CAI LAB Wiki
PLA Chameleon TDS
This PLA Chameleon series features a special color-shifting formulation that creates visible color changes on printed parts under different lighting conditions and viewing angles. The visual effect varies with model surface curvature, layer line directions, and lighting, making it ideal for dragons, sculptures, armor, vases, artistic ornaments, and other models where dynamic color effects are a key feature.
Basic information
| Property |
Data |
| Material name |
PLA Chameleon |
| Density |
1.24g/cm³ |
| Moisture content |
0.45% |
| Test standards |
ISO 527, ISO 178, ISO 180, ISO 75, GB/T 3682, GB/T 37643 |
Tensile · ISO 527
| Property |
Direction |
Data |
Unit |
| Tensile Strength |
Y |
64.120 |
MPa |
| Tensile Strength |
X |
57.777 |
MPa |
| Tensile Strength |
Z |
39.477 |
MPa |
| Breaking Elongation Rate |
Y |
7.515 |
% |
| Breaking Elongation Rate |
X |
7.087 |
% |
| Breaking Elongation Rate |
Z |
5.952 |
% |
Bending · ISO 178
| Property |
Direction |
Data |
Unit |
| Bending Strength |
Y |
114.295 |
MPa |
| Bending Strength |
X |
91.941 |
MPa |
| Bending Strength |
Z |
59.977 |
MPa |
| Bending Modulus |
Y |
4060.973 |
MPa |
| Bending Modulus |
X |
4108.129 |
MPa |
| Bending Modulus |
Z |
3512.286 |
MPa |
Impact · ISO 180
| Property |
Direction |
Data |
Unit |
| Impact Strength |
Y |
4.808 |
kJ/m² |
| Impact Strength |
X |
4.895 |
kJ/m² |
| Impact Strength |
Z |
3.511 |
kJ/m² |
Thermal properties
| Property |
Direction / condition |
Data |
Unit |
| Heat Deflection Temperature |
X Axis |
56.2 |
℃ |
| Melt Index |
190℃ / 2.16kg |
7.59 |
g/10min |
Recommended printing parameters
These settings are reference values for a Bambu Lab P1S; adjust for the printer, model and requirements.
| Setting |
Data |
| Nozzle Temperature / Speed |
Temperature℃ Speed mm/s 190–230℃ / Best 220℃ ＜300mm/s |
| Maximum Volumetric Flow |
16.2mm³/s |
| Nozzle Diameter |
0.2/0.4/0.6/0.8mm |
| 3D Printer Bed Texture |
PEI Plate / Smooth PEI Plate |
| Bed Temperature |
35-45℃ |
| Cooling Fan |
50-100% |
| Retraction Distance |
0.6-1.0mm |
| Retraction Speed |
20-40mm/s |
| Ambient Temperature |
25-45℃ |
| Printing & Storage Conditions |
＜20% RH (Avoid direct sunlight, tightly sealed with desiccant) |
Key characteristics
Color Shift by Angle change Printed parts exhibit visible color changes under different lighting conditions and viewing angles. Ideal for Curved & Textured Surfaces Models with rich surface contours, such as dragons, sculptures, armor, vases are best suited to showcase the dynamic color-shifting effect. Easy Printability Compatible with almost all FDM printers and AMS, suitable for everyday creative projects and batch production. Visual Effect Factors The final color appearance is influenced by multiple variables, including model orientation, surface curvature, layer line direction, light source position, and viewing angle. Printing Suggestion We recommend using larger continuous surfaces, as very small or overly flat models may not fully demonstrate the color transition effect. Application Orientation PLA Chameleon is designed for “users who want their models to deliver richer, more vibrant color effects that shift and change as the viewing angle moves”.
Specimen printing conditions
| Setting |
Data |
| Nozzle Temperature |
220℃ |
| Bed Temperature |
55℃ |
| Wall Layers |
2 layers |
| Top and Bottom Layers |
Top 5 layers / Bottom 3 layers |
| Infill |
100% |
| Ambient Temperature |
23-25℃ |
| Cooling Fan |
100% |
| Printing Speed |
45mm/s |
| Nozzle Diameter |
0.4mm |
All specimens were printed on a Bambu Lab P1S. Because basic PLA Chameleon has high toughness but low strength, annealing offers little improvement to the overall performance of printed parts. Additionally, parts with complex or non-simple geometries are prone to significant deformation. Thus, annealing is not advised.
Disclaimer
All typical values stated in this technical data sheet are derived from tests conducted on standard CaiLab specimens and are provided for reference and comparative purposes only. They are not intended to serve as design specifications or quality assurance criteria. Actual performance of 3D printed parts may differ considerably due to factors such as printer types, printing parameters, model geometries, and parameter settings. The fitness of any final printed part depends not only on the filament, but also on factors like part design, operating conditions and printing process. Product specifications are subject to change and may not be separately notified in advance. In the process of using CaiLab 3D Printing Filaments, users are responsible for evaluating the safety, legality, technical performance for their intended applications, as well as waste disposal/recycling methods. CaiLab is not responsible for the use of materials and scenarios, nor for any damage that occurs in the process of using our 3D printing filaments.
