Metallic PLA

Description

• Material Base: PLA (Polylactic Acid) mixed with metal powder (e.g., bronze, copper, brass, aluminum)

• Finish:

  • Shiny, metallic appearance with varying levels of gloss depending on the metal infusion

  • Can be polished or sanded to enhance the metallic sheen

• Diameter:

  • 1.75mm (±0.02mm tolerance)

• Recommended Nozzle Temperature:

  • 200°C – 230°C
    
    (Varies slightly based on brand and metal powder content)

• Bed Temperature:

  • 50°C – 60°C (standard heated bed settings work well)

• Print Speed:

  • 30 – 60 mm/s for best quality
    
    (Printing too fast may cause poor layer bonding)

• Nozzle Recommendation:

  • Hardened steel or ruby-tipped nozzles
    
    (Metallic PLA is abrasive and can wear out standard brass nozzles)

• Density:

  • Heavier than standard PLA due to metal additives (1.3 to 1.6 g/cm³)

• Surface Finish:

  • Matte out of the printer, but can be polished to a shiny, reflective metallic finish

• Post-processing:

  • Polishing: Metal-infused prints can be polished with steel wool, sandpaper, or polishing compounds to bring out a high gloss finish

  • Sanding: If you want a brushed metal look, you can sand the surface lightly

• Printability:

  • Very similar to regular PLA; however, it may require slower printing speeds for better surface finish

  • Can be prone to clogging if using a standard brass nozzle due to abrasive particles