Focus on materials: PLA-R Kimya

The Kimya PLA-R Kimya is the new material in our eco-designed range; it is obtained from recycled plastic, hence the “R” suffix. Six grades will be offered to the market to supplement our PLA-based range of filaments. Discover its properties and printing parameters!

 

Polylactic acid

PLA is a polymer that is highly valued in the additive manufacturing sector; it is one of the main materials used in fused deposition technology as it offers interesting properties in terms of ease of printing and durability. It is partly biosourced, designed using cornstarch. It is a polymer available in the amorphous or semi-crystalline form: its low crystallization speed is a function of the relatively low glass transition temperature. It is currently frequently used in food packaging.

 

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The PLA-R range has 6 different grades

The PLA-R from Kimya

The raw material for our PLA-R is obtained from waste from industrial production. Waste material is ground up and then granulated via an extrusion step at recycling plants. This recycling process is called regeneration. If you look deeper into its definition, it equates to “any process enabling substances, materials or products that have already been used to offer equivalent performance to the original substances, materials or products vis-à-vis the intended use.” Six grades will be offered to the market: PLA-R Natural, White, Grey, Black, Red and Blue.

 

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Photo credits: Kimya

The properties of PLA-R

Our material offers multiple advantages:

  • A high level of printability
  • No odor emissions
  • No need for a heating plate
  • At least 97% recycled

 

It should be noted, however, that PLA is sensitive to UV and humidity, which limits it to indoor applications. It also has low resistance to heat (up to 60°C).

 

In terms of applications, the material is ideal for the production of prototypes and also for various decorative objects. It is also highly valued in agriculture, industry and architecture.

 

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Photo credits: Kimya

The PLA-R Natural in close-up

The PLA-R Natural grade has a number of exclusive properties. It is biodegradable as defined by the EN 13432 and EN ISO 14855 standards at a maximum thickness of 1mm.

Reference PLA-R Natural is also a reference containing 100% recycled.

 

And the printing parameters?

The printing parameters of the PLA-R are the same as those of the classic PLA, namely:

  • Printing temperature of 200°C
  • Unheated plate temperature of 60°C
  • Print speed of 50mm per second

 

These parameters are provided for information purposes only and depend above all on the particular 3D printer being used. We recommend that you should carry out a number of print tests in order to establish the right parameters, or contact our team directly who will be able to advise you.