PLA Melting Point | The Definitive Guide

PLA Melting Point 

The melting point of PLA plastic typically ranges from 150 to 160 °C.

PLA, also known as Polylactide, is a popular thermoplastic from lactic monomers sourced from natural materials such as sugarcane and corn. This versatile and biodegradable plastic has numerous applications and is the second most widely used bioplastic globally, with thermoplastic starch being the most used.

PLA shares characteristics with traditional thermoplastics such as Polypropylene (PP) and Polyethylene (PE). The manufacturing process for PLA is relatively inexpensive as it can be produced using existing machinery designed for petroleum-based thermoplastics.

This article aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the melting point of PLA plastic and how it affects its general properties and other essential factors.

Before delving into the topic, it’s essential first to understand what is meant by the term “melting point.”

Definition of Melting Point and How It is Measured?

Plastic melting point refers to the temperature at which a plastic material transitions from solid to liquid.

This is a crucial parameter that determines the processing temperature range of plastic materials, including methods such as injection molding, extrusion, and other thermal processing techniques.

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is the most common method used to measure the melting point of any plastic material.

DSC measures the heat flow of a polymer as it is heated or cooled at a controlled rate.

The melting point is determined by analyzing the endothermic peak in the heat flow curve, corresponding to the energy required to melt the polymer.

Hot-stage microscopy is another method used to determine melting point, which allows for direct visualization of the polymer melting process.

Factors Affecting PLA Melting Point

There are various factors affecting the PLA melt temperature. Below I have mentioned several attributes affecting PLA melting temp the most.

Molecular Weight

Molecular weight is a critical factor that affects the melting point of PLA. As the molecular weight of PLA increases, its melting point also increases.

This is because high molecular weight polymers have more entanglements and intermolecular interactions, which require more energy to break the bonds and transition from a solid to a liquid state.

The melting point of PLA is significantly impacted by its molecular weight.

As the molecular weight of PLA increases, its melting point also increases.

This is because high molecular weight polymers possess more entanglements and intermolecular interactions, necessitating more energy to break the bonds and facilitate the transition from a solid to a liquid state.

Crystallinity

Another critical factor that plays a role in determining the PLA’s melting point is crystallinity.

Crystalline regions within a polymer necessitate more energy to melt than amorphous regions.

PLA features a semi-crystalline structure with both amorphous and crystalline regions.

The level of crystallinity present within the PLA polymer significantly impacts its melting point, with more excellent crystallinity resulting in a higher melting point.

Opting for crystalline or semi-crystalline grades can significantly enhance the density of PLA.

This is because an increase in the level of crystallinity within the polymer is known to increase stiffness and strength.

Stereocomplex Formation

Stereocomplex formation is a process in which two different enantiomeric forms of PLA, L-PLA, and D-PLA, are combined to form a crystalline structure with a higher melting point than either enantiomer alone.

The formation of the stereo complex increases the melting point of PLA, making it suitable for high-temperature applications.

Glass Transition Temperature

When PLA is subjected to temperatures beyond its glass transition temperature, its polymer chains become more mobile and readily transition from solid to liquid.

As a result, the higher the PLA glass transition temperature, the higher its melting point will be.

This implies that selecting the appropriate grade of PLA is crucial, as different grades can have varying glass transition temperatures, ultimately impacting the material’s melting point.

How Does The Melting Point of PLA Impact Its Other Properties?

The PLA melt temperature determines its mechanical, thermal, and processing properties. Let’s delve into how the melt point of PLA influences its other properties.

Mechanical Properties

The mechanical properties of PLA, such as stiffness, strength, and hardness, are directly impacted by its melting point.

If PLA is heated beyond its melting point, it loses its original mechanical properties as it transitions from a solid to a liquid state.

Furthermore, higher melting points of PLA tend to improve its mechanical properties.

The polymer chains become more dense, leading to more vital intermolecular forces and better mechanical performance.

Therefore, selecting a higher-grade PLA with a higher melting point can improve mechanical properties.

Thermal Properties

Its melting point greatly influences the thermal properties of PLA. If PLA is heated beyond its melting point, it goes through a phase change from solid to liquid, significantly increasing its thermal conductivity.

In addition, the PLA melt point impacts its heat deflection temperature, which is the temperature at which the material starts to deform under a load.

As the melting point of PLA increases, its heat deflection temperature also tends to increase, resulting in better thermal stability and resistance to deformation at high temperatures.

Processing Properties

The processing properties of PLA, such as melt viscosity, processing temperature range, and processing time, are also significantly impacted by its melting point.

If PLA is heated beyond its melting point, it becomes dense and less malleable, making it difficult to process.

Moreover, the processing temperature range of PLA is directly influenced by its melting point.

The processing temperature range refers to the degree of temperatures at which the material can be successfully processed using injection molding, extrusion, and thermoforming methods.

If the processing temperature range of PLA is too narrow, it can result in processing difficulties and suboptimal quality of the final product.

Furthermore, the melting point of PLA also affects its processing time.

If the PLA melt temp is too high, it may require longer processing times to reach the desired temperature, leading to higher production costs.

FAQs

Can I microwave PLA?

No, PLA materials are unsuitable for heat in a microwave or any other scenario where they come in contact with heat as they are not designed to be used in heated environments. Microwaves heat their insides by agitating water molecules which can incinerate PLA.

Is PLA food safe?

Generally, PLA is considered food safe as it is bioplastic and is made from corn starch. However, it’s not that simple because manufacturers often add various additives and filaments for features like strength, color, and flexibility, making PLA unsuitable for food-grade plastic.

What is better for 3D printing PLA or ABS?

PLA is ideal for 3D printing parts where aesthetics are a top priority. Its lower melting temperature makes printing easier; therefore, making something with fine details becomes effortless. On the other hand, ABS is also a delicate material for 3D printing parts where strength, machinability, flexibility, and thermal stability are essential. Unfortunately, ABS is more prone to warping.

Is PLA stronger than nylon?

PLA is a very user-friendly thermoplastic with higher strength than ABS and Nylon.

How is PLA material made?

The basic ingredient of PLA material is lactic acid. PLA material is formed from the lactic monomers extracted by the fermentation of sugarcane, beet sugar, etc. It can be produced using three methods – Ring-opening polymerization, Direct polycondensation reaction, and Azeotropic dehydrative condensation.

Summary

PLA melting point is critical in various applications, especially in the 3D printing industry. With a relatively low melting point compared to other thermoplastics, PLA is relatively easy to print, making it a popular material among 3D printing enthusiasts.

However, it also means that PLA objects are susceptible to deformation under high temperatures, limiting their use in high-temperature applications. It is essential to consider the melting point of PLA when selecting it for specific applications and to ensure that it is used within its temperature range to avoid degradation or failure of the printed object.

Further research is needed to optimize the properties of PLA and expand its use in various applications.

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