Has anyone tried Polymaker’s PolyMax PLA? Is it worth paying extra for? I see that Polymaker’s PLA Pro is what seems to be the gold-standard for stronger PLA, but could this be a better option? How would it hold up for lowers or cans compared to the PLA Pro? Not factoring in heat-resistance.
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I haven’t personally tested it, but on paper PolyMax PLA performance is slightly better than Polylite PLA Pro.
- Tensile Strength (MPa): PolyMax 41.3, Polylite 35.6
- Layer Adhesion (MPa): PolyMax 32.4, Polylite 39.7
- Bending Modulus (MPa): PolyMax 2400, Polylite 2700
- Impact Strength (kJ/m2): PolyMax 38.9, Polylite 13.4
- Heat Deflection: less than 60°C for both
However, if you look at cost, the PolyMax PLA is much more expensive:
- Cost (price/kg for smallest spool): PolyMax $40, Polylite $23
You won’t see much performance difference for suppressors. The added impact strength doesn’t buy you much when your limiting factor is HDT. For $4/kg less than the PolyMax you can get Sunlu PA6-CF which has vastly superior HDT. Lowers are a similar story. You don’t really need more impact strength than the Polylite gives you, so you’re paying almost double for performance you won’t use.
To my understanding Polylite Pla Pro is better due to the rigidity/stiffness. When I first started I immediately assumed Polymax or Pla Tough+ was better for lowers. Apparently it has better impact strength but less tensile strength? Or something like that.
I did the Infinti Arms Spectre Si15 in Bambu Pla Tough+ and it held up fine. Just really bendy. I got 50 rds through it no problem but then it started having light primer strikes. Think it was mechanical. Not the filament.
