---
title: PLA Filament
description: "[What](#what) [Who](#who) [How](#how) # PLA Filament ### What Is It? - Technical Name - Polylactic Acid (PLA) - Chemical Formula - (C3H4O2)n - Glass Temp - 50-55°C - Melt Temp - 170-180°C - Thermoplastic ![](/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Filament-Spool-Red-v2-square.jpg) --- ![](/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Wallace_Carothers_in_the_lab-2.jpg) Wallace Carothers -…"
url: "https://hotends.com/kb/pla-filament/"
updated: "2022-12-26"
category: Filament
---

# PLA Filament

[What](#what) [Who](#who) [How](#how)

# PLA Filament

### What Is It?

- Technical Name - Polylactic Acid (PLA)
- Chemical Formula - (C3H4O2)n
- Glass Temp - 50-55°C
- Melt Temp - 170-180°C
- Thermoplastic

   ![](/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Filament-Spool-Red-v2-square.jpg)

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   ![](/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Wallace_Carothers_in_the_lab-2.jpg)

Wallace Carothers - Source: [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallace_Carothers)

### Who Invented It?

The year was 1932 when 36 year old DuPont Chemist Wallace Carothers developed a process to create PLA in the lab. He had already been recognised for the development of nylon and neoprene - however unable to develop a commercially viable method of production left DuPont with no will to patent untill the 1950's.

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## But you're here to Print...
So lets fast forward a bit to 2022

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## How to print with PLA?

Quickstart:

- Hotend Temp: 190°C
- Bed Temp: No heat required / 55°C if you want
- Fan Speed: 100%

Bed surface preparation:

- Hair Spray (unscented)
- Blue Painters Tape
- Glue Stick
- Bare Glass (cleaned with alcohol)

    ![](/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/calibration-cube-J-Head™-Farmer-Printed.jpg)

J-Head™ Farmer shown 3D Printing PLA on bare glass *rendering