When it comes to modifying or repairing your vehicle, especially with the exciting possibilities of 3D printing, material selection is crucial. A common question arises: can you use PLA (Polylactic Acid) for Car Parts Inside The Car? The short answer, especially if those parts are exposed to sunlight or heat buildup within the cabin, is generally no.
PLA is a popular 3D printing material due to its ease of use and biodegradability in industrial composting facilities. However, its weakness lies in its temperature sensitivity. Inside a car, particularly on a sunny day, temperatures can soar. Even on a moderately warm day, the dashboard or areas near the windows can easily exceed 50°C (122°F). PLA starts to soften and deform at relatively low temperatures, typically around this point or even lower depending on the specific PLA blend.
Consider a real-world example: Someone printed sun visor hinge pins from PLA for their car. These weren’t even in direct sunlight. Despite the outside temperature being mild (around 29°C or 85°F), the PLA pins deformed after just one day inside the car. The replacement, printed in PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol), fared better but still showed slight deformation in extreme heat. This highlights that even PETG, while more heat-resistant than PLA, might not be ideal for all car parts inside the car that experience high temperatures.
For durable car parts inside the car, especially those in hotter areas or under stress, consider materials engineered to withstand higher temperatures. Better alternatives include:
- Nylon (Polyamide, PA): Offers good strength and higher temperature resistance than PLA and PETG.
- ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): A common automotive plastic known for its durability and heat resistance, though it can be more challenging to print than PLA.
- High-Temperature Co-Polymers: Specialty filaments like Amphora HT5300 and others are designed for elevated temperature applications.
- ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate): Similar to ABS but with improved UV resistance, making it better for parts exposed to sunlight.
- Polycarbonate (PC): Offers excellent heat resistance and strength, but requires higher printing temperatures and specific printer setups.
- Polypropylene (PP): Known for its chemical resistance and flexibility, with moderate heat resistance.
To give you a clearer picture, here’s a general guideline for temperature limits of common 3D printing materials in prolonged exposure scenarios within car parts inside the car:
- 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)
While PLA might be suitable for non-load-bearing, low-stress car parts inside the car that remain consistently cool, it’s generally wiser to choose a more temperature-resistant material for automotive applications. Always consult technical data sheets for specific filaments to understand their temperature limitations and ensure the longevity and reliability of your 3D printed car parts inside the car.
