PLA (Polylactic Acid) is a popular material used for Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) in 3D printing. It is a biodegradable and environmentally-friendly thermoplastic derived from renewable resources such as cornstarch or sugarcane. PLA is known for its ease of use, versatility, and wide availability, making it a commonly used material for hobbyists, educators, and prototypers.

1. Biodegradable and Environmentally-Friendly: PLA is made from renewable resources and is biodegradable, making it an eco-friendly option for 3D printing. It is considered a more environmentally-conscious alternative to traditional plastics.
2. Ease of Use: PLA is known for its ease of use in FDM printing, making it suitable for beginners and hobbyists. It has low printing temperature requirements and minimal warping, resulting in less printer setup and calibration.
3. Wide Color Availability: PLA is available in a wide range of vibrant colors, making it popular for creating visually appealing and colorful 3D printed objects.
4. Good Printability: PLA has good flow characteristics and excellent interlayer adhesion during printing, resulting in smooth and detailed prints.
5. Low Odor: PLA has low fume emissions during printing, making it a preferred choice for users who are sensitive to odors or require printing in well-ventilated areas.
6. Low Toxicity: PLA is considered to be a low-toxicity material, making it safe for use in food-related applications, such as creating custom kitchenware or food packaging prototypes.
7. Moderate Mechanical Strength: PLA has moderate tensile strength and impact resistance, making it suitable for creating prototypes, decorative objects, and low-stress functional parts.
8. Minimal Warping and Shrinking: PLA has minimal warping and shrinking compared to other materials, which reduces the risk of print failures and allows for more successful prints.
9. Limited Heat Resistance: PLA has a lower heat resistance compared to materials like ABS or PC, which limits its use in high-temperature applications or parts that may be exposed to elevated temperatures.
10. Moderate Moisture Sensitivity: PLA can absorb moisture from the environment, which may affect its print quality and mechanical properties. Proper storage in a dry environment is recommended to prevent moisture absorption.
11. Brittle Nature: PLA can be relatively brittle compared to other materials, and may not be suitable for parts that require high impact resistance or flexibility.
12. Lower Strength Compared to Some Other Materials: PLA has lower tensile strength and impact resistance compared to materials like ABS or PC, which may limit its use in high-stress applications. However, PLA can be reinforced with additives or blended with other materials to improve its mechanical properties for specific use cases.