Protopasta Protopasta Dragon Scale Purple HTPLA Filament - 1.75mm (0.5kg)

Stunningly Strong

Protopasta's Translucent HTPLA Filament opens up a world of creative possibilities with its unique transparent quality. Whether you're crafting intricate designs or bold statement pieces, the translucent base offers unparalleled versatility and aesthetic appeal.

• The translucent PLA base allows for varied appearances based on wall thickness.
• Perfect for 3D printing toys, treasures, and keepsakes, adding to every creation.
• Heat-treating not only enhances structural integrity but also results in a finish reminiscent of tinted windows or the sleek lenses of sunglasses.

Strength and Stability

Protopasta's HTPLA is an advanced form of PLA designed to withstand higher temperatures through a process called heat treating (or annealing). Unlike standard PLA, HTPLA can be transformed from an amorphous structure to a crystalline one, enhancing its thermal resistance and durability.

• Heat treating significantly boosts the temperature resistance of your 3D prints, ensuring they maintain their integrity in higher-temperature environments.
• By baking your 3D printed parts post-production, you convert the filament's structure from amorphous to crystalline, locking in durability and performance.
• Annealing enhances machinability and formability, increases ductility and toughness, and provides stress relief to your 3D-printed parts.

Ideal for Advanced Applications

• Heat treating HTPLA changes its internal structure, allowing it to maintain its properties well above the glass transition temperature (Tg) and up towards the melting point (Tm).
• The shift from an amorphous to a crystalline structure means that HTPLA retains its strength and functionality even in higher temperature environments, making it ideal for more demanding applications.
• This transformation significantly broadens the useful temperature range of HTPLA, as demonstrated by the difference between Tg and Tm in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results.
• With its enhanced properties, HTPLA is perfect for 3D projects requiring higher thermal stability without sacrificing the ease of use associated with standard PLA.

How to Anneal HTPLA

To fully capitalize on the benefits of HTPLA, heat treating (or annealing) is essential post-printing, as the crystalline structure reverts to amorphous when melted. Follow these improved step-by-step instructions to enhance your 3D prints:

Gather Your Materials:

• A large oven with precise temperature control and stability.
• Aluminum foil, if you have a small oven or one with glowing coils, to shield the 3D prints from direct heat.
• A flat surface, such as a wood block, cutting board, or silicone mat, is placed on a baking sheet.
• Your HTPLA 3D printed parts, with supports if necessary.

Prep Your Oven:

• Preheat the oven to a temperature range of 95-120°C (200-250°F).
• If using an electric oven, wait until the coils are no longer glowing. If glowing coils are unavoidable, cover them with the foil sheet to prevent direct heat exposure before preheating your oven.

Bake Your 3D Prints:

• Once the oven is preheated, carefully place your 3D printed part on the prepared surface and insert it into the oven.
• Bake the part for approximately 10 minutes. Or until you observe a change in the material's appearance, indicating the transformation to a crystalline structure.

Tips & Tricks

• HTPLA doesn't require drying, but if drying, do not dry above the glass transition temperature, as this can heat treat HTPLA. For PLA, dry at 50°C (125°F).
• Use a 0.4 mm brass or plated brass nozzle with a heater block sock at a temperature of 195 - 225 °C and a bed temperature of 50 - 56°C.
• Ensure your 3D print bed is clean with adhesive.