Material Spotlight – Natureworks 870 PLA

Spools of Natureworks 870 PLA

Natureworks Ingeo 870 PLA is a premium bioplastic made from starchy plants such as Cassava and Corn. 870 is a tough engineering PLA with high crystallinity and improved heat resistance.

Though it has ideal properties for printing, PLA has traditionally had a few downsides, including it’s low ~60°C heat deformation temperature, however 870 PLA can be further annealed after printing to increase it’s heat resistance to over 85°C. Even without annealing, 870 has over 4x better impact resistance than standard PLA, higher even than ABS.

Excerpt from 870 Technical Data Sheet “Ingeo 3D870 is a grade developed for manufacturing 3D printer monofilament. Engineered to deliver improved heat-resistance and high impact strength to 3D printed parts, this formulated grade achieves thermal and mechanical properties similar to ABS while offering an alternative to styrenic-based materials. Monofilaments made with Ingeo 3D870 provide excellent 3D printing characteristics such as precise detail, good adhesion to build plates, less warping or curling, and low odor”

Indeed, 870 is the base material many brands use to produce their house-brand Engineering PLA, or PLA+ spools. Innovative materials like this bring a great everyday printing filament to the table.