Fast printers are great, but fast printers loaded with the right material are even better. And while the speed itself might not single-handedly solve every single challenge, there are situations where the high-speed materials come in really handy, like when you need a large prototype delivered as quickly as possible. When everything’s tested, you can then reprint it with something more suitable.

We’re expanding our lineup of filaments with PLA High Speed – it’s available right now in five colors.

Save up to 20-40% print time

Let’s start with the information everybody will be curious about: How fast is it? The actual number depends on several factors. First, it’s about the filament’s physical properties: the maximum volumetric flow of this material on the CORE One+ is set to 28 mm3/s (Prusament PLA has 24 mm3/s, just for comparison) at 220 °C. Second, the printer’s extruder and kinematics play a significant role: the maximum volumetric flow will differ when used on other hardware. And third, the model’s shape plays a role as well. So, it’s not simple to give you one exact number. Generally speaking, Prusament PLA High Speed can save up to 20-40% on print time, depending on the model’s shape and size.

What makes it faster? It’s all about polymer melt rheology. Prusament PLA High Speed is engineered to have a higher Melt Flow Index (MFI) and exhibits excellent shear-thinning behavior. In other words, as the extruder pushes the plastic with a higher force (faster), its viscosity drops significantly, allowing for a smooth, consistent flow even at extreme volumetric speeds. Combined with rapid heat absorption in the hotend and optimized cooling characteristics for instant solidification, you can push your printer to its limits without risking clogs or installing specialized hardware.

Perfect for rapid prototypes

Prusament PLA is generally recommended for anyone who wants to make stunning-looking objects. We offer a wide range of beautiful colors and the surface quality of our PLA is truly outstanding. Contrary to popular belief, PLA is also suitable for models that may endure some stress. It isn’t as flexible as PETG, which, in some scenarios, is actually a good thing! Our signature PrusaCaster Guitar should be printed using PLA rather than PETG, as the latter will flex under the tension of the strings.

PLA’s high toughness and dimensional stability make it well-suited for printing rapid prototypes. And Prusament PLA High Speed takes this capability one step further: Its mechanical resistance is improved through better layer-to-layer adhesion, and print times are shortened, but its surface tends to be glossier. This makes it a suitable material for rapid prototyping. You can simply use it for “draft” prints that still need to maintain a professional look.

Tensile strength anisotropy coefficient

Let’s explore layer-to-layer adhesion a bit more – after all, we discuss it pretty much every time we release a new material. Inter-layer adhesion is a crucial factor in every 3D-printed component, as it strongly affects its strength. We believe that it’s important to compare the material’s tensile strength in every print direction to evaluate its physical properties properly. However, no ISO method has been developed for this particular case, so we decided to develop our own. Starting with Prusament PLA High Speed, we include the tensile-strength anisotropy coefficient in the technical sheet.

This coefficient characterizes the ratio of tensile strength in the Z axis to that in the XY axis. The higher the ratio, the greater the tensile strength in all directions. When the r (ratio) reaches the highest possible number (1), the material gets the same tensile strength in every direction.

Here’s the equation:

r = σz/σxy
σz = tensile yield strength in the Z axis (MPa)
σxy = tensile yield strength in the XY axis (MPa)

For the Prusament PLA High Speed, the r value equals 0.60, which is the second-highest tensile strength anisotropy coefficient in our materials. And just for quick comparison, PLA and PC Blend both have r = 0.33, whereas PETG has r = 0.38.

Better overhangs

Thanks to enhanced interlayer adhesion and rapid solidification, the filament delivers great overhang performance even at higher ambient temperatures. Prusament PLA High Speed works significantly better than regular PLA in this way.

Glossy homogenous surface

Prusament PLA High Speed has a satin-to-glossy, homogeneous surface finish. This may be desired in some models, such as various vases. However, the glossy finish tends to emphasize various surface imperfections and print errors. You may know this from the comparison between PLA and PETG – e.g, PETG can get rather glossy, showing imperfections, while the matte PLA’s surface finish is more forgiving. Our high-speed PLA is more similar to that glossy PETG effect – a compromise we had to make to enable higher speeds.

To sum it up: if you are looking for that signature, ultra-crisp, and beautiful, slightly matte look, we still recommend sticking with our classic PLA. After all, the High Speed variant is designed for performance and efficiency. Because these two materials have completely different visual and mechanical characteristics, Prusament PLA High Speed isn’t here to replace our current PLA lineup – it’s designed to work right alongside it.

Colors and Pricing

We are launching Prusament PLA High Speed in five of our most popular colors to ensure they fit right into your existing projects: Prusa Orange, Prusa Galaxy Black, Pristine White, Lipstick Red, Gravity Grey, with more colors coming soon. You can get 1kg for 29.90 USD / 32.90 EUR (VAT incl.).

If you’re looking to cut down your production time for functional prototypes or want to get the most out of your high-speed Prusa printer, Prusament PLA High Speed is the way to go.

Happy printing!