3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PLA-PHA vs PP

Compare printing settings, strength, heat resistance, dated prices and sources.

PLA/PHA blend guidePolypropylene (PP) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PLA-PHA comparisonsMore PP comparisons
PLA-PHA vs PP — documented properties and sources
PropertyPLA/PHA blendPLAPolypropylene (PP)POLYOLEFIN
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$76.40/kg median; $76.40–$76.40/kg across 1 dated product listings$46.56/kg median; $31.99–$53.00/kg across 4 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryPLA blended with polyhydroxyalkanoate, a bacterially fermented bio-polyester[1]Polypropylene — a semi-crystalline polyolefin with no polar groups, so it neither absorbs water nor bonds to most bed surfaces[2][3]
Densityg/cm³1.2 (ISO 1183)[1]0.91 (Prusa PP composite, ISO 1183) — the lightest common filament[4]
Typical priceUSD/kgNot documented1 kg-equivalent spools span 27–53; the middle of the market is about 44[5][6][7][8]
Price range across brandsUSD/kgNot documented27–53 across brands; Reli3D 32 on Amazon, SUNLU 44 at 0.8 kg, Fiberlogy 49 at 750 g, IEMAI 3D 53, and the 3DJake PP listing spans 27–49[5][9][6][7][8]
Market availability1–5Niche, a handful of specialist brands[1][10]Available from several mainstream brands[9][6][5]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 750 g and 2200 g spools[1]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.75 kg spools are common[6]
Typical applicationsGeneral-purpose printing where PLA's brittleness is the limiting factor[1]Living hinges, chemical-resistant containers, automotive clips and packaging prototypes[2]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C195–220 (colorFabb)[1]210–230 (Braskem-type PE/PP window); Formfutura's Centaur PP melts at 205 ± 15 °C[2]
Bed temperature°C50–60 (colorFabb)[1]Not documented
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Open frame is fine[1]Enclosure recommended — Simplify3D lists an enclosure as a hardware requirement and Polymaker advises one below 70 °C ambient to stop warping and cracking[11][3]
Part cooling fan0–100 %; colorFabb states the blend runs on both heated and unheated beds[1][12]Part cooling fan required (Simplify3D)[11]
Bed surface & adhesion aidNot documentedPacking tape, a polypropylene sheet, or a PP-specific adhesive such as Magigoo PP — ordinary PLA and ABS adhesives do not hold it[11][3]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/s3.2–8 at colorFabb's 40–100 mm/s, on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer[12][13]Not documented
Warping tendency1–5Not documentedHigh — enclosure needed for reliable large parts; PP's crystallinity drives shrinkage and Prusa recommends a brim on its PP grades[4][14]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Not documentedVery difficult — special plates or slurry required. PP bonds to almost nothing; a polypropylene-specific tape or adhesive is the normal answer[4][3]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Not documentedSlight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[3]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Beginner — prints on any machine out of the box[1]Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning; bed adhesion is the whole problem[3][4]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely[1]Brass fine indefinitely for unfilled grades — Simplify3D states no special hotend is required[11]
Abrasiveness1–5Non-abrasive[1]Non-abrasive when unfilled[11]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Very low — unfilled PLA blend; Prusa lists no drybox and no hardened nozzle for PLA[15]Low — Simplify3D lists no special hotend requirement for PP and clogging is not among its listed drawbacks[16][11]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Not documentedSlightly sensitive[11]
Hotend requirementNot documentedNo special hot-end required (Simplify3D)[11]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Moderate — the PLA matrix takes up 0.40–0.51 % saturated; colorFabb publishes no figure for the blend[17][18]Negligible (<0.1 % EMC) — Prusa measures 0.03 % in 24 h and 0.04 % in 7 days on its PP composite, the lowest figures it publishes for any filament[4]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%Not documented0.03 after 24 h and 0.04 after 7 days at 24 °C / 22 % RH (Prusa Polymers, measured on its PP composite)[4]
Drying temperature & timeNot documentedNo drying step is published for PP; uptake is below the level that affects printing[4]
Symptoms when wetNot documentedBubbling and popping at the nozzle; Polymaker still advises a 70 °C dry for 4–6 h despite the low uptake[3]
Effect of moisture on strengthPolymaker rates PLA low-sensitivity and publishes no dry-versus-conditioned figures for this grade; absorbed water flashes to steam and shows as bubbling and poor layer adhesion[16]Not applicable in practice — with equilibrium uptake at 0.04 %, there is no moisture-driven strength loss to measure. Polymaker's sensitivity tiers put polyolefins below even PLA[4][16]
Storage requirementNot documentedNo special storage needed[4]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa62–64 (ISO 527-1A, colorFabb; two grades quoted)[1]12 at yield (Formfutura Centaur PP, ASTM D638)[2]
Young's modulusMPa2960–3070 (ISO 527-1A, colorFabb)[1]724 on extruded PP stock (ASTM D638; converted from 105,000 psi)[19]
Elongation at break%4 and 11 (ISO 527-1A, colorFabb; two grades quoted)[1]Above 600 at break (Formfutura Centaur PP, ASTM D638)[2]
Flexural strengthMPaNot documented31.0 on extruded PP stock (ASTM D790; converted from 4500 psi)[19]
Flexural modulusMPa2500–3300 flexural modulus (ISO 178, colorFabb)[1]402 flexural modulus (Formfutura Centaur PP, ASTM D790) — an order of magnitude below any rigid filament[2]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²2.8–3.7 (ISO 179, notched, colorFabb)[1]Not documented
Other impact dataNot documentedIzod notched 112 J/m on extruded PP stock, converted from 2.1 ft-lb/in (ASTM D256)[19]
Brittleness1–5Moderate — colorFabb positions the blend as tougher and less brittle than its generic PLA grades[1]Very ductile — bends far before failing[2]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / RockwellNot documentedRockwell R102 (and M95) on extruded PP stock (ASTM D785)[19]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Poor — no PLA/PHA creep test; plain printed PLA sagged from 12 to 16.2–21.8 mm over 5 days at 1.25 kg[20][21][22]Below average[2]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Below average — no S-N curve for the blend; colorFabb positions it as tougher and less brittle than its generic PLA, which ran 38 000–49 000 cycles at 30 % of tensile strength[23][1]Excellent — living hinges viable, the classic polypropylene application[2]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Semi-flexible[2]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°CNot documented74 on extruded PP stock (ASTM D648 at 66 psi; converted from 165 °F)[19]
Melting point / Vicat°CAbove 155 melting (ISO 3146-C)[1]205 ± 15 melting (Formfutura Centaur PP)[2]
Continuous service temperature°CNot documentedBounded by a melting point of 205 ± 15 °C and by the 158 °C heat deflection of the carbon-filled grade; no loaded-bar service figure is published for unfilled PP[2][4]
Flammability / UL 94Not documentedFlammable; no UL 94 rating published for the grades surveyed[4]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Degrades within weeks outdoors[24]Months outdoors before embrittlement — unstabilised polypropylene chalks under UV[3]
Chemical resistanceNot documentedExcellent against acids, alkalis and most solvents — the usual reason to choose PP[3]
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Not documentedExcellent — essentially unaffected[4]
Food contactNot documentedPolypropylene is a common food-packaging polymer, but no filament here carries a food-contact certification[3]
Biodegradability / compostabilitycolorFabb states the PHA component is 100 % biodegradable[1]Not biodegradable[3]
RecyclabilityNot documentedMechanically recyclable as resin code 5, but printed waste is not accepted in household collection[3]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission[25]Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission. Inferred: no polyolefin was among the nine filaments in the Azimi chamber study, so this is a family-level judgement rather than a measurement[25]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5None needed in a normal room[25]Open a window / occasional ventilation. Inferred — no polyolefin was measured in the chamber study[25]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningNot documentedSands poorly — the waxy surface loads abrasive paper[11]
Painting & finishingNot documentedPaint and adhesives do not key to untreated PP; flame or plasma treatment is normally needed first[3]
Gluing & solvent weldingNot documentedNothing common bonds untreated PP; flame or plasma treatment is needed before adhesives key[3]
Vapour / chemical smoothingNot documentedNo practical vapour smoothing[11]
Support material pairingNot documentedPrints its own supports; no soluble support is rated for PP[11]
Dimensional accuracy & detailNot documentedShrinkage and warping dominate; the low modulus means parts flex rather than hold tolerance[4]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inChloroform dissolves the PLA phase (10 % w/v, 2–4 h at 23 °C); THF and DMF need 65 °C. Laboratory reagents.[26]None at room temperature; chloroform dissolves it at 60 °C and xylene at about 118 °C — the xylene-solubles route.[27][28]
Softened or crazed byAcetone, ethyl acetate and toluene plasticise it but dissolve <1 % even at 65 °C; submersion in acetone crazes and destroys parts.[26][29]Xylene, decalin, CCl4 and chlorobenzene are heavily absorbed at 20 °C; oleum, chlorosulphonic acid and bromine destroy it.[27]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentChloroform vapour smooths and welds PLA at the cost of tensile strength; acetone does not smooth it at all.[30][29]None — nothing softens PP at room temperature, so joints have to be welded thermally rather than chemically.[27]

Material entries describe families or representative grades, not an interchangeable specification for every spool. Test methods, orientations and conditions may differ. Unknown values are marked “Not documented”. Prices and source dates remain historical snapshots; check the linked guide for product details. Differences highlight text, not a universal winner.

Sources for this comparison

  1. PLA/PHA technical data sheet colorFabb · 2026-08 · tds
  2. Centaur PP Technical Data Sheet Formfutura · 2026-08 · tds
  3. PP — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  4. Prusament PP Carbon Fiber Technical Datasheet v1.0 Prusa Polymers · 2024-11 · tds
  5. SUNLU product catalogue SUNLU · 2026-08 · vendor
  6. Fiberlogy PP Natural — product page 3DJake International · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. Reli3D Low Warp PP Filament 1.75 mm 1 kg Black — Amazon listing Amazon.com · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. IEMAI 3D PP 3D Printing Filament — store page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. PP filament listing 3DJake International · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. woodFill technical data sheet colorFabb · 2026-08 · tds
  11. Polypropylene — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  12. glowFill technical data sheet colorFabb · 2026-08 · tds
  13. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  14. Prusament PP Glass Fiber Technical Datasheet v1.0 Prusa Polymers · 2024-11 · tds
  15. Filament Material Guide Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  16. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  17. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — PLA Basic Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  18. PolyLite PLA Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  19. TECAFINE PP natural — stock shape properties Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  20. BambuLab PLA Basic vs PLA Tough vs PLA-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  21. Polymaker PLA Pro vs PLA-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  22. Carbon Fiber PLA vs META-PLA vs PLA+ vs PLA by Sunlu — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  23. Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Polymeric Materials — PLA and PETG — For Biomechanical Applications Polymers 16(13):1868 · 2024-06 · paper
  24. PLA — material guide Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  25. Emissions of Ultrafine Particles and Volatile Organic Compounds from Commercially Available Desktop Three-Dimensional Printers with Multiple Filaments (Azimi et al.) Environmental Science & Technology 50(3) 1260-1268 · 2016-01 · paper
  26. Solubility Study of Ingeo Biopolymer Grades in Common Organic Solvents (NWPD003) NatureWorks · 2019-10 · tds
  27. Pro-fax and Moplen polypropylene — Chemical Resistance Guide (20, 60 and 100 °C) LyondellBasell · 2026-08 · tds
  28. US 5,278,282 Polymer recycling by selective dissolution — xylene dissolution temperatures Nauman & Lynch, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute · 1994-01 · paper
  29. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  30. Effect of vapour smoothing in trichloromethane on 3D printed PLA — surface, mechanical and chemical structure Pitale, Keche & Chopra, Engineering Research Express 6(4) 045579 · 2024-12 · paper