How To Store Pla Filament

Ever watched helplessly as a perfectly good spool of PLA filament snapped and crumbled mid-print, ruining hours of work? It's a frustrating experience familiar to many 3D printing enthusiasts. PLA, while a popular and user-friendly material, is also hygroscopic, meaning it readily absorbs moisture from the air. This absorbed moisture can dramatically impact print quality, leading to issues like stringing, bubbling, poor layer adhesion, and even nozzle clogs. Properly storing your PLA filament is therefore crucial for ensuring consistent, high-quality prints and avoiding wasted material.

Failing to address moisture absorption not only impacts print quality but also leads to wasted filament and increased costs. Buying new filament every time your existing spool becomes unusable is both expensive and environmentally unfriendly. By implementing simple yet effective storage techniques, you can significantly extend the lifespan of your PLA filament, maintain its printability, and ultimately save time, money, and reduce waste. Protecting your filament is an investment in the quality and longevity of your 3D printing endeavors.

What are the best ways to keep my PLA filament dry and ready to print?

What's the best humidity level for storing PLA filament?

The ideal humidity level for storing PLA filament is below 20%. Maintaining this low humidity prevents the filament from absorbing moisture, which can lead to printing problems like stringing, popping, and weakened layer adhesion.

To elaborate, PLA (Polylactic Acid) is a hygroscopic material, meaning it readily absorbs moisture from the air. When PLA filament absorbs moisture, the water molecules disrupt the polymer chains, making the filament brittle and prone to issues during printing. The higher the humidity, the faster PLA will absorb moisture, so keeping it in a low humidity environment is crucial for preserving its quality and printability. To effectively achieve and maintain humidity levels below 20%, it is recommended to store PLA filament in airtight containers or vacuum-sealed bags along with desiccant packs (silica gel is a common example). Desiccants absorb any residual moisture present in the container, further lowering the humidity and creating an optimal storage environment. Regularly checking and replacing or reactivating the desiccant packs is important to ensure their continued effectiveness. You can reactivate most silica gel desiccants by baking them in an oven at a low temperature (around 250°F or 120°C) for a few hours.

Does storing PLA in a vacuum-sealed bag really make a difference?

Yes, storing PLA filament in a vacuum-sealed bag significantly reduces moisture absorption, which is crucial for maintaining print quality. PLA is hygroscopic, meaning it readily absorbs moisture from the air. This absorbed moisture can lead to issues like brittle filament, stringing, popping noises during printing, and reduced layer adhesion. Vacuum-sealing effectively removes air and humidity, preserving the filament's integrity and printability.

PLA, like other filaments used in 3D printing, suffers from moisture absorption. This moisture hydrolysis, a chemical reaction that breaks down the polymer chains, making it more susceptible to degradation. The effects of moisture absorption are easily noticeable. When printing with moist PLA, you may hear hissing or popping sounds as the water boils inside the nozzle, causing inconsistent extrusion. This leads to weakened parts with poor surface finish, decreased strength, and dimensional inaccuracies. Vacuum-sealing offers a practical and effective solution. By removing the air and creating a near-airless environment, the filament is shielded from moisture. A vacuum-sealed bag, ideally with desiccant packs, helps maintain the PLA's optimal condition. Desiccants like silica gel further absorb any residual moisture within the bag. When removing filament from the vacuum-sealed bag, it's best to only open the bag as needed and reseal it immediately after use to maintain its protection against moisture. For optimal long-term storage consider these points:

How long can PLA filament last if properly stored?

PLA filament, when stored correctly, can last for a year or even two without significant degradation in print quality. The key is minimizing exposure to moisture, heat, and UV light, as these are the primary factors that cause PLA to become brittle and difficult to print with.

PLA is a hygroscopic material, meaning it readily absorbs moisture from the air. Absorbed moisture leads to hydrolysis, a chemical process that breaks down the polymer chains and makes the filament more brittle. This can result in poor layer adhesion, stringing, and nozzle clogging during printing. To combat this, store your PLA in airtight containers or resealable bags with desiccant packs to absorb any residual moisture. Consider using a vacuum sealing system for even better protection. Beyond moisture, heat and UV light can also degrade PLA. Avoid storing filament in direct sunlight or in areas with high temperatures, such as attics or garages. A cool, dark, and dry place is ideal. Consistent temperature and humidity levels are your best bet. If you live in a particularly humid climate, consider using a dehumidifier in your storage area to further reduce moisture levels. By implementing these simple storage practices, you can significantly extend the lifespan of your PLA filament and ensure consistent, high-quality prints.

Can I use silica gel packets to store my PLA?

Yes, you can and absolutely should use silica gel packets when storing your PLA filament. Silica gel is a desiccant, meaning it absorbs moisture from the air. PLA is hygroscopic, which means it absorbs moisture, and excess moisture leads to printing problems like stringing, popping, and weakened parts. Storing your PLA with silica gel helps keep it dry and ensures optimal printing performance.

PLA filament readily absorbs moisture from the atmosphere, especially in humid environments. This absorbed moisture hydrolyzes the PLA polymer chains, breaking them down and making the filament more brittle and prone to issues during printing. When wet filament is heated in the printer nozzle, the moisture turns to steam, leading to inconsistent extrusion and those frustrating printing defects. Using silica gel packets within an airtight container, such as a resealable bag or a dedicated filament storage box, creates a low-humidity environment that protects the filament from moisture damage. For best results, ensure the container you're using is as airtight as possible. A well-sealed container, combined with a sufficient amount of desiccant, will significantly extend the lifespan and print quality of your PLA. You might also consider using a filament dryer periodically, especially for older or more exposed spools, to remove any accumulated moisture before returning them to storage with fresh silica gel. Rechargeable silica gel desiccant packs can be reused by heating them to remove the absorbed moisture, saving money and reducing waste.

What's the ideal temperature for PLA filament storage?

The ideal temperature for storing PLA filament is between 15°C and 25°C (59°F and 77°F). This range minimizes moisture absorption and prevents the filament from becoming brittle or warping over time.

PLA is hygroscopic, meaning it readily absorbs moisture from the air. Excessive humidity can cause the filament to swell, leading to printing issues like stringing, popping, and poor layer adhesion. Storing PLA within the recommended temperature range helps to slow down this moisture absorption process. Lower temperatures within the range are generally preferred as they further reduce the rate of moisture uptake. Beyond temperature, it's crucial to also control humidity levels. Ideally, PLA should be stored in a dry environment, preferably with a humidity level below 50%. Using airtight containers with desiccant packs (like silica gel) is highly recommended, regardless of the ambient temperature. These desiccant packs absorb any moisture that might be present within the container, further protecting your filament and prolonging its lifespan. Proper storage will ensure consistent and high-quality 3D printing results.

Should I store different colors of PLA together?

Yes, you can generally store different colors of PLA filament together in the same airtight container, provided they are all properly dry and stored with desiccant. The main concern with PLA is moisture absorption, not cross-contamination of color.

Storing different colors of PLA together poses minimal risk as long as you maintain a dry environment. The PLA filament itself won't leach color into other filaments, even if they're touching. However, remember that PLA is hygroscopic, meaning it readily absorbs moisture from the air. This moisture can lead to printing problems like stringing, bubbling, and poor layer adhesion, regardless of the filament's color. Therefore, your primary focus should be on keeping the filaments dry. Use airtight containers or resealable bags and include plenty of desiccant (like silica gel packets) to absorb any moisture. It's advisable to periodically check the desiccant and replace or recharge it as needed. While color contamination isn't a major concern, some users prefer to keep different materials (PLA, ABS, PETG, etc.) separate. This is mainly to avoid accidentally loading the wrong filament into their printer. If you have a large collection of filaments and limited storage space, grouping PLA colors together makes sense. However, labeling each spool and container clearly is always a good practice, irrespective of whether you store colors together or separately. In conclusion, as long as you prioritize dryness, storing different PLA colors together is perfectly acceptable.

Is a dry box necessary for storing PLA, or are cheaper alternatives okay?

While a dry box provides the optimal environment for storing PLA filament, it isn't strictly necessary, and cheaper alternatives can often suffice, especially in climates with low humidity. The need for a dry box depends on the prevailing humidity levels and how critical print quality is to the user. For hobbyists in drier regions, simpler solutions may prove adequate.

PLA filament is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture from the air. Excessive moisture absorption leads to problems like brittle filament, stringing, popping noises during printing, and reduced print quality. A dry box actively maintains a low-humidity environment, typically using desiccant and sometimes even heating elements. This is ideal for long-term storage, high-humidity areas, and users who demand the best possible print results. However, the cost of a dedicated dry box can be a barrier for some. Cheaper alternatives include airtight containers, such as vacuum-sealed bags or plastic bins with tight-fitting lids, combined with desiccant packs (silica gel is common). Regularly replacing or reactivating the desiccant is crucial to maintaining a dry environment within these containers. These solutions can work very well in low to moderate humidity and for shorter storage periods. The key is ensuring the container is truly airtight and that the desiccant is effective at absorbing moisture. You might even consider a food dehydrator for reactivating silica gel. Ultimately, the best approach depends on individual circumstances. If you live in a humid climate or consistently experience printing issues related to moisture, a dry box is a worthwhile investment. Otherwise, a well-maintained airtight container with desiccant can be a cost-effective alternative for storing PLA filament.

So there you have it! Keeping your PLA filament happy and dry really isn't rocket science, and with a little bit of effort, you'll be printing successful models for ages. Thanks for reading, and we hope these tips help you avoid those frustrating printing fails. Come back soon for more 3D printing wisdom!