to humidity, need dry storage	210-230 ℃	Shoe soles, seals, protective cases and other flexible items

Based on the comparative data in the table above, PLA+ is popular for its more balanced performance, easier operation, better print quality, and environmental friendliness, which makes it suitable for a wide range of home printing needs.

Why is PLA+ becoming more and more popular for home use?

It is not by chance that PLA+ has risen to prominence in the home sector compared to traditional PLA. Let's take a look at some of its advantages:

1. Better performance

Higher strength and toughness: Compared with conventional PLA, PLA+ has significantly higher impact resistance and ductility, and can withstand greater external forces without breaking, while the tensile strength of UJOYBIO3D's Hyper PLA+ series reaches an amazing 66.1MPa.

Better Appearance Quality: The surface of PLA+ printing is usually smoother and more delicate, with a weakened layer line feeling, making the finished product look more exquisite.

2. Improved printability

Similar to PLA, the printing temperature of PLA+ is similar to that of PLA (generally 200-230 ℃), which does not require high equipment. UJOYBIO3D recommends 220 ℃ printing temperature for Hyper PLA+ series.

Less warping and cracking. Since PLA+ is processed with some reinforcing agents and has a lower thermal expansion rate, warping rarely occurs even in larger sizes.

3. Combining durability and environmental friendliness

While PLA itself is hard but brittle, PLA+ enhances toughness while still maintaining a high level of strength for greater durability, making it suitable for printing functional and durable parts.

Like PLA, PLA+ is still made from renewable resources, such as corn starch, which is in line with environmental trends and is easier to degrade after disposal. Compared with materials such as ABS, PLA+ is virtually odorless when printing, making it more suitable for home environments. UJOYBIO3D's PLA series is made from high-quality plant-based starch materials, emitting low levels of fumes and no irritating odors during the printing process, an excellent choice for environmentally conscious users.

4. Cost-effective

Although PLA+ is slightly more expensive than regular PLA, it is still reasonably priced compared to other engineered materials (e.g. PETG, ABS, etc.), making it suitable for home users' budgets and more cost-effective.

When the printing success rate is higher, it reduces the failure rate, especially in scenarios where high quality and strength are required, without the need for frequent reprinting, saving materials.

5. Wide range of application scenarios

PLA+ combines the ease of use of PLA and the durability of ABS, making it suitable for models, toys, electronic cases, tools, and everyday items, covering the full range from decorative to functional parts.

Some application scenarios that require abrasion resistance, durability and delicate appearance have a high demand for PLA+, which is suitable for high demands on appearance and mechanical properties.

Which PLA+ materials are available on the market with better quality?

There are many brands of PLA+ materials available in the market today, but the quality varies. However, when selecting a good quality PLA+ material, we have to look at its parameters first. The following table shows the parameters of Matte PLA Filament and Hyper PLA+ Filament from UJOYBIO3D:

Test Item	Metallic PLA Filament	Hyper PLA+ Filament
Density g/cm³	1.3	1.32
Melt index g/10min( 190℃/2.16Kg)	6.1	4.1
Tensile strength MPa	45.2	66.1
Elongation at break %	52.5	21
Flexural strength MPa	62.9	77.7
Flexural modulus MPa	3022.3	2008.7
Impact strength of cantilever beam KJ/m2	6.5	13
Heat distortion temperature ℃	56	55.1
Printing temperature ℃	200~230	195~220
Base plate temperature ℃	40~60	40~60
Printing speed mm/s	≥300	≥300
Recommended printing temperature ℃	220	220

 Below is a graph comparing the curve parameters of UJOYBIO3D's Hyper PLA+ filament with Nanovia.

From the above table and pictures, we can compare the parameters of other brands, UJOYBIO3D's Hyper PLA+ series has higher quality and better durability.

Why do you recommend UJOYBIO3D's PLA+ material?

Among many brands, UJOYBIO3D's PLA+ material stands out with excellent performance and good user reputation. Here are its main highlights:

1 Excellent R&D capability

UJOYBIO3D is deeply engaged in the field of 3D printing materials, with a professional R&D team and leading production technology. They constantly optimize the formula of PLA+ to enhance its mechanical properties and printing effect, ensuring that the product is always at the forefront of the industry.

2 Top quality parameters

Diameter of 1.75mm, precision ±0.02mm, without any air bubbles, to ensure the stability of printing for a long time.

Tensile strength up to 66.1MPa, 30% higher than ordinary PLA.

Elongation at break up to 21%, both high toughness and rigidity.

Printing temperature range of 195 ℃ -220 ℃, the recommended printing temperature of 220 degrees, suitable for a variety of printer settings.

3 Environmentally Friendly and Healthy

UJOYBIO3D's PLA+ material is made of high-quality plant-based starch material, which is not only strong but also environmentally friendly. It emits low levels of fumes during the printing process and has no irritating odor. In addition, the filaments are made from fully recyclable cardboard reels, making it an excellent choice for environmentally conscious users. It is fully compliant with EU RoHS and REACH certification standards and is harmless to the human body.

4 User Friendly Experience

The material prints smoothly without pulling problems, and the surface of the printed model is smooth and delicate, which reduces the trouble of post-processing. Meanwhile, its packaging is thoughtfully designed with a vacuum sealing bag and desiccant inside to ensure that the material is always dry and smooth to use.

Conclusion

When choosing a home 3D printing filament, a quality material can make your creation twice as effective. UJOYBIO3D's PLA+ material is at the forefront of the market in terms of R&D capability, quality performance, and environmental attributes. If you are looking for a filament that is both suitable for home use and high performance, UJOYBIO3D's PLA+ Filament is undoubtedly your best choice! Let's open up the infinite possibilities of 3D printing with innovative materials!