Filament Atlas

PLA Silk

Polylactic Acid - Silk

33 products from 15 makers. Bambu Lab does not list this material for the H2C; its published process temperatures are within the printer's limits.

Tensile modulus (XY)
1.83GPa
0.210 (log)
11 products · middle half 1.72–1.97
Tensile strength (XY)
49.8MPa
0125
20 products · middle half 40.8–50
Tensile strength (Z)
14.7MPa
060
12 products · middle half 11.1–19.1
Notched Charpy impact
10.3kJ/m²
150 (log)
3 products · 8.2–13.8
HDT at 0.45 MPa
57°C
50300
11 products · middle half 53–57
Price
31CAD/kg
0300
6 products · middle half 29–38

PLA Silk is a silk-effect PLA with a glossy, satin-like surface. Makers sell it for decorative pieces, jewelry and artistic models. It is amorphous as printed, so it softens at its glass transition: its HDT at 0.45 MPa is 57 °C, and across the layers it keeps 30 % of its flat tensile strength. On the H2C it needs no heated chamber, and makers advise drying before printing.

Partly documented Notched Charpy impact rests on 3 products. Each figure is the median of the products that publish it comparably, and beside it the middle half of them; a value on a test bar no document describes as printed, or with no stated test load, is set apart, except a heat deflection of a plastic that cannot crystallise, which its glass transition sets, unless its document points to a moulded or resin bar.

Nozzle
200⁠–⁠230 °C
most products that give one
Bed
50⁠–⁠60 °C
most products that give one
Heated chamber
none needed
19 of 33 products
Drying
50–80 °C, 2–8 h
20 of 33 products call for it; 2 more give it as optional
Nozzle type
standard
3 say a standard nozzle is enough; the rest are silent

No product's setting is beyond the H2C's limits: nozzle 350 °C, bed 120 °C, heated chamber 65 °C.

Among the materials

Against PLA-CF, PLA Silk is 42 % weaker across the layers, 70 % tougher in notched impact and 35 % less stiff. Against PETG, PLA Silk is 51 % weaker across the layers, 72 % tougher in notched impact and 21 % more expensive. Among the materials, PLA Silk has a low tensile modulus (XY), tensile strength (Z), HDT at 0.45 MPa and price: each is in the lowest quarter of the materials that publish it. The rest of its key properties sit in the middle half.

Against its alternatives, PLA Silk has the highest tensile strength and the lowest tensile strength (Z)

How does it compare with what an engineer would buy instead?

  • PLA Silk: its products' median and middle half
  • an alternative
  • lowest to highest
  • each material's median (top row)
  • set apart: test bar not described as printed, or no stated load
  • beyond the scale
All materials
PLA Silk33 products
PLA-CF19 products
PLA-GF4 products
PETG72 products
PP12 products
ABS55 products
Modulus (XY)GPa, log scale
Strength (XY)MPa
Strength (Z)MPa
Notched CharpykJ/m², log scale
HDT 0.45 MPa°C
PriceCAD/kg

Each row is a material, each column a property: the bar is the middle half of a material's products, the tick their median, the hairline their lowest to highest; the ticks above the rows are every material's median.

The figure as a table
MaterialModulus (XY) (GPa)Strength (XY) (MPa)Strength (Z) (MPa)Notched Charpy (kJ/m²)HDT 0.45 MPa (°C)Price (CAD/kg)
PLA Silk (this material)1.83 (1.72⁠–⁠1.97) · 1149.8 (40.8⁠–⁠50) · 2014.7 (11.1⁠–⁠19.1) · 1210.3 · 357 (53⁠–⁠57) · 1131 (29⁠–⁠38) · 6
PLA-CF2.8 (2.26⁠–⁠3.65) · 742.3 (39.3⁠–⁠47) · 1025.3 (24.1⁠–⁠26) · 56.08 · 255 (55⁠–⁠57) · 640 · 2
PLA-GF—46 · 1———41 · 0
PETG1.69 (1.42⁠–⁠1.95) · 2447 (40.3⁠–⁠50.6) · 3430.2 (28⁠–⁠36.5) · 166 (4.76⁠–⁠8) · 1070 (69⁠–⁠71) · 3226 (25⁠–⁠32) · 11
PP1.2⁠–⁠1.4 as published (2)19 · 1—65 as published (1)59 · 177 · 2
ABS2.2 (2.02⁠–⁠2.25) · 1334.5 (33⁠–⁠35.6) · 1827.3 (24.6⁠–⁠28.3) · 1220 (18⁠–⁠21.5) · 795 (89⁠–⁠99) · 1840 (31⁠–⁠52) · 9

Each cell is the median of the products ranked, its middle half in brackets, and how many.

How the numbers are worked out

Where PLA Silk sits among the 128 rigid materials on file

Where is it in the landscape: stiffness against strength, heat resistance against price?

  • PLA Silk: median, middle half as a cross
  • a PLA Silk product
  • an alternative
  • another material
  • beyond the scale

Tensile strength (XY) against tensile modulus (XY)

MPa, log scale

51020501002000.20.512510PLA SilkPLA-CFPETGABS

Tensile modulus (XY), GPa, log scale

HDT at 0.45 MPa against price

°C

501001502002503002050100200500PLA SilkPPABS

Price, CAD/kg, log scale

Grey points are every other rigid material's medians; the alternatives are named.

The figure as a table
MaterialTensile modulus (XY)Tensile strength (XY)PriceHDT at 0.45 MPa
PLA Silk (this material)1.83 GPa · 1149.8 MPa · 2031 CAD/kg · 657 °C · 11
PLA-CF2.8 GPa · 742.3 MPa · 1040 CAD/kg · 255 °C · 6
PLA-GF—46 MPa · 141 CAD/kg · 0—
PETG1.69 GPa · 2447 MPa · 3426 CAD/kg · 1170 °C · 32
PP1.2⁠–⁠1.4 GPa as published19 MPa · 177 CAD/kg · 259 °C · 1
ABS2.2 GPa · 1334.5 MPa · 1840 CAD/kg · 995 °C · 18

How the numbers are worked out

Mechanical properties

Printed flat (XY), PLA Silk typically reaches a tensile strength of 49.8 MPa at a modulus of 1.83 GPa, and breaks at 11 % elongation. In bending, its flexural strength is typically 76.2 MPa at a flexural modulus of 2.47 GPa.

PLA Silk's products spread most in elongation at break: the middle half runs 2.3⁠–⁠11 %

How strong, stiff and tough are its products, and which stand out?

  • a product
  • set apart: test bar not described as printed, or no stated load
  • middle half and median
  • beyond the scale
Tensile strength (XY)scale 30–70 MPa · 26 products, 20 in the median
Bambu Lab PLA Silk Dual Color3040506070
Tensile modulus (XY)scale 1–5 GPa, log · 16 products, 11 in the median
Flashforge Silk125
Tensile strength (Z)scale 10–25 MPa · 12 products, all in the median
Eryone Silk Rainbow PLABambu Lab PLA Silk+10152025
Elongation at break (XY)%, log scale · 24 products, 19 in the median
Eryone Silk PLA125102050100200500
Notched Izod impactscale 2–5 kJ/m², log · 7 products, 6 in the median
SUNLU Silk PLA+ Four-Color25

One mark per product on each property's scale (zoomed where its products sit close together, as its label says); the band is the middle half of the products the median counts, and the line the median.

Hover or select a product to find it in every figure; its name opens its card on the Products page.

The figure as a table
PropertyIn the medianMedianMiddle halfLowest in the medianHighest in the medianAs publishedAdded filler or additive
Tensile strength (XY) (MPa)2049.840.8⁠–⁠50Bambu Lab PLA Silk Dual Color, 27Eryone Hyper Speed Triple Color Silk PLA, 62.760
Tensile modulus (XY) (GPa)111.831.72⁠–⁠1.97Flashforge Silk, 1.15Polymaker Panchroma Silk PLA, 2.450
Tensile strength (Z) (MPa)1214.711.1⁠–⁠19.1Eryone Silk Rainbow PLA, 11Bambu Lab PLA Silk+, 2500
Elongation at break (XY) (%)19112.3⁠–⁠11Eryone Silk PLA, 1.73DJake ecoPLA Silk Rainbow, 4750
Notched Izod impact (kJ/m²)63.53.5SUNLU Silk PLA+ Four-Color, 3.5SUNLU PLA+ Silk 2.0, 4.2910

Every PLA Silk product that publishes these values is drawn; each value, with its document and conditions, is on the Products page.

How the numbers are worked out

ProductNotched Charpy impact
Bambu Lab PLA Silk+10.3 kJ/m²
Bambu Lab Silk Dual8.2 kJ/m²
Polymaker Panchroma Silk13.8 kJ/m²

Across the layers (Z), PLA Silk keeps 30 % of its flat strength and 96 % of its flat stiffness

What does a printed part lose across the layers (Z) against flat (XY), and is that usual?

  • a product
  • equal share: 100, 75, 50 and 25 %
  • PLA Silk's median share
  • an alternative

Tensile strength

Z keeps 30 % of XY, median of 11 products

020406080020406080100 %75 %50 %25 %

flat (XY), MPa

0 %50 %100 %

Share kept: ABS 73 % · PETG 69 % · PLA-CF 58 % · PLA Silk 30 %

Tensile modulus

Z keeps 96 % of XY, median of 8 products

00.511.522.500.511.522.5100 %75 %50 %25 %

flat (XY), GPa

0 %50 %100 %

Share kept: PLA Silk 96 % · ABS 89 % · PETG 88 % · PLA-CF 77 %

Elongation at break

Z keeps 65 % of XY, median of 9 products

12510201251020100 %75 %50 %25 %

flat (XY), %, log scale on both axes

0 %50 %100 %

Share kept: PLA Silk 65 % · PETG 59 % · PLA-CF 43 % · ABS 38 %

Each point is a product that publishes both from one sheet: below the 100 % ray it keeps less across the layers than flat. Under each plot, the median share its alternatives' products keep.

The figure as a table
ProductPropertyFlat (XY)Across (Z)Z as a share of XY
Bambu Lab PLA Silk+Tensile strength33 MPa25 MPa76 %
Bambu Lab PLA Silk Dual ColorTensile strength27 MPa18 MPa67 %
Polymaker Panchroma Silk PLATensile strength41.1 MPa23.8 MPa58 %
eSUN PLA-SilkTensile strength32.5 MPa17.4 MPa53 %
Eryone Silk PLATensile strength55.2 MPa12.1 MPa, Z (X-Z)22 %
Eryone Silk Rainbow PLATensile strength49.8 MPa11 MPa, Z (X-Z)22 %
Eryone Hyper Speed Dual Color Silk PLATensile strength62.7 MPa19.1 MPa, Z (X-Z)30 %
Anycubic PLA SilkTensile strength37 MPa12 MPa32 %
Eryone Silk PLA Tri-ColorTensile strength49.8 MPa11 MPa, Z (X-Z)22 %
Eryone Hyper Speed Triple Color Silk PLATensile strength62.7 MPa19.1 MPa, Z (X-Z)30 %
Eryone Silk PLA Dual-ColorTensile strength49.8 MPa11 MPa, Z (X-Z)22 %
Bambu Lab PLA Silk+Tensile modulus2.13 GPa1.85 GPa87 %
Bambu Lab PLA Silk Dual ColorTensile modulus1.83 GPa1.25 GPa68 %
Eryone Silk PLATensile modulus1.22 GPa1.05 GPa, Z (X-Z)87 %
Eryone Silk Rainbow PLATensile modulus1.72 GPa1.65 GPa, Z (X-Z)96 %
Eryone Hyper Speed Dual Color Silk PLATensile modulus1.93 GPa1.87 GPa, Z (X-Z)97 %
Eryone Silk PLA Tri-ColorTensile modulus1.72 GPa1.65 GPa, Z (X-Z)96 %
Eryone Hyper Speed Triple Color Silk PLATensile modulus1.93 GPa1.87 GPa, Z (X-Z)97 %
Eryone Silk PLA Dual-ColorTensile modulus1.72 GPa1.65 GPa, Z (X-Z)96 %
Bambu Lab PLA Silk+Elongation at break2.8 %1.5 %54 %
Bambu Lab PLA Silk Dual ColorElongation at break3.5 %1.7 %49 %
eSUN PLA-SilkElongation at break12 %1.84 %16 %
Eryone Silk PLAElongation at break1.7 %1.2 %71 %
Eryone Silk Rainbow PLAElongation at break1.7 %1.1 %65 %
Eryone Hyper Speed Dual Color Silk PLAElongation at break2.3 %1.9 %, Z (X-Z)83 %
Eryone Silk PLA Tri-ColorElongation at break1.7 %1.1 %65 %
Eryone Hyper Speed Triple Color Silk PLAElongation at break2.3 %1.9 %, Z (X-Z)83 %
Eryone Silk PLA Dual-ColorElongation at break1.7 %1.1 %65 %
PLA-CF (alternative)Tensile strength58 % · 5
PETG (alternative)Tensile strength69 % · 13
ABS (alternative)Tensile strength73 % · 9
PLA-CF (alternative)Tensile modulus77 % · 5
PETG (alternative)Tensile modulus88 % · 10
ABS (alternative)Tensile modulus89 % · 7
PLA-CF (alternative)Elongation at break43 % · 5
PETG (alternative)Elongation at break59 % · 13
ABS (alternative)Elongation at break38 % · 9

Tensile strength: one more product is in the median across the layers but gives no share, with no flat value of the same test from the same sheet: eSUN ePLA-Silk Rainbow (no flat value compared). Elongation at break: one more product is in the median across the layers but gives no share, with no flat value of the same test from the same sheet: eSUN ePLA-Silk Rainbow (no flat value compared).

How the numbers are worked out

Flat and across the layers, property by property

Flat and across the layers

PropertyPrinted flat (XY)Across the layers (Z)Z as a share of XY
MedianProductsMedianProducts
Tensile strength MPa49.840.8⁠–⁠502014.711.1⁠–⁠19.112
Tensile modulus GPa1.831.72⁠–⁠1.97111.651.55⁠–⁠1.868
Elongation at break %112.3⁠–⁠11191.61.13⁠–⁠1.8910
Flexural strength MPa76.266.7⁠–⁠781823.13
Flexural modulus GPa2.472.32⁠–⁠2.6171.863

The middle half of the products under each median. The share is each product's Z value as a part of its XY value, from one sheet and one state, and the median of those shares. Where it counts fewer products than the Z median, the others publish no flat value of the same test from the same sheet; the figure's table names them. How XY and Z differ.

Thermal properties

PLA Silk's HDT is typically 57 °C under 0.45 MPa and 50⁠–⁠56 °C under 1.8 MPa, with its glass transition typically at 61 °C. As published, Vicat softening is typically 56 °C and melting typically 164 °C.

Most PLA Silk products deflect at 53⁠–⁠57 °C under 0.45 MPa

Where do its products soften under load?

  • a product
  • set apart: test bar not described as printed, or no stated load
  • middle half and median
  • beyond the scale
HDT at 0.45 MPascale 50–60 °C · 22 products, 11 in the median
eSUN PLA-SilkBambu Lab PLA Silk+505254565860
Glass transition (Tg)scale 56–64 °C · 18 products, all in the median
Anycubic PLA SilkEryone Silk PLA Dual-Color5658606264
The figure as a table
PropertyIn the medianMedianMiddle halfLowest in the medianHighest in the medianAs publishedAdded filler or additive
HDT at 0.45 MPa (°C)115753⁠–⁠57eSUN PLA-Silk, 50Bambu Lab PLA Silk+, 60110
Glass transition (Tg) (°C)186157⁠–⁠61Anycubic PLA Silk, 56Eryone Silk PLA Dual-Color, 6300

Every PLA Silk product that publishes these values is drawn; each value, with its document and conditions, is on the Products page.

How the numbers are worked out

ProductHDT at 1.8 MPa
Bambu Lab PLA Silk+56 °C
Bambu Lab Silk Dual50 °C
Yousu Silk PLA65 °Cnot described as printed

Printing on the H2C

PLA Silk softens near 57 °C, below the H2C's 65 °C chamber

What does printing it on the H2C take, and how hot can a part get?

  • share of the products that accept each temperature
  • what most products accept
  • the H2C's limit, and beyond it
  • a product
  • PLA Silk: its products' median and middle half
  • as published, under each sheet's own test

Printing it on the H2C

Nozzle200⁠–⁠230 °C, accepted by most of the 33 products that give a window · the H2C reaches 350 °C
Bed50⁠–⁠60 °C, accepted by most of the 33 products that give a window · the H2C reaches 120 °C
Heated chamber25⁠–⁠40 °C, accepted by all 5 products that give a window; 19 need none · the H2C reaches 65 °C
Drying50⁠–⁠80 °C, 2⁠–⁠8 h, 20 products

In service

HDT at 1.8 MPa2 products
53 °C
Vicat softening temperature11 products, as published
54⁠–⁠66 °C
HDT at 0.45 MPa11 products
57 °C
Glass transition (Tg)18 products
61 °C
Melting temperature7 products, as published
145⁠–⁠164 °C

°C

One temperature axis for the settings a print needs and the temperatures a part meets. A setting's shade is how many of the products whose sheets give a window accept each degree; the H2C's limit closes its row.

The figure as a table
Setting or propertyMost products, or the medianProductsH2C limit
Nozzle200⁠–⁠230 °C33350 °C
Bed50⁠–⁠60 °C33120 °C
Heated chamber25⁠–⁠40 °C565 °C
Drying50⁠–⁠80 °C, 2⁠–⁠8 h20—
HDT at 1.8 MPa53 °C2—
Vicat softening temperature54⁠–⁠66 °C11—
HDT at 0.45 MPa57 °C (53⁠–⁠57 °C)11—
Glass transition (Tg)61 °C (57⁠–⁠61 °C)18—
Melting temperature145⁠–⁠164 °C7—

Windows read from the Bambu Lab Filament Guide are not shaded: the guide speaks for every product that reads it.

How the numbers are worked out

SettingMost PLA Silk products
Nozzle200⁠–⁠230 °C most products that give one
Bed50⁠–⁠60 °C most products that give one
Heated chambernone; sheets that give one say 25⁠–⁠40 °C 19 of 33 products
Drying50⁠–⁠80 °C, 2⁠–⁠8 h 20 of 33 products call for it; 2 more give it as optional
Nozzle typestandard 3 say a standard nozzle is enough; the rest are silent

Where a product's own sheet is silent, its setting comes from a sheet it shares or from the Bambu Lab Filament Guide; each product's card says which.

After printing

What makers say about printing it

Printing advice

  • We recommend keeping the printer enclosure open during printing to lower the chamber temperature. eSUN ePLA-Silk Rainbow, maker's product page or guide, p. 1

Moisture sensitivity

More from makers: nozzle wear, supports and removal, warping and shrinkage, adhesion between layers and odour and emissions

Nozzle wear

Supports and removal

  • Com pared with other materials, the support is easier to peel off from the model surface, and the contact surfac e is smooth and flat. eSUN PLA-Silk, data sheet, p. 1

Warping and shrinkage

  • Due to its low tendency to warp 3DJAKE ecoPLA Silk can also be printed without a heated bed. 3DJake ecoPLA Silk, data sheet, p. 1

Adhesion between layers

Odour and emissions

Products

33 products from 15 makers; the most from Eryone (6), SUNLU (6) and eSUN (4).

These are published values, not recommendations: the selector judges each product against your requirements.

Compare the 33 products

Uses, limitations and chemicals

What it is sold for

What makers warn about

Finish and accuracy
  • Silky-smooth surface with vibrant, glossy colors, producing models with four colors on different surfaces after printing. SUNLU Silk PLA+ Four-Color, data sheet, p. 1
  • ERYONE Silk PLA 3D Printing Lint boasts a satin-like, delicate, and lustrous metallic sheen. Eryone Silk PLA, data sheet, p. 1
  • Using a state-of-the-art manufacturing process, very low manufacturing tolerances are achieved, which leads to convincing print results with all FDM 3D printers. Fabru Polylactide Silk (PLA Silk), maker's product page or guide, p. 1
  • Thanks to it, your designs will take on a new dimension, delighting not only with the precision of printing, but also with an extraordinary color effect that will make them stand out from others. Spectrum PLA SILK Rainbow, maker's product page or guide, p. 1

Chemicals and environment

ExposureWhat makers say
FlammabilityFlammable, in both statements
Water solubilityInsoluble, in both statements
Acid resistanceNot resistant, in both statements
Alkali resistanceNot resistant, in both statements
Organic solvent resistanceLimited, in both statements
Oil and grease resistanceLimited, in both statements

Makers rarely give the concentration, temperature or duration: treat them as indications, not design data. Each product's statements are on its card.

Resin reference data (for plain PLA, where no maker of these products speaks): it absorbs moisture and is dried before melt processing. Fillers, pigments and printing change this, so it does not stand for these products.

Density and price

PLA Silk's density is typically 1,240 kg/m³, the middle half 1,230⁠–⁠1,270 kg/m³, across 29 products. PLA Silk typically costs 31 CAD/kg, the middle half 29.5⁠–⁠38 CAD/kg, across the 6 products with a regular price in the sample; the lowest is eSUN PLA-Silk at 29 CAD/kg.

Regular prices, never sale prices, from 9 Canadian shops and 10 foreign shops, sampled 10 Sep–20 Oct 2026, not live; shipping and tax are not included.

Other properties, as published

12 more properties are published, each under its own sheet's test conditions, so they are listed, not ranked.

The 12 properties, lowest to highest
PropertyProductsLowest–highest
Melt mass-flow rate184⁠–⁠20.5 g/10 min
Mould shrinkage40.1⁠–⁠0.6 %
Water absorption40.3⁠–⁠0.52 %
Decomposition temperature3364 °C
Elongation at yield25⁠–⁠5.8 %
Hardness279.6⁠–⁠82.5 Shore (scale not specified by source)
Continuous service temperature150 °C
Crystallization temperature1102 °C
Flexural elongation at break13.3 %
Impact strength, test unclear13.8 kJ/m²
Moisture content10.28 %
Tensile strain at strength13.8 %

Sources

49 documents from 15 publishers (37 data sheets, 11 makers' product pages and guides and 1 printer document), read 10 Sep–19 Oct 2026. Each value on PLA Silk's Products page names its document and page, and links to the original.

Bambu Lab, H2C Filamant Printing Guide (the H2C's printer guide): print settings for 33 products.

Every document (49), by publisher
PublisherDocumentsValuesProducts
SUNLU8716
Spectrum8123
Eryone6526
eSUN6464
Polymaker391
Fabru381
Bambu Lab2422
3DJake2102
Yousu291
FormFutura251
iSANMATE252
Anycubic1151
and 3 more publishers, with 3 documents