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Silver colored PLA

Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2014 11:36 pm
by mechg
I tried some Solutech Silver PLA and I really like it so far. It needs a head temp of 225, maybe because of the additives.

Does anyone know how they color this stuff? I am assuming aluminum powder. I wrote to them to ask this but they have not responded yet.

The photo shows a 2.75" rocket plane model printed vertically and a rectangular box with hilbert-curve first layer sliced in Slic3r.

Viewing the .2mm layers edge-on, like with the surface of the rocket plane, the PLA appears more dark grey.

The hilbert-curve bottom layer of the enclosure is nice and silvery, kind of like a mother-of-pearl inlay appearance.

And it sticks to the glass bed of my Orion without glue ! Woo Hoo !

Re: Silver colored PLA

Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2014 12:07 am
by Earthbound
Interesting. I have a roll of silver PLA (Filamex brand) that prints very nicely as well. Easily the "cleanest" prints I've made in terms of no stringing at all. I've printed in five different colors/spools and my silver seemed to be happiest at lower temp (195-200).

Re: Silver colored PLA

Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2014 9:03 pm
by mechg
Yes ! There is very little stringing with this stuff as well. Much better than the blue stuff that comes with the Orion.

Update: I am getting excellent results using 20mm print speed for high quality, and 50mm/s retract speed with 7mm retract length.
There is still a bit of oozing on long travels, so maybe I need to increase the travel speed somewhat.

Re: Silver colored PLA

Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2014 9:17 am
by caseythehost
Finally! A silver that is ... well ... silver and not grey.

Re: Silver colored PLA

Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2014 3:17 pm
by mechg
caseythehost wrote:Finally! A silver that is ... well ... silver and not grey.
From the photo here, the Voltivo filament looks even better, though I haven't tried it myself and it is $47 per spool versus $26 for the Solutech;

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:536259