This is a 200gram reel of 1.75mm PLA (Polylactic Acid) plastic filament for 3D printing. PLA is biodegradable and required lower printing temperature compared to the ABS plastic made it commonly used in prototyping, educational and architectural models.
Check out this video from Thomas Sanladerer about PLA filament:
This item comes with a box and vacuum sealed so that it can last longer even though being kept for a long time.
![](https://www.cytron.io/image/catalog/products/HD-PLA175-02-W/HD-PLA175-02-W (4).jpg )
Did you know that filament can absorb water vapor? It can affect the printing quality if the filament stored in a humid place. Humid conditions and UV light speed up the breakdown of the filament which weakens it and causes inconsistent or poor quality prints. For example, when water is absorbed by the filament and it is heated by the 3D printer for extrusion, the water combined with heat makes steam (you will hear a hissing sound as steam is created). This causes the filament to bubble as it comes out of the hot end and leaves you with an inconsistent surface on your print.
![](https://www.cytron.io/image/catalog/products/HD-PLA175-02-W/HD-PLA175-02-W (5).jpg )
To counter this problem, the filament was vacuum sealed and a Silica gel is placed inside it so that it can absorb the remaining water vapor. The main purpose is so that the filament will always in a dry state.
Small tips from us, after opening the seal, make sure the filaments were stored in a confined dry place along with Silica gel (if you have many filaments).
Note: PLA filament will absorb moisture/humidity, so it should be kept in an airtight container and cold condition after it is opened. And please includes the silica gel to absorb moisture/humidity in the container. If it is not kept in dry and proper conditions, it will cause a lot of problems, before and during printing. Besides keeping in the proper conditions, we recommend using the filament within 6 months after you open the seal. Do check the article on 3D printer filaments storage by 3DPrintingForBeginner
Check out how can you take care of your filament by Thomas Sanladerer: