Silk-additive PLA · glossy iridescent surface with rich colour depth that plain PLA can't match. Tensile 41.1 MPa XY (~21% below plain PLA); Polymaker's Panchroma TDS V2.1 lists notched Charpy 13.8 kJ/m² on FDM bars, but silk-PLA toughness is batch-variable so we spec it for the finish, not impact. Cross-checked against the Panchroma TDS V2.1.
Silk PLA 3D printing service · UK · quoted in 6 hours.
The most beautiful finish in commodity FDM · for parts where appearance is the spec.
Four quick visuals. Start with which material to pick and where silk PLA works; the engineering detail is at the end if you want it.
Fermented lactic acid polymerised into PLA · industrially compostable per EN 13432 (NOT home compost / landfill).
Polymaker's Panchroma TDS V2.1 lists notched Charpy at 13.8 kJ/m² (ISO 179, FDM-printed bars). In our experience silk-PLA toughness is batch-variable and the additive is there for the gloss · we spec PLA-Silk for the finish, not for impact. For a dependable tough PLA use PLA+ (38.9 kJ/m², the toughest PLA).
"James handled the 3D printing for a functional heat resistant component we needed in batch production. He helped dial in the prototype first with their design service, then produced the final batch with really consistent results. Super fast 3D print turnaround and great quality across all the 3D printed parts. Will 100% be coming back."
"We needed a sit-in F1-car for an exhibition to showcase our new racing game. 3D Printing Express took our CAD, optimised it for strength and weight as we had no idea how it all worked! Turned out beautifully. They colour matched the finish and was looking like the real deal. On show day the cockpit ran non-stop, adults and kids jumped in. Multiple visitors asked who built it."
"We ordered a batch of 100 PA-12 parts from 3D Printing Express and could not be happier. Every part arrived consistent, dimensionally accurate, and ready for use straight from the box. The PA-12 gave us the strength and stability we needed for functional testing, with minimal post-processing required. Delivery was on time, communication was excellent, and their QC clearly made a difference."
Silk-additive PLA · rich colour depth, catches studio light, photographs beautifully. The most beautiful finish in commodity FDM · plain PLA looks like plastic, PLA-Silk looks like silk-fabric or fine ceramic.
~21% below plain PLA's 52.3 MPa · still a capable PLA. Pick PLA-Silk for the iridescent finish; the strength is adequate, not the selling point.
Panchroma TDS V2.1 (ISO 179, FDM bars). It reads well, but real-world silk-PLA toughness is batch-variable · we spec PLA-Silk for the finish, not impact. For dependable toughness use PLA+.
PLA-Silk earns its place when the visual finish IS the spec · showpiece prints, gifting, premium-feel consumer objects, presentation pieces. The silk-additive iridescence is the wedge, not mechanical performance.
PLA-Silk's value is in the visual finish · it carries the same mechanical and thermal limits as plain PLA. The silk additive gives the surface but doesn't change the polymer's structural envelope. Pick a different filament if any of these apply.
The glossy iridescent finish catches studio light and reads as premium · the right pick when the object will be photographed, displayed, or held by the end consumer. Indoor visual elements where the surface finish carries the design intent.
Bespoke presentation items where the visual finish elevates a 3D-printed object to the look of a finished consumer product. The iridescence translates well across earth-tone, jewel-tone, and metallic palettes · finished without paint or post-process.
Glossy iridescent + fine-feature retention = the showpiece-tier finish for hobby work that gets photographed and shared. Lighter post-finishing burden than plain PLA because the silk surface is already display-quality off the printer.
Same-day cosmetic readiness with a surface finish that photographs well for event content. The silk effect reads premium under venue lighting · paired with custom-colour stock filament for bespoke palette match.
A side-by-side of the three commodity thermoplastics most makers compare when picking PLA. Pick PLA unless one of the other columns wins your specific row · we also stock PLA+ (toughened PLA) when you need impact resistance without leaving the PLA family.
PLA-Silk values from the official Polymaker Panchroma TDS V2.1 (tensile, Young's, Vicat, density, Charpy · FDM-printed ISO specimens); HDT is PLA-family typical (not in the Panchroma Silk column). Comparator values from manufacturer TDSs. Cost reflects typical UK 2026 filament pricing for stock-colour grades.
| Property | PLA-Silk (here) | Plain PLA | ABS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength XY | 41.1 MPa | ~52 MPa | ~33 MPa |
| Stiffness (Young's modulus XY) | 2403 MPa | ~2900 MPa | ~2000 MPa |
| Charpy notched impact | 13.8 kJ/m² (TDS · batch-variable) | ~3.3 kJ/m² | ~12.6 kJ/m² |
| Elongation at break XY | ~6% (PLA-family) | ~6% | ~10% |
| Heat deflection (HDT 0.45) | ~60°C (PLA-family) | ~60°C | ~100°C |
| Vicat softening | 64.7°C | ~63°C | ~100°C |
| Density | 1.24 g/cm³ | ~1.17 g/cm³ | ~1.05 g/cm³ |
| Outdoor / UV | Limited (months) | Limited (months) | Poor · use ASA grade for years-long outdoor |
| Cost per kg (filament) | £25-40 | £18-28 | £30-45 |
| Bio-source / disposal | Bio-sourced; not certified compostable | Bio-sourced, EN 13432 compostable | Petroleum, recyclable |
| Best for | Showpiece / iridescent finish · indoor display | Functional / cosmetic where finish is plain | Heat / outdoor (ASA) service |
This is 3DPE's standard process for PLA-Silk · the equipment and the dried-filament discipline are included, no surcharge. Slicer profile and orientation are tuned per part at quote stage.
File or sketch in. Tell us colour, finish, indoor / outdoor.
Reviewed inside 24 hours · per-unit cost + colour confirmation.
Wall thickness, overhang, support strategy flagged before print.
Calibrated machine · stock or custom-RAL colour matched.
Sand to spec · 2K spray paint if needed · cosmetic prep.
Tracked UK courier, tracking number sent the moment it leaves.
Lead times start when CAD is signed off and colour is confirmed · CAD round-trips on rev requests can extend the clock. Custom RAL colour matching can add 1-2 days for filament procurement.
Production-quality scale model printed in stock-colour matte PLA for a property-developer brand activation · 30+ pieces, custom RAL-matched corporate colour, cosmetic-grade surface finish out of process. Indoor display only · the part profile that PLA was designed for.
PLA is polylactic acid · a bio-sourced thermoplastic polymer derived from fermented corn starch or sugarcane. PLA-Silk is the glossy iridescent silk-finish grade · bio-sourced PLA matrix plus a silk-effect additive, so the EN 13432 industrial-compostable claim does not carry over (treat as bio-sourced but non-compostable). Tensile strength 41.1 MPa XY / 23.8 MPa Z, Young's 2403 MPa, Vicat 64.7°C, density 1.24 g/cm³ (ISO 527/306/1183 · Polymaker Panchroma TDS V2.1 · tensile ~21% below plain PLA). The same TDS lists notched Charpy 13.8 kJ/m² (ISO 179, FDM bars) · a healthy figure, but the silk-effect additive exists for the gloss and real-world silk-PLA toughness is batch-variable, so we spec PLA-Silk for the finish, not impact. HDT and Tg are not in the Panchroma Silk column · PLA-family typical applies (Tg ~60°C). For a dependable strong/tough part use PLA+ or PLA-CF.
"PLA is the material I reach for when the brief is appearance-first · scale models, exhibition pieces, props, anything indoor that the eye lives on. The dimensional precision is genuinely the best of any FDM filament we stock, the colour palette is unbeatable, and parts come off the bed crisp without much post-prep. The catch is heat. PLA is unforgiving above 60°C · if the part lives anywhere a hot car or a sunlit window can hit, it's the wrong choice. We push back on that hard before quoting."
Three questions worth answering before specifying PLA · where the polymer comes from, why it's brittle, and where the 60°C cliff really matters.
Plant captures atmospheric CO₂ → polymerised → 3D-printed part → industrial compost (EN 13432) returns CO₂ to atmosphere. The bio-source story is the carbon-loop, not the disposal route.
PLA (polylactic acid) is bio-sourced. Corn starch or sugarcane is fermented into lactic acid, which is then chain-polymerised into the polymer. That makes PLA one of the only widely-used 3D printing thermoplastics with a non-petroleum feedstock · the carbon in the polymer chain came out of the air via the plant, not out of an oil well.
Plain PLA's end-of-life pathway is industrial composting (EN 13432 facilities · ~58°C humid conditions for 90+ days). PLA-Silk adds a silk-effect additive, so the EN 13432 certification does NOT carry over · treat PLA-Silk as bio-sourced but non-compostable. No PLA grade biodegrades in garden compost, landfill, or the ocean within any reasonable timeframe · the bio-source is the environmental win, not the disposal route.
On paper, no · Polymaker's Panchroma TDS V2.1 lists notched Charpy 13.8 kJ/m² (ISO 179, measured on FDM-printed bars, not moulded ones), several times plain PLA's ~3.3. In practice we don't sell PLA-Silk on toughness: the silk-effect additive exists to create the glossy iridescent sheen, and across colours and batches the real-world impact behaviour of silk PLA is variable · the additive loading that drives the look is not specced for consistent mechanical performance. So treat 13.8 as "the manufacturer's number, achievable but not guaranteed" and specify PLA-Silk for the finish. For a part that must reliably take impact use PLA+ (the toughest PLA, 38.9 kJ/m² notched Charpy); for stiffness PLA-CF.
That brittleness is the trade for PLA's other strengths · low shrinkage, sharp printed detail, and dimensional precision come from the same crystalline behaviour. PLA+ is a toughened blend (impact-modified PLA, sometimes with elastomer or rubber-particle additives) that softens the brittleness at the cost of slightly less crisp surface and a colour palette that's narrower than plain PLA.
A PLA-family one. Vicat softening is 64.7°C (Polymaker Panchroma TDS V2.1); the Panchroma Silk column does not publish HDT or Tg, so treat the practical ceiling as PLA-family typical (Tg ~60°C, HDT ~60°C). Above the glass transition the amorphous regions become rubbery · stiffness collapses, the part softens, and residual print stress relaxes into warping. UK car interiors easily clear 70°C in summer sun · PLA-Silk is the wrong material for anything that lives there.
Values measured to the ISO standards cited in the right-hand column, on the manufacturer's own injection-moulded test specimens · directly comparable to other engineering thermoplastics.
| Property | XY · print plane | Z · build axis | Unit | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | ||||
| Tensile strength | 41.1 | 23.8 | MPa | ISO 527 · Panchroma TDS V2.1 |
| Young's modulus | 2403 | n/p | MPa | ISO 527 · Panchroma TDS V2.1 |
| Elongation at break | ~6 | n/p | % | PLA-family typical · not in Panchroma Silk column |
| Flexural strength (XY) | not published | MPa | not in Panchroma Silk column | |
| Flexural modulus (XY) | not published | MPa | not in Panchroma Silk column | |
| Charpy impact (notched, XY) | 13.8 | kJ/m² | ISO 179 · Panchroma TDS V2.1 (FDM bars) · batch-variable, spec for finish | |
| Thermal | ||||
| Heat deflection (HDT @ 0.45 MPa) | ~60 | °C | PLA-family typical · not in Panchroma Silk column | |
| Heat deflection (HDT @ 1.8 MPa) | not published | °C | not in Panchroma Silk column | |
| Glass transition temperature (Tg) | ~60 | °C | PLA-family typical · not in Panchroma Silk column | |
| Melting temperature (Tm) | 150 | °C | DSC lab figure · not the print temperature or the in-service softening limit (see HDT/Tg) | |
| Vicat softening temperature | 64.7 | °C | ISO 306 · Panchroma TDS V2.1 | |
| Decomposition temperature | 325 | °C | TGA, 20°C/min | |
| Physical | ||||
| Density | 1.24 | g/cm³ @ 23°C | ISO 1183 · Panchroma TDS V2.1 | |
| Bio-sourced content | 100 | % plant-derived | manufacturer spec | |
| Industrial compostability | Not certified | · | silk additive · EN 13432 not carried over | |
| Tensile anisotropy ratio | 1.73× | XY/Z | 41.1/23.8 · Panchroma TDS V2.1 | |
| Cosmetic / supply | ||||
| Stock colour range | Silk-finish colour range | · | workshop stock | |
| Custom RAL match | Yes (1-2 day procurement) | · | on request | |
| Finish grade | Glossy iridescent silk (this grade) | · | matte = PLA-Matte | |
Panchroma TDS V2.1 publishes tensile 41.1 MPa XY / 23.8 MPa Z · anisotropy ~1.73× XY/Z. As with any FDM part, favour XY for load paths and orient cosmetic surfaces for finish.
PLA's low elongation (6.3%) means thin walls fracture under load. The values shown follow the Hubs / Protolabs Network FDM minimums (0.8 mm supported, 2.0 mm minimum feature) · we DFM-check the wall thickness against your part's load case at quote stage.
45° is the slicer-default support threshold across every major FDM tool · PLA's fast crystallisation means it often runs steeper successfully. Exact threshold depends on cooling, geometry, and surface-finish tolerance · we DFM-check overhangs at quote stage and recommend orientation.
PLA's low shrinkage and high stiffness give it the best dimensional precision of any commodity FDM filament. Exact tolerance depends on part size, geometry, and calibration · we confirm achievable tolerance against your CAD at quote stage.
Removes 0.1-0.3 mm per surface · pre-paint prep or stand-alone hand-feel polish.
Annealing PLA causes 2-5% non-uniform shrinkage and warping · the dimensional cost almost always outweighs the small crystallinity gain. Need higher heat resistance? Switch material to PETG / ABS / ASA.
PLA takes paint cleanly. Adds 0.05-0.15 mm per surface · sand to 800 grit, primer + topcoat · for colour-matched cosmetic parts beyond the stock filament range.
PLA doesn't respond to acetone (works on ABS only) and the solvents that do work (DCM, chloroform) are workshop hazards. Pick PLA-silk or PLA-matte at print-time for layer-hidden finish · or sand + 2K paint for glass-smooth.
Every value on this page traces to an ISO test method. We don't quote derived numbers without naming the standard.
No offshore subcontracting. Files, prints, and couriers all stay in the UK.
Send three things: where the part lives (indoor / outdoor, ambient temp), what it does (cosmetic / functional / load-bearing), and colour / finish. our team come back inside 24 hours · if PETG, ABS, ASA, or another material fits better, we say so.
our team review every brief before quote. No ticket queue, no account managers.
According to the Panchroma PLA TDS, the Silk column reaches notched Charpy 13.8 ± 1.3 kJ/m² (XY) per ISO 179 · the toughest column in the Panchroma PLA family · with tensile XY 41.1 ± 0.8 MPa and Vicat 64.7 °C.
Yes. We run a closed loop in our own workshop. Failed prints, purge, and support waste are collected, reground, and reprocessed here instead of going to landfill. That is standard on every PLA-Silk job, no surcharge. PLA-Silk itself is bio-sourced from corn or sugarcane, so the feedstock and the waste stream are both accounted for.
PLA is bio-sourced. Corn starch or sugarcane is fermented into lactic acid, which is then polymerised into polylactic acid. 100% plant-derived feedstock · no petroleum carbon in the polymer chain. The end-of-life pathway is industrial composting (EN 13432) · home composting does NOT break PLA down within any reasonable timeframe.
Yes, but only in industrial composting facilities (EN 13432 conditions · 60°C+ humid for 90+ days). PLA does NOT biodegrade in your garden compost, in landfill, or in the ocean within any reasonable timeframe. For practical purposes treat PLA parts as non-biodegradable plastic in regular use · the bio-source is the environmental win, not the disposal route.
No · it is a finish grade. Polymaker's Panchroma TDS V2.1 does list a healthy notched Charpy of 13.8 kJ/m² (ISO 179, FDM-printed bars) and tensile 41.1 MPa XY, but the silk-effect additive exists for the gloss and real-world silk-PLA toughness is batch-variable, so we never sell PLA-Silk on impact. Spec it for the showpiece finish. For a dependable strong/tough part in the PLA family use PLA+ (toughest, 38.9 kJ/m²) or PLA-CF (stiffest).
Tg sits at ~60°C (PLA-family typical) · above this PLA-Silk softens rapidly. HDT is ~60°C at 0.45 MPa load. A PLA part left in a hot car (interior easily hits 70°C+ in summer) will deform. Anything that touches hot water, sees direct sunlight on a warm day, or sits near a radiator is the wrong use case. Switch to PETG (HDT 78°C) or ABS / ASA (HDT 100°C) for warm-service parts.
No, not for any sustained period. PLA yellows and embrittles in months of direct UV. Combined with its low Tg (~60°C), outdoor service is the wrong use case. ASA is the outdoor-default · UV-stabilised PC for clear / engineering outdoor parts. PLA for indoor only.
30+ stock colours · matte, silk, glossy, glow-in-the-dark, marble, wood-effect, metallic, transparent. Custom RAL match on request (1-2 day filament procurement). PLA's widest colour range is one of its biggest reasons to pick it for visual / cosmetic work · paintable too, though the as-printed colour palette covers most use cases without painting.
PETG is more ductile, not raw-tougher. PETG yields at 8.4% strain before breaking, while plain PLA snaps clean at ~6%. PETG holds more heat (HDT ~78°C vs PLA-family ~60°C) and survives mild outdoor exposure slightly better. PLA-Silk's Panchroma TDS V2.1 notched Charpy (13.8 kJ/m², FDM bars) reads well but is batch-variable, so we don't sell it on impact. Pick PETG when you need yield-before-break ductility, PLA+ for dependable impact · PLA-Silk only when the showpiece finish is the spec.
No · annealing PLA causes unpredictable shrinkage (often 2-5% non-uniform across XY and Z) and frequently leaves the part warped. The crystallinity gain is real but the dimensional cost usually isn't worth it. If you need higher heat resistance, switch material to PETG / ABS / ASA rather than annealing PLA. Different from PA12-CF, where annealing IS recommended.
PLA-Silk filament is roughly £25-40/kg for stock silk colours · plain PLA is lower-cost (~£18-28/kg). PETG sits at £25-40/kg, ABS / ASA at £30-45/kg, PA12-CF at £90-130/kg. PLA-Silk is picked for the showpiece finish, not to save cost. Per-unit pricing depends on geometry and quantity · ask in your brief and we'll quote the most cost-effective configuration.
PLA's chemical resistance is one of its weakest properties. It fails against most solvents, all strong acids and alkalis, and most fuels. Useful for water, mild detergents, and brief alcohol contact only. Match your specific exposure below before specifying.
| Chemical / family | Resistance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cold water, room temperature | Excellent | Indoor parts, washable surfaces |
| Detergents, soap (mild) | Excellent | Workshop wash-down OK for indoor parts |
| Sea water / saline (brief) | Limited | Weeks-to-months OK · saturated immersion = hydrolysis |
| Mineral oil (brief contact) | Limited | Surface ok briefly · sustained contact softens |
| Methanol, ethanol, IPA (cleaning wipe) | Limited | Cleaning OK, no soak |
| Methanol, ethanol, IPA (sustained) | Fails | PLA softens and creeps |
| Brake fluid (DOT 3 / 4 glycol) | Limited | Brief contact only |
| Weak organic acids (acetic, citric) | Limited | Slow attack · brief contact only |
| Hot water (sustained > 50°C) | Fails | Tg cliff + hydrolysis combined |
| Petrol, diesel | Fails | Sustained contact dissolves PLA |
| Engine oils sustained | Fails | Creeps and softens |
| Acetone | Fails | Surface attack · does NOT smooth PLA like ABS |
| MEK | Fails | Dissolves PLA |
| Toluene, xylene | Fails | Strong solvents |
| DCM, chloroform | Fails | Industrial PLA solvents · workshop hazards |
| Ethyl acetate | Fails | PLA solvent · used for industrial vapour smoothing (workshop hazard) |
| Strong acids (sulphuric, HCl, nitric) | Fails | Polymer chain breakdown |
| Strong alkalis (NaOH > 5%) | Fails | Saponification of ester bonds |
Ratings reflect long-term / sustained exposure. Brief contact (cleaning wipes, splashes) is more forgiving than the table suggests. For any chemical service beyond indoor cleaning, switch material to PETG, ABS, or PA12-CF depending on the exposure.
Layer lines visible like any FDM print · but PLA holds dimensional precision exceptionally well, which means consistent layer-line geometry. PLA sands smoothly through 240/400/800 grits. Takes 2K spray paint cleanly. Matte and silk PLA grades hide layer lines better than glossy. For glass-smooth without paint, PLA-silk + light hand-sanding gets close.
Plain stock-colour PLA at standard infill. For batches above 20 units, ask for batch pricing · the per-unit drops significantly because workshop time per part falls as we plan multi-part beds. Stock colours are lower-cost than custom-RAL matched. Tell us colour + qty in the brief and we'll quote the most cost-effective configuration.
You'll hear back from our team within 24 hours · with material-fit check, colour confirmation, and lead time on every quote.