Silk PLA filament: the numbers
Polylactic acid with glossy additive. Typical uses: vases, ornaments, display pieces, lithophanes.
1.24 g/cm³density (1.2–1.27)
335 mper kg at 1.75 mm
2.98 gper metre
200–230 °Cnozzle
50–65 °Cbed
0.3%linear shrinkage
$22typical per kg ($16–30)
55 °Cmax service temperature
Not neededenclosure
50 °C · 6 hdrying (low hygroscopic)
2/5difficulty · low strength · rigid
Printing tips
- Print 5-10 C hotter and slightly slower than regular PLA for best sheen and layer bonding.
- Layer adhesion is weaker than standard PLA; not for load-bearing parts.
- Reduce retraction slightly; silk blends string more.
Grams ↔ metres for Silk PLA
What a Silk PLA print costs
Questions about Silk PLA
What temperature should I print Silk PLA at?
Nozzle 200–230 °C and bed 50–65 °C are the usual range. Start in the middle and tune with a temperature tower; no enclosure is needed.
How many metres of Silk PLA are in a 1 kg spool?
About 335 m at 1.75 mm (density 1.24 g/cm³). One metre weighs 2.98 g.
Does Silk PLA need drying?
Rarely for fresh spools. Silk PLA absorbs moisture slowly; dry at 50 °C for 6 hours if it has been open for months or prints with unexpected stringing.
How much does Silk PLA shrink?
About 0.3% linear. To compensate, scale X and Y by 100.30% in the slicer, or measure a test print and use the shrinkage calculator.
Sources: wiki.polymaker.com, en.wikipedia.org