Silk PLA is becoming widely popular due to its use cases of providing a glossier, shinier, and a premium finish. In the end, everyone from 3D printing enthusiasts to professionals can make use of the silky finish. Most people use it to create items that are often used indoors, and printing with Silk PLA can be tricky, but at the same time, if you follow all the instructions, you will easily print the most premium-looking 3D print.
But since filaments can be complex and a headache sometimes, a lot of people wonder whether it’s more prone to clogging than the regular PLA or not. In this 3D printing guide, we’re covering the uniqueness of Silk PLA, why clogging happens, and what you can do to prevent it altogether.
Silk PLA’s Unique Properties
Silk PLA is a variant of the standard PLA that incorporates your regular PLA with unique additives. These additives are the main reasons why Silk PLA looks so glossy, giving it a beautiful and unique look.
The unique look comes from additives like polymer modifiers, colorants, and many other things. However, it mainly depends on the manufacturer itself, as the goal is similar, which is to provide the signature glossy finish that a lot of people yearn for.
The result? A beautifully finished with a stunning sheen that not only looks better than the standard PLA but is also going to hide the layer lines in a much more interesting way. Now that you know the unique properties of Silk PLA, it’s time to understand whether it is more prone to clogging, or is that a myth?
Is Silk PLA More Prone to Clogging? Answered
Silk PLA is indeed more prone to clogging than regular PLA, especially when you’re using an older 3D printer that isn’t really the best at printing these modern-day filaments. However, there are many reasons why that happens, so let’s uncover them one by one.
- Additives are the main culprits:
As previously discussed, the gloss that Silk PLA has comes from additives that modify the properties of the regular PLA, giving it more of a silky look. However, this also modifies the flow and the behavior of the filament when it is being heated or, basically, during the extrusion process.
What happens here is that the heating process can increase the filament’s viscosity, leave useless gunk inside the hotend, and even have issues where melting is uneven, making the overall results look bad.
Moreover, this also causes the nozzle to be clogged over time, making Silk PLA print not the best. That’s why you need to have a good and high-quality 3D printer with a credible brand for Silk PLA, like Chitu Systems.
- Poor filament quality:
Since Silk PLA is a modified form of PLA, the quality of the products is different for various brands. You should always keep in mind that Silk PLA is just a tad bit more expensive than the regular PLA. So, if you’re getting a way cheaper price, you should always think twice before buying it.
Sure, some brands have some deals, but going with a credible brand like Chitu Systems will enable you to get the best PLA money can buy. They have their Conjure Silk PLA with a variety of options. From dual color to triple color, to even single colored Silk PLA, everything is available at their store at a cost-effective price.
However, if you go with a low-quality filament, it can contain larger pigment particles that can cause clogging in the long run. Moreover, if the filament has an extra moisture content, it can also cause clogging issues.
- The issue with lower heat resistance:
Silk PLA is also more temperature-sensitive than regular PLA. In this scenario, let’s say that the nozzle is too hot. If it is too hot, it can scratch away the additives, giving birth to burnt gunk that ultimately clogs the nozzle. Moreover, if the filament is not melted properly and is cold, it can also cause jams.
In both cases, the filament can have some residue left inside, causing jams and ultimately halting your progress. That is why temperature control is very important, along with having a good quality filament.
How To Know If Your Nozzle Is Clogged?
When you’re printing with Silk PLA, you should consider a plethora of things. First, when under extrusion, you should look for thin spots or missing layers. On the other hand, if you’re having clicking sounds from the nozzle and extruder side, then that means your nozzle is clogged as well.
However, the biggest sign of a clogged nozzle is if there is a complete stoppage of the filament flow. If you detect these signs early on, make sure to never ignore them, and catch them early on, so your 3D printing experience won’t suffer.
Preventing Clogging with Silk PLA
Printing successfully with Silk PLA requires some extra care. If you want to prevent clogging with Silk PLA, here are some things you should follow:
- Use a hardened steel nozzle or a polished nozzle for improved overall filament flow. Moreover, the hardened steel nozzle will give you long-term reliability without failing or causing any issues.
- The temperature for Silk PLA should be a bit higher compared to regular PLA. It usually points to the best between 210–230°C. However, you should always check the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Silk PLA must be printed slowly, and that flow must be maintained consistently. Avoid speeds that are over 60 mm/s in most cases.
When it comes to slower speeds, your filament will get more time to melt and reduce the pressure that is built up in the hotend. This way, you will get a nicer overall result.
Our last tip would be to keep your filaments dry. This can cause lots of extrusion issues, which are one of the primary causes of filament clogging.
Final Verdict
Printing with Silk PLA can be tricky and yes, it does have the clogging issue but only if you’re following the process right. Try to always be a bit more careful with Silk PLA as it is a filament that requires extra care.
Lastly, if you’re looking for high-quality 3D printer accessories, visit Chitu Systems today.
