When considering materials for your Car Parts Interior, it’s crucial to choose wisely, especially if you’re using 3D printing. Polylactic Acid (PLA) is a popular 3D printing filament, but unfortunately, it’s generally unsuitable for car interior applications, particularly those exposed to sunlight or heat.
My personal experience highlights this issue perfectly. I once printed sun visor hinge pins from PLA for a car, thinking they would be adequately protected from direct sunlight. However, even without direct sun exposure and in moderate ambient temperatures (around 85°F or 29°C), the PLA pin deformed after just one day inside the car. The interior temperature, even without direct sun, can rise significantly. While I eventually reprinted the pin in PETG, even PETG showed slight deformation in extreme car heat, proving temperature resistance is paramount.
The problem with PLA lies in its low heat resistance. Technical data for PLA filaments confirms this limitation, stating it’s “not suitable for applications where the printed part is exposed to temperatures higher than 50 °C (122 °F).” Car interiors, especially dashboards and parts on the rear deck, can easily exceed this temperature on a sunny day.
For durable car parts interior components, especially those bearing any load or exposed to heat, consider materials like Nylon (Polyamide, PA), ABS, or high-temperature co-polymers like Amphora HT5300. These materials offer significantly better heat resistance.
Here’s a general guide to material temperature resistance for car parts interior applications:
- Basic Co-Polymers: Up to 70 °C (158 °F)
- ABS: Up to 85 °C (185 °F)
- Enhanced Co-Polymers & 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 acceptable for non-load-bearing, low-stress interior trim pieces that remain shaded, it’s generally best to avoid PLA for car parts interior altogether. Choosing a more temperature-resistant material from the start ensures longevity and prevents part failure due to heat-induced deformation in your vehicle. Always prioritize materials that can withstand the harsh temperature fluctuations common in car interiors.
