When considering 3D printing components for your car, it’s crucial to choose the right materials. Polylactic acid (PLA) is a popular choice for 3D printing due to its ease of use and biodegradability. However, for car parts, especially those exposed to sunlight or heat, PLA may not be the best option.
One common issue encountered with PLA in automotive applications is its susceptibility to deformation under relatively low temperatures. For instance, even a car interior not in direct sunlight can experience significant heat buildup. Imagine printing sun visor hinge pins from PLA, thinking they’re shielded from intense sun. Even on moderately warm days around 29 °C (85 ˚F), these PLA pins can warp and deform simply from the heat inside the car. Upgrading to PETG improves things, but even PETG can slightly deform in extreme car temperatures.
Alt text: Warped and deformed 3D printed sun visor hinge pin made of PLA, illustrating PLA’s heat sensitivity in automotive applications.
The problem stems from PLA’s limited temperature resistance. Temperatures inside a car parked in the sun can easily exceed 50 °C (122 °F) locally on dashboards or other interior surfaces. While a part lower down in the car might experience slightly less heat, it’s still risky to rely on PLA for parts that need to maintain their shape and function in a vehicle environment.
For reliable car parts, particularly those bearing loads or requiring dimensional stability, consider materials engineered for higher temperatures. Nylon (Polyamide, PA), ABS, or specialized high-temperature co-polymers like Amphora HT5300 offer superior heat resistance. Numerous options exist, allowing you to select a material that matches the specific demands of your automotive part.
If you’re creating purely decorative, non-stressed components like covers or bushings, PLA could be used. However, for any critical or structural car part, it’s wise to choose a more temperature-stable material from the outset to avoid potential failures.
Referencing technical data sheets from filament manufacturers highlights these limitations. For PLA, Ultimaker’s data specifies:
Not suitable for long term outdoor usage or applications where the printed part is exposed to temperatures higher than 50 °C (122 °F).
Similarly, for Nylon, they note:
Not suitable for applications where the printed part is exposed to temperatures higher than 80 °C (176 °F).
As a general guideline for material temperature limits in automotive contexts:
- Basic Co-Polymers: up to 70 °C (158 °F)
- ABS: up to 85 °C (185 °F)
- Enhanced Co-Polymers and ASA: up to 100 °C (212 °F)
- Polypropylene (PP): up to 105 °C (221 °F)
- Polycarbonate (PC): up to 110 °C (230 °F)
In conclusion, while PLA is versatile for many 3D printing projects, its temperature sensitivity makes it a less than ideal choice for many “Good Parts Car”. For durable and reliable automotive components, especially those exposed to heat or stress, opting for materials like Nylon, ABS, or high-temperature co-polymers is strongly recommended. Always consult material specifications to ensure suitability for your specific car part application.
Alt text: Spool of Ultimaker PLA filament, highlighting a popular 3D printing material that, while versatile, is not ideal for all automotive applications due to temperature limitations.
