Why PLA fails outdoors in Malta, and what to use instead
PLA softens from around 60°C and degrades under UV. A parked car in Malta reaches that easily. Here is what actually survives a summer here.
Matthew
MATERIALS
Materials chosen for the use case.
Strength, heat, UV exposure and flex all change the right answer. We pick the filament to suit the job rather than defaulting to one.
THE FIVE WE USE MOST
We'll match the material to your part.
PLA
Prototypes, gifts, and display pieces.
Easy to print and dimensionally accurate, with the cleanest surface finish of the five. Softens from around 60°C and degrades under UV, so it belongs indoors. Best for visual prototypes, display pieces and gifts.
PETG
Stronger everyday parts and storage.
Tougher and more temperature-tolerant than PLA at around 80°C, with good moisture resistance and an easily wiped surface. Our default for functional parts, storage and splash-zone use.
ASA
Outdoor and UV-exposed parts.
The outdoor material. UV-stable, colour-fast and heat-tolerant to around 100°C, so it holds up to Malta’s combination of strong sun and coastal air without yellowing or becoming brittle. The right choice for anything that lives permanently outdoors.
ABS
Tougher, heat-resistant components.
Impact-resistant and heat-tolerant to around 100°C. Suited to mechanical components and enclosures that see real stress. Less UV-stable than ASA, so prefer ASA for anything outdoors.
TPU
Flexible parts and toys.
A flexible rubber-like filament, typically around Shore 95A, that stretches rather than snaps. Used for grips, gaskets, protective parts and flex toys.
| Property | PLA | PETG | ASA | ABS | TPU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Softens from (glass transition) | ~60°C | ~80°C | ~100°C | ~105°C | ~80°C |
| Tensile strength | ~50 MPa | ~50 MPa | ~44 MPa | ~40 MPa | ~30 MPa |
| Impact resistance | Low | Good | High | High | Very high |
| UV stability (outdoor) | Poor | Fair | Excellent | Fair | Good |
| Moisture resistance | Fair | Very good | Very good | Good | Good |
| Surface finish | Excellent | Very good | Very good | Good | Fair |
| Flexibility | Rigid | Rigid | Rigid | Rigid | ~Shore 95A |
| Use it for | Display, gifts, indoor prototypes | Functional parts, storage, splash zones | Outdoor, permanent sun exposure | Mechanical parts, enclosures | Grips, gaskets, flex toys |
| Don't use it for | Anything outdoors or hot | Permanent UV exposure | Cost-sensitive indoor parts | Outdoor UV exposure | Rigid structural parts |
About these figures
These are typical published values for standard filament grades, compiled from manufacturer technical datasheets. Real printed performance varies — sometimes substantially — with the specific grade and supplier, print orientation relative to the load, layer height, wall count, infill and nozzle temperature. A part printed flat and the same part printed upright can differ by a wide margin in strength along the load axis. Treat the table as a guide to material selection rather than as design values. If your part has a load, temperature or safety requirement to meet, tell us and we will work from the datasheet for the exact grade we intend to run.
Last reviewed .
QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
Which 3D printing material should I choose?
- 3DOME Malta selects the filament based on where the part will live and what it has to survive. PLA suits display pieces, gifts and indoor prototypes. PETG is the default for functional parts, storage and splash-zone use. ASA is the outdoor material — UV-stable and colour-fast. ABS handles heat and mechanical stress indoors. TPU is used where the part needs to flex. Describe the environment and the load and we will recommend the material and explain the trade-off.
What is the difference between PLA and PETG?
- PLA is easier to print and gives a cleaner surface finish, but it softens from around 60°C and degrades under UV, so it belongs indoors. PETG stays stable to around 80°C, resists moisture well and is significantly tougher. For most functional parts 3DOME Malta uses PETG; for display and gift items, PLA.
What is ASA, and when should I use it instead of PETG?
- ASA is a UV-stable engineering filament, stable to around 100°C, developed specifically for outdoor use. Unlike PETG it does not yellow or become brittle under sustained sunlight, which matters in Malta where strong UV and coastal air act together. 3DOME Malta uses ASA for anything permanently exposed — outdoor mounts, signage, garden and terrace pieces — and PETG for sheltered or splash-zone parts where the cost saving is worth it.
Are 3D printed parts strong enough for real use?
- Yes, when the material and print orientation are chosen for the load. 3DOME Malta produces functional end-use parts including brackets, housings, mounts and replacement components. Printed parts are anisotropic — stronger across layers than between them — so we orient prints and set wall thickness for the direction of force the part will actually see.
Can 3D printed parts be used outdoors in Malta?
- Yes, in the right material. Malta combines strong UV with coastal air, which degrades PLA quickly and affects PETG over a season or two of direct exposure. For permanently outdoor applications 3DOME Malta prints in ASA, which is UV-stable and colour-fast, and will give you an expected service life before printing rather than after.
FROM THE BLOG
Material guides
How strong is a 3D printed part, really?
Strong enough for most jobs, and it depends far more on which way it was printed than on which plastic it came from. Here is what actually decides.
Matthew
Is 3D printed plastic food safe?
The honest answer is that the plastic is usually the least of the problem. Here is what we will and will not print for anything that touches food.
Matthew
Not sure which material you need?
Tell us where the part will live and what it has to survive. We will recommend the filament and explain why.