# What filament should a keyboard case or keycaps use?

PolyLite PLA lists a glass transition of 61 °C (142 °F), which is the temperature where that PLA softens, and heat deflection of 60 °C (140 °F) under a light load. A keyboard that stays on a desk can be PLA. Keycaps that need a smooth face instead of layer lines are a resin question. A case left in a hot car is the car-interior page, not a desk case.

A keyboard that stays on a desk can be PLA. PolyLite PLA lists a glass transition of 61 °C (142 °F), which is the temperature where that PLA softens, and heat deflection of 60 °C (140 °F) under a light load. Keycaps that need a smooth face instead of layer lines are a resin question. A case left in a hot car is the car-interior page, not a desk case.

A keyboard that stays on a desk can be PLA. PolyLite PLA lists a glass transition of 61 °C (142 °F), which is the temperature where that PLA softens, and heat deflection of 60 °C (140 °F) under a light load. Keycaps that need a smooth face instead of layer lines are a resin question. A case left in a hot car is the car-interior page, not a desk case.
## Case, keycaps, and heat

[PolyLite PLA](/brand/polymaker/polylite-pla) stores a nozzle of 190–230 °C (374–446 °F) and a bed of 25–60 °C (77–140 °F). The heat dataset checked 21 October 2026 lists glass transition at 61 °C (142 °F), and heat deflection at 60 °C (140 °F) under 0.45 MPa and 58 °C (136 °F) under 1.8 MPa, ISO 75. Heat deflection is the temperature where a test bar bends under a stated load. A desk case in this PLA is inside that description only while the plastic stays cooler than those figures. A desk lamp is not given a temperature on the sheet. A dark part under a lamp can run hotter than the air in the room. The sheet is the limit that is published.

[PolyLite PETG](/brand/polymaker/polylite-petg) lists 220–250 °C (428–482 °F), a bed of 70–90 °C (158–194 °F), glass transition 81 °C (178 °F), and heat deflection 78 °C (172 °F) at 0.45 MPa and 75 °C (167 °F) at 1.8 MPa. [PolyLite ASA](/brand/polymaker/polylite-asa) lists 230–260 °C (446–500 °F), a bed of 75–95 °C (167–203 °F), glass transition 98 °C (208 °F), and heat deflection 103 °C (217 °F) at 0.45 MPa and 100 °C (212 °F) at 1.8 MPa. Those higher figures are why someone moves off PLA when the part sees more heat. They are not a keyboard wear test.

A case or a mount that stays in a car is [car interiors](/answers/car-interior). [Heat resistance](/answers/heat) compares the materials without repeating that page.
## Finish

FDM keycaps show layer lines. If the question is resin versus filament, use [resin or FDM](/answers/resin_vs_fdm). Sanding an FDM case is [sanding](/answers/sanding). A small flexible shell that is not a keyboard is [phone cases](/answers/phone_case).
## What the community says

A comment in [a Reddit thread in r/3Dprinting](https://www.reddit.com/r/3Dprinting/comments/1lleymu/) says PLA keycaps are fine when the keyboard is not left in the sun.

A comment in [a Reddit thread in r/3Dprinting](https://www.reddit.com/r/3Dprinting/comments/1lleymu/) says PLA keycaps warp if the keyboard sits in the sun on a hot day, and says resin can avoid the layer lines.

A comment in [a Reddit thread in r/ErgoMechKeyboards](https://www.reddit.com/r/ErgoMechKeyboards/comments/1whrz2n/) says PLA cases hold up when they are not left in a hot car in the sun.

Updated 2026-10-28. Sources accessed 2026-10-28. Use case: PLA.

## Ranked filaments

| Rank | Filament | Nozzle | Bed | Price per kg |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Polymaker Polylite PLA | 190–230 °C (374–446 °F) | 25–60 °C (77–140 °F) | — |
| 2 | Polymaker Polylite PETG | 220–250 °C (428–482 °F) | 70–90 °C (158–194 °F) | — |
| 3 | Polymaker Polylite ASA | 230–260 °C (446–500 °F) | 75–95 °C (167–203 °F) | — |

## Sources

- [PolyLite PLA technical data sheet V5.4](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0548/7299/7945/files/PolyLite_PLA_TDS_EN_V5.4.pdf) (datasheet)
- [PolyLite PETG technical data sheet V5.4](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0548/7299/7945/files/PolyLite_PETG_TDS_EN_V5.4.pdf) (datasheet)
- [PolyLite ASA technical data sheet V5.4](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0548/7299/7945/files/PolyLite_ASA_TDS_EN_V5.4.pdf) (datasheet)
- [a Reddit thread in r/3Dprinting](https://www.reddit.com/r/3Dprinting/comments/1lleymu/) (reddit)
- [a Reddit thread in r/ErgoMechKeyboards](https://www.reddit.com/r/ErgoMechKeyboards/comments/1whrz2n/) (reddit)

HTML: https://filamentfacts.com/answers/keyboard