Best Metal Filaments to Buy

Metal filaments have modified 3D printing, allowing creators to produce parts with the appearance and some properties of real metal using standard desktop 3D printers. These filaments typically consist of metal powders mixed with a polymer base, enabling users to achieve metallic finishes and enhanced durability in their prints. From artistic sculptures to functional prototypes, metal filaments offer a versatile solution for various applications. In this article, we’ll explore the eight best metal filament options available, highlighting their unique characteristics, benefits, and ideal use cases for both professionals and hobbyists.

1. Amolen

Amolen, known for silk and multicolor PLA, now offers a matte black PLA filament with magnetic properties.

• Composition: Contains 20% iron powder; it's unclear if this percentage is by volume or weight.
• Magnetic Features: High-quality filament with a unique matte black finish and magnetic capabilities, suitable for printing small magnetic parts like screws, caps, and chains.
• Sanding and Polishing: Made from high-density, tough materials. The matte finish allows for various sanding and polishing effects, providing a smooth and shiny surface.
• Printing Specifications: Extrusion temperature between 200-220°C; optional bed temperature up to 50°C. Compatible with most FDM 3D printers.
• Storage and Support: Comes vacuum-sealed with desiccant for dryness and stability. Includes customer support for issues, with options for refunds or reissues of defective filament.

Pricing: Approximately $34 for a 1 kg spool.

Purchase Link: Amazon.

2. Gizmo Dorks

If you're searching for a dependable filament brand, Gizmo Dorks stands out due to its diverse product range, quality, and popularity. They offer two types of metal-filled PLA filaments: copper and bronze. The company states that these filaments contain 5% metal, though it’s unclear whether this percentage is based on volume or weight.

Product Details:

• Brand: Gizmo Dorks
• Material: PLA Bronze
• Item Weight: 0.6 pounds
• Item Diameter: 1.75 millimeters
• UPC: 887503179699

Key Features:

• Composition: Metal Bronze (Bronzefill with PLA base)
• Extrusion Nozzle Temperature: 190 - 225 °C
• Filament Diameter: 1.75 mm with a dimensional accuracy of ±0.03 mm
• Net Weight: 200 grams
• Spool Dimensions: Diameter 5.125", Width 2", Hub Diameter 1.5"
• Compatibility: Suitable for various 3D printers, including Monoprice Maker Select, Lulzbot, and Flash Forge
• Price: Approximately $25 for a 1 kg spool
• Bed Temperature: Up to 70 °C

Purchase Link: Amazon.

3. Ooznest Metal 

• Company Overview: Ooznest, a UK-based firm, emerged to democratize the RepRap project by providing accessible solutions for home engineering. They offer a range of parts, materials, and upgrades for 3D printing and CNC milling, enabling users to produce a variety of small-scale projects.
• Filament Colors: Available in "Penny Copper" and "Vikings Bronze," these filaments can be post-processed to achieve different finishes, from a sleek, modern look to a vintage Steampunk appearance.

• Composition and Weight: The filaments are infused with real metal powder and base PLA plastic, making the printed items approximately three times heavier than standard prints. They are designed for aesthetic purposes, providing a unique metallic appearance.
• Metal Content: The "Penny Copper" and "Vikings Bronze" variants contain 70% and 80% metal powder, respectively, mixed with PLA. This combination not only adds weight but also enhances the visual appeal and tactile quality of the prints.

Usage Note: Avoid using a standard brass nozzle, as the metal powder may cause excessive wear.

Pricing and Specifications:

• Price: ~$72 per kg (500 g spool for ~$36)
• Spool Size: 500 g
• Recommended Nozzle Temperature: 210°C
• Recommended Bed Temperature: Up to 60°C

Purchase Link: Ooznest.co.uk.

4. ProtoPasta

• Company Overview: Protoplant, based in the US, is a pioneer in the metal 3D printer filament industry.
• Filament Range: ProtoPasta, their filament brand, offers five metal-filled filaments:
  • Copper-filled HTPLA
  • Brass-filled HTPLA
  • Bronze-filled HTPLA
  • Steel-filled composite PLA
  • Iron-filled composite PLA
• Unique Features:
  • Rustable Magnetic Iron: Provides a rustic, antique look and can be weathered for added realism
  • Electrically-conductive graphite: Suitable for creating simple circuits and touch-sensitive devices
  • Other Metals: Includes options like stainless steel, copper, brass, and bronze composites
• Print Specifications:
  • Temperature: 185°C - 215°C
  • Density: 2.3 g/cm³
  • Print speeds: 10-20 mm/s for the first layer and 20-80 mm/s for the rest
  • Price: $70-$100 per kg (500 g spool around $50)
  • Spool Sizes: 100 g, 500 g, 2 kg
  • Nozzle Temperature: 185°C-230°C
  • Bed Temperature: Up to 60°C

Purchase Link: Matterhackers.com.

5. PrimaSelect Metal

PrimaSelect, a Swedish company, offers metal-filled PLA filament in bronze, copper, and brass, with availability dependent on stock. This filament provides a unique metallic finish but requires specific handling and post-processing techniques.

• Filament Options: Bronze, copper, and brass (stock-dependent)
• Printing Characteristics:
  • Similar to standard PLA in printing behavior
  • Use a hardened nozzle to minimize internal bore wear
• Surface Appearance:
  • Uniform finish with metallic flecks
  • Enhanced color and shine after polishing
• Strength and Use:
  • Metal filler may reduce material strength
  • Ideal for decorative prints
• Polishing:
  • Recommended: 400-grit sandpaper or a rotary tumbler
  • Lower layer height eases post-processing
• Material Properties:
  • Contains 80% pure metal for an authentic appearance
  • Compatible with most FFF/FDM 3D printers
  • A hardened steel nozzle is preferred; regular brass nozzles wear faster
• Post-Processing:
  • Achieve a cast-like finish with polishing
  • Fine grit sandpaper (600) and water improve shine; optional metal polish for extra gloss
• Specifications:
  • Filament Type: Metal
  • Diameter: 2.85 mm
  • Tolerance: 0.1 mm
  • Weight: 0.10 kg
  • Length: 4 m
  • Color: Bronze
  • Specific Gravity: 3.72 g/cm³
  • Price: ~$75 for 1 kg (750 g spool ~$60)
  • Spool Sizes: 100 g, 750 g
  • Nozzle Temperature: 210-235°C
  • Bed Temperature: Up to 60°C

Purchase Link: 3dprima.com.

6. Formfutura 

Formfutura, based in the Netherlands, offers metal 3D filaments in “Classic Copper” and “Ancient Bronze”. These filaments are reported to be about three times heavier than standard PLA.

• Material Composition:
  • Both filaments are PLA-based
  • Density approximately 3.5 g/cm³
  • Metal content by volume is around 30%
• Pricing:
  • Approximately $60 for 1 kg
  • 750-g spool available for about $48
• Spool Sizes:
  • Available in 250 g, 750 g, and 1.5 kg
• Printing Specifications:
  • Nozzle temperature: 215-235 °C
  • Bed temperature: Up to 60 °C

Purchase Link: Amazon.

7. ColorFabb

Established in the Netherlands in 2012, ColorFabb quickly emerged as a leader in metal 3D printing filaments. By 2013, it introduced its first commercial filaments, and in 2014, it launched BronzeFill, incorporating actual bronze powder, marking a significant technological advancement.

• Product Range: By 2020, ColorFabb had developed a renowned line of metal-infused PLA filaments, including BronzeFill, CopperFill, and SteelFill. These filaments feature 30-35% metal powder by volume, enhancing their metallic appearance.
• Compatibility: Suitable for most desktop 3D printers, these filaments produce models with a genuine metal look and feel. The finished prints can be polished, sanded, or filed for a refined finish.
• Specialty Options: ColorFabb offers various filaments, including wood-infused types for a wooden appearance and glow-in-the-dark variants for a green luminescent effect.
• Specifications:
  • Diameter Tolerance: ±0.05 mm
  • Density: 3.13 - 3.9 g/cm³ (varies by material)
  • Glass Transition Temperature: 55°C
  • Price: Approximately $70 for 1 kg, $55 for 750-g spool
  • Spool Sizes: 750 g, 1.5 kg
  • Nozzle Temperature: 190-220 °C
  • Bed Temperature: 55 °C

Purchase Link: Matterhackers.com.

8.  BuMat

BuMat, a prominent American filament manufacturer, provides a wide range of products, including flexible filaments, high-speed PLA, and metal-infused varieties. Their metal-filled filaments are PLA-based and incorporate 10-12% metal, though it's unclear if this percentage pertains to volume or weight.

Options Available:

• Metal Types: Aluminum, Bronze, Copper
• Color Effect: The PLA base takes on the color of the embedded metal, enhancing the metallic appearance of prints.

Details:

• Price: ~$22 per 1 kg
• Bed Temperature: Not necessary
• Spool Size: 1 kg
• Nozzle Temperature: 180-220 °C

Purchase Link: Amazon.

Having looked at the best metal filaments, it’s also important to have a look at the best 3D printing software. There are many that are available, but we recommend using SelfCAD. It is an easy to use 3D design software that you can use to create both simple and complex 3D models. The video below shows an overview of the software. 

The software also comes with an in-built online slicer that you can use to slice your files and generate the G-code to send to your 3D printer. The video below shows how the slicer of SelfCAD works.

Print with Suitable Metal Filaments for Stronger Designs

Selecting the right metal filament depends on your specific needs, such as strength, appearance, or printability. The eight options highlighted provide diverse choices, from high-strength composites to aesthetically pleasing metallic finishes. Each filament offers unique properties, allowing for tailored solutions for various applications in engineering, art, and prototyping. By understanding the strengths and limitations of these filaments, you can make an informed decision to achieve optimal results in your 3D printing projects. Choosing the right metal filament not only enhances the quality of your prints but also broadens your creative and manufacturing possibilities.

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