PLA vs ABS:Navigating The Safety

In FDM printers, ABS and PLA are the most widely used thermoplastic materials.

10:14 12 March 2024

In FDM printers, ABS and PLA are the most widely used thermoplastic materials. 

As the application of these two materials becomes increasingly widespread in daily life, their safety has emerged as a significant concern. 

Therefore, in this article, we will conduct a systematic and comprehensive evaluation of the safety of these two materials.

Material Overview of PLA and ABS

Firstly, it's essential to understand the basic components of PLA and ABS. 

Polylactic Acid (PLA) is a biopolymer, meaning it's a biodegradable plastic. 

It's made from renewable resources, such as corn starch or sugarcane. 

Beyond 3D printing, it's commonly used in packaging materials, plastic wraps, plastic cups, and plastic bottles. 

Theoretically, it's more environmentally friendly than ABS—after all, it's made from plants.

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) is a petroleum-based plastic. 

It's a tough, durable material used in large plastic items in everyday life, such as automobiles, electrical equipment, and even the popular LEGO bricks.

Are PLA And ABS Safe For Food？

Plastics have become indispensable for food packaging, storage containers, utensils, and various other food-related applications. 

However, concerns over the widespread use of PLA and ABS in food contact applications have become more pronounced. 

"Is pla safe for food?" emerges as a key question among these concerns. 

PLA, a biobased and biodegradable plastic derived from renewable resources like corn starch or sugarcane, is generally considered suitable for food contact purposes. 

ABS, on the other hand, as a petroleum-based plastic, requires more cautious consideration regarding its food safety due to its chemical composition, especially the presence of styrene. 

Regardless of whether it's PLA or ABS, both materials must comply with strict regulatory standards set by bodies such as the U.S. FDA or the EFSA, including undergoing chemical migration tests, to ensure their safety in food contact applications.

The Safety Of PLA And ABS On Medical Devices

The biomedical field is one of the earliest application areas for Polylactic Acid . 

PLA exhibits excellent biocompatibility, is highly safe for the human body, and can be absorbed by tissues, making it suitable for the manufacture of items such as disposable infusion tools, non-removable surgical sutures, drug delivery carriers, artificial materials for bone fracture internal fixation, tissue repair materials, and artificial skin. 

Its main advantage lies in its biodegradability, meaning it can gradually decompose within the body without the need for surgical removal, offering significant benefits to patients. 

In Western countries, it has been used as a novel material to replace stainless steel for orthopedic internal fixation devices like bone screws and plates, extensively utilized due to its property of being absorbable and metabolizable by the human body, sparing patients the pain of a second surgery.

ABS is renowned for its excellent mechanical properties, impact resistance, and ease of processing, making ABS injection molding parts widely used in the manufacture of medical devices, such as casings, handles, and other parts that do not directly contact the patient's internal tissues. 

Additionally, the non-biodegradability of ABS is an advantage in certain applications, as it offers structural stability and long-term durability. 

However, as ABS is a petroleum-based plastic, its use in direct internal applications is limited, mainly due to potential toxicity and biocompatibility issues.

How PLA Demonstrates Safety In Agriculture?

In the agricultural sector, the safety of PLA (Polylactic Acid) is primarily manifested in the following aspects:

1. Biodegradability: PLA's ability to decompose under industrial composting conditions helps minimize long-term soil and water pollution, making it a sustainable option for agricultural films and plant containers.
2. Reduced Chemical Use: As a natural, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional plastics, PLA lowers the risk of chemical pollution in agricultural production, benefiting crop safety.
3. Enhanced Efficiency: Biodegradable PLA products, such as plant containers, simplify the planting process by eliminating the need for removal, thus reducing waste and improving sustainability in agriculture.
4. Food Safety: PLA's biocompatibility makes it safe for food packaging, reducing the risk of contamination with harmful substances and ensuring consumer safety.
5. Sustainable Agriculture Promotion: PLA supports sustainable agricultural practices by reducing ecosystem pressure through its minimal lifecycle environmental impact.

ABS Safety In Children's Toys

When evaluating the safety of materials used in children's toys, common plastics often come into discussion: ABS . 

"Is ABS safe?" is a question that often concerns parents and regulators. ABS is a petroleum-based plastic known for its strength, durability, and ease of processing. 

It has been widely used in various applications, including children's toys such as building blocks and toy cars. 

While ABS possesses excellent physical properties making it suitable for durable toys, its safety comes down to the chemical composition and manufacturing process. 

ABS toys should be manufactured to meet strict safety standards that limit the presence of harmful substances. 

The main concerns with ABS involve potential chemical leaching and the emission of styrene during manufacturing, which is why toys made from ABS must be rigorously tested to ensure they meet safety guidelines for children's products.

Environmental Impact Of PLA And ABS

PLA is derived from renewable resources like corn starch or sugarcane, making it a more sustainable option compared to fossil fuel-based plastics. Its key environmental benefits include:

• Biodegradability: PLA is biodegradable under industrial composting conditions, which means it can break down into water and carbon dioxide within a few months under the right conditions, significantly reducing its environmental footprint.
• Reduced Carbon Footprint: The production of PLA typically results in lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional plastics, as the plants used to make PLA absorb carbon dioxide during their growth.
• Use of Renewable Resources: PLA is made from renewable resources, which can help reduce dependency on finite fossil fuels and contribute to a more sustainable material cycle.

However, the environmental benefits of PLA are somewhat limited by its industrial composting requirements for degradation, which are not universally available, and the potential for monoculture crop production to meet its raw material needs.

ABS is a petroleum-based plastic known for its strength, durability, and versatility. Its environmental impacts are more concerning due to:

• Non-Biodegradability: ABS does not biodegrade, meaning it can persist in the environment for hundreds of years, contributing to landfill and ocean pollution.
• Carbon Footprint: The production of ABS is energy-intensive and relies on fossil fuels, leading to higher carbon dioxide emissions and a larger carbon footprint compared to bio-based plastics like PLA.
• Recycling Challenges: Although ABS can be recycled, the rates of recycling for ABS are relatively low due to sorting and processing challenges, further exacerbating its environmental impact.

While PLA offers a more environmentally friendly alternative due to its biodegradability and use of renewable resources, its benefits are contingent on proper industrial composting facilities and sustainable agricultural practices. ABS, with its reliance on petroleum, non-biodegradability, and recycling challenges, presents greater environmental challenges. 

Conclusion

In summary, while PLA offers distinct advantages in terms of biocompatibility and environmental safety, its application is limited by practical considerations such as industrial composting availability and material performance. 

ABS, with its strong mechanical properties, remains a valuable material for non-food-contact applications, though its environmental and health impacts necessitate careful management.