Page 8 - Ben Sweeney

PLA

Properties How it's made?

• Bio Degradable • Lactic Acid is ran through a fermentation process
• Cheaply produced • The PLA is then formed into pellets and mixed with pigments
• Non Toxic • The dried pellets are melthed down and extruded into a monofilament

• Thermoplastic -(sciencechannel.com/howitsmade/)
-(saddlesindia.com)

“Compared to its petroleum counterpart’s, PLA plastic boasts some great eco benefits. Accord-
ing to independent reports, producing PLA uses 65 per cent less energy and generates 63 per

cent fewer greenhouse gases.” -(lawprintpack.co.uk)

1920 – PLA was first discovered -1989 – Dr. Patrick R. Gruber -2010- PLA was the second -TODAY - PLA is the most
by Wallace Carothers (who also along with his wife Sally, discov- most important bioplastic of commonly used environ-
invented nylon). He was aiming to ered the process of producing the world in regard to ment-friendly thermoplas-
produce an environmental- this material by corn on his stove consumption volume. tic at the global level.
ly-friendly plastic for DuPont at home, which reduced the
manufacturing cost.
- (plasticsinsight.com) - (plasticsinsight.com) – (bioplasticsnews.com)
– (plasticsinsight.com)

1. To begin the process I used a dark
grey primer. I followed up by
spraying the piece black in hope 2. Once dried, I mixed a generous
that the lower grooves would amount of paints together and
provide a darker shaded effect. lathered them on to the peice not
too concious of the pattern, When
the peice was nearly dried, I used
excess amount of paint and a wider
paint brush to acheive the PLA look
to it.