Testing eSun PLA filaments: PLA-ST vs PLA+ vs Silk PLA (mechanical tests)

In this video I am testing eSun PLA filaments from mechanical strength aspect. In the test: eSilk PLA, PLA+ and PLA-ST. This is a comparison test, but I will try to keep these test specimens as some kind of my own standard, so they are comparable with each other. Results can be downloaded from my website in PDF format.
About used eSun filaments:

If you want to buy them (not affiliate links):

16 brands comparison video (part 2):

Support my work:

Contents:
0:00 About eSun PLA filaments
1:00 Closer look
3:11 3D printing eSilk
3:36 3D printing PLA+
4:03 3D printing PLA-ST
5:37 Tensile test
6:50 Layer adhesion test
8:12 Shear test
9:17 Bending test
10:55 Twist test
12:55 Impact test
14:27 Temperature test
15:16 Conclusions

#esun #esunfilaments #3dprinting #filamentreview

[RangerOfTheOrder]

You're the first person I've seen who's tested silk filament so thoroughly. The results were pretty similar to what I've observed, PLA+ and the silk have similar mechanical properties but the silk has worse layer adhesion. It's nice to be able to put some numbers to it. Thank you for this. Very cool to see 3D printing is alive and well in my family's motherland! :)

[diy_wizard]

Thanks! I am printing ePLA-ST right now and wanted to see some tests, I am a bit dissapointed of it's layer adhesion. So thanks for testing!

[solarguy]

Outstanding test protocols. There is no substitute for good data. I am surprised at how well the silk pla performed. I look forward to benchmark testing of their normal pla as well. Keep up the good work!

[jeff]

Excellent test experiment. Thank You for your time and information.
I just recently purchased a roll of the PLS-ST and have not had time to try it yet.
We do quite a bit of printing using strong abrasive filaments. We always test print our structural models first with the cheaper eSun PLA+.
We have learned is to use a higher than recommended temperatures and slower print speeds with the PLA+. With those 2 settings our PLA+ test prints have much stronger characteristics. usually with our CR-10s Pro and an all metal hot end with hardened nozzle our settings are print speed set at 45, 228c on the hot end and 60c for the glass bed.
I think you should give this a try just to see how it works out...

[runklestiltskin_]

The effort here is amazing, please include a creeping test.

[ThethTitan]

OUTSTANDING DEDICATION!!! Thank you, I been watching your videos and very much appreciate how in-depth you break everything down. Keep up the great work!

[kenloDV]

Ended up looking for the toughest PLA possible to print 30mm-75mm tabletop miniatures (prone to being dropped from table height) and I have to say your thorough review didn't disappoint... eSUN PLA-ST is truly the hidden gem (was previously using Sunlu PLA Meta and PolySonic PLA Pro). The next level up would be to use ABS since that's what actual injection molded figure are made of (tried printing the eSUN ABS+ but it struggled with layer adhesion, specially since I print on an A1 Mini)
All in all amazing methodical review, even if I end up using your results for printing non mechanical parts 😅.

[darthtater]

I just ran across your video. Fantastic job, best I’ve seen at testing.

[GMCRaptor]

You’re the reference in his field Igor. 👍

[shanijagatiya]

😅I am going with eSUN PLA+ filament, really liked it. Thanks for the video man. 👍

[bds]

Great video, very informative. Had no idea they were mostly pretty similar.

[deterdamel]

Again a great test. eSun has also TPU/TPE with different hardness. This could be interesting too.

[stephenratliff]

I appreciate the work you put into your videos. Thank you for the information and detail.

[ayylasco]

Many thanks for the detailed test of these filament!

[MichaelDessanov]

Great comparison! Thanks much for your hard work!

[spudnickuk]

i love your channel with good data, for a basic understanding

personaly I make tool parts, and at first i used Esun pla+ and they was great and the finish was good to
and now i use Esun pla st, my parts are far better looking with a crisper finish, and stronger
i use heat of 218 on my enders 3 v2 with pla st if you go above the ambiant temperature of its melting point it does become less stronger.
and that is the same with all filaments

Meaning if not hot enough then no good bonding and if to high then your cooking it so find the correct tempeture of your fillament by testing with a calibration model
as even a 3 degree differnece will change it properties
also the infill types and patterns for the model required makes a lot of difference to.
There are so many varients to settings for what model one needs to acheive,
and the scope is to try what is pefect for the requirments of your model

these test are only an insight for what has been done to this model

10 years i have been using differant brands and types . of pla and can say Esun is the best for the MONEY.

One thing i can say is good about this test. is that you can see just what has been done with his model
and an old saying, dont judge a book by its cover.

Thanks for the great video, I subscribed to your channel and I believe this channel has a great future and will find its place among the others like Stefan’s CNC Kitchen and such.

[alycapo]

Congratulations Igor your doing amazing with these videos. You are the only one I trust. Please do a comparison of esun Abs + or even a review. It's the most used filament in the voron and many other communities however no one really knows it's glass transition temperature or many other factors about it. Just it is known to be the easiest abs to print with consistent results at an affordable cost

[noway]

Very good tests, after all pla and pla+ is much more stronger than i think ...

[bryancoughlin]

Awesome video!
Thanks so much for the hard work.