eSun PLA - Glow Blue - 1.75mm - 1kg Filament

Please Note: eSun has recently changed their filament spool material. You may receive a cardboard spool, instead of the plastic spools depicted above. This move means a more environmentally friendly design to their 3D filament spools which comfortably sit on your 3D printer's standard spool holder for smooth filament feeding.

PLA 3D printer filament is one of the most commonly available types of plastic alongside ABS and is known for its low required printing temperatures and resistance to warping. PLA stands for Polyactic Acid, which is a biodegradable plastic made from materials like sugarcane and corn starch. This also means that it’s non-toxic, non-harmful and environmentally friendly – all while offering the quality-of-life benefit of a sweet and safe aroma during the printing process. Compared to ABS, or Acrylonitrile-Butadiene Styrene, PLA is far easier to use for both beginners and veterans, as long as the application for printed items does not involve high temperatures.

Although these spools are unique in the way that the polymer actually absorbs light and then radiates it in the dark, they are typically defined as standard PLA Filaments, since they share the exact same characteristics and printing specifications. This means you don't have to adjust your settings when changing from standard PLA to this filament, and you can simply switch between filaments at will - even during the printing process if you want to add some glow in the dark parts to a standard PLA print.

ADVANTAGES OF PLA

PLA is an ideal type of plastic for beginners, as it is both safer and easier to use than a majority of other plastics. This, however, doesn’t mean it’s not appropriate for advanced projects, as veterans also utilize PLA for a wide variety of applications. What it does mean is that PLA is a great starting point before trying out more difficult plastics like ABS and PETG, as it allows more margin for error, with wider temperature ranges and an easier-to-manage Melt Flow Index. This directly translates to smoother and more stable prints, with very little testing and learning required beforehand.

For basic applications like printing figurines or small objects, PLA also offers a more visually attractive finish and, due to the less malleable nature, offers a shinier, smoother appearance than ABS. The only downfall of PLA is that it has a lower melting point, meaning that it can’t be utilized for printing parts that will be exposed to high temperatures – as it will likely melt, warp or distort. With that said, however, PLA tends to warp less during printing, since the differences in printing and cooling temperatures are less extreme.

Available in a wide range of translucencies and colour saturations, PLA is a great plastic for 3D printing almost any object that will not be exposed to heat. With all of the benefits mentioned above, as well as higher printing speeds and lower layer heights, there is good reason why it’s one of the most popular and commonly available 3D printer materials throughout the world.

As a final note, you may also want to take a look at our range of PLA+ Filaments, which offer almost all of the benefits that PLA does, as well as a host of others.

Additional Note: Although this filament is based on PLA, the additive used to make it glow is quite abrasive, and as such we recommend getting a Spare Nozzle to use with specifically for this filament. Alternatively, you could also choose to equip your 3D Printer with a more durable nozzle like a Hardened Steel Nozzle, a Plated Brass Nozzle or an A2 Tool Steel Nozzle, as well as the ultimate in durability, the Vanadium Nozzles, which will all be able to handle this filament with ease, while also offering slightly improved printing qualities for other filaments too.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

Some of the top reasons why we choose to deal with eSUN when compared to the many other filament suppliers include:

• Excellent Temperature Stability – Fewer defects and inconsistencies translates to a more consistent flow, which can help produce more stable, smooth and aesthetically pleasing prints.
• Pure, Non-Recycled Raw Materials – eSUN choose not to utilize any recycled materials at all, and only utilize pure, fresh materials. This ensures that there are never any defects in their products, and that the quality is always consistent.
• SGS Certified – FDA and ISO9001 approved, eSUN operates in a safe and sustainable manner to ensure safe and consistent quality products. This keeps you safe as an end-user, ensuring you don’t have to worry about unnecessary health risks.
• Dry, Clean and Neat Storage and Packaging – As many 3D Makers will know, keeping filament clean, dry and within a sealed container is vital, as it stops the filament from absorbing water molecules – which can easily damage printer parts or ruin prints. eSUN adhere to strict packaging protocols which ensure the filament is kept clean and dry until you decide to open them. Additionally, the spools are clear, which we have found to be very helpful when trying to estimate how much filament is left.
• Stringent Quality Control Checks – With modernized quality control checks that utilize lasers for enhanced accuracy, eSUN always guarantee the highest quality filament possible. And while they advertise a diameter spec’ difference of +/- 0.05mm on their 1kg, 330 meter product, in reality the difference is even smaller, often being closer to 0.03mm upon professional inspection. This directly translates to greater consistency during printing, with reduced chances of nozzle clogs or other related problems.
• Leaders in 3D Printing – eSUN have been in the 3D printing business for over a decade and a half now, and have had plentiful time to refine and enhance their formulations. This is demonstrated in their invention of the 3D printer cleaning filament, as well as their wide range of patented unique printing materials – such as the flexible, rubbery, metallic, luminescent and glow-in-the-dark ranges.