PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoates) is a truly biodegradable plastic (ASTM D6691Marine Biodegradable). Some bacteria naturally make it. The stuff I have is very bendy/rubbery so its not really a PLA alternative plastic though if you need something stiff/hard.
Another plus is that it doesn’t need a heated bed so it uses less electricity to print with.
That sounds really cool/ interesting! Keeping the bendy-ness/ rubbery-ness in mind, would you say that it could be a TPU/ PETG (certain types) alternative?
I personally have never printed TPU but from my understanding it is similar. I will say it is possible to probably get the structure of a PHA print rigid as long as a part doesn’t have super thin walls.
I haven’t made a significant amount of prints with PHA but from what I’ve seen a side that is walls/perimeters only is still very bendy while walls with some infill actually locks up into a more rigid structure better. Also, it isn’t brittle and is quite a bit tougher, and is much more temp stable (I usually see claims it softens around 110C)
Edit: apparently my stuff is specifically flex PHA. PHA properties depend on a variety of factors such as the bacteria’s diet. So other PHAs may be stiffer.
PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoates) is a truly biodegradable plastic (ASTM D6691Marine Biodegradable). Some bacteria naturally make it. The stuff I have is very bendy/rubbery so its not really a PLA alternative plastic though if you need something stiff/hard.
Another plus is that it doesn’t need a heated bed so it uses less electricity to print with.
That sounds really cool/ interesting! Keeping the bendy-ness/ rubbery-ness in mind, would you say that it could be a TPU/ PETG (certain types) alternative?
I personally have never printed TPU but from my understanding it is similar. I will say it is possible to probably get the structure of a PHA print rigid as long as a part doesn’t have super thin walls.
I haven’t made a significant amount of prints with PHA but from what I’ve seen a side that is walls/perimeters only is still very bendy while walls with some infill actually locks up into a more rigid structure better. Also, it isn’t brittle and is quite a bit tougher, and is much more temp stable (I usually see claims it softens around 110C)
There is a PHA specific subreddit (I know, I know).
Edit: apparently my stuff is specifically flex PHA. PHA properties depend on a variety of factors such as the bacteria’s diet. So other PHAs may be stiffer.