As mentioned before, the cost difference between using metal filament and an industrial metal printer is astronomical. However, compared to standard filaments, metal filaments can cost at least twice as much, depending on the amount and type of fill. It’s still certainly within the realm of consumer printing, but pricing can be deceiving, so be sure to pay attention to the amount you’re getting.

For starters, standard PLA or ABS filaments usually come in 1-kg spools. With the corresponding prices in mind, metal filament can sometimes look like a deal, but often prices are for only 500 grams or less. If you want to try different materials, you can look for low-cost “samples” (such as 100-gram coils). That way, you can try something out before committing to a whole roll.

On a similar note, any metal will add to the density of its filament. This means that compared to PLA or ABS, a spool of metal filament may be shorter than you’d expect for the same weight. If possible, always check length specifications when purchasing.

Before you start printing with metal filament, it’s important to consider the following:

• Upgrading your nozzle to stainless steel, nickel-plated brass (better heat transfer), or another hardened alloy may be necessary since brass nozzles wear out much faster from metal abrasion.
• Filament should be kept dry and in a cool place to reduce moisture exposure. With metal fill, especially at higher percentages, the filament can be a little more brittle and should be handled with care.
• Print settings can be a challenge. The more metal in the filament, the more difficult it may be to find the correct settings for a good print. Considerations must be made for adjusting temperature, retraction, and first-layer thickness.

US-based Protoplant is one of the early players in the metal 3D printer filament market. Their filament brand ProtoPasta includes the following five metal 3D printing filaments: copper-, brass-, and bronze-filled HTPLA (heat-treatable PLA) as well as steel- and iron-filled composite PLA.

For the HTPLA filaments, treating printed objects with heat (110 °C for 10 minutes) makes them significantly stronger and harder. You can polish prints from the iron-filled filament to expose the metal, then apply water- or vinegar-based washes to cause different aging effects.

Given that all five materials primarily consist of PLA and have densities ranging from 1.85 to 2.3 g/cm³, the percent metal by volume is close to 10 to 15%.

Although ProtoPasta appears at the top of many consumer lists and is likely to provide good-quality prints, there are a couple of drawbacks to their metal blends. First, the spools are cardboard instead of plastic. While environmentally friendly, they may not roll as smoothly. And second, the filament is brittle and has to be handled with care.

• Price: $70-$100 for 1 kg (500-g spool for ~$50)
• Spool sizes: 100 g, 500 g, 2 kg
• Nozzle temperature: 185-230 °C
• Bed temperature: Up to 60 °C

ProtoPasta Metal Filament

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Born as a way to make the RepRap project accessible to the masses, the UK-based company Ooznest specializes in at-home engineering. Selling parts, materials, and upgrades for 3D printing and CNC milling helps make a viable small-scale production of anything the user desires.

The filament is available in two colors, “Penny Copper” and “Vikings Bronze”. A post-process phase is recommended, especially if aiming at polishing or oxidizing the part. This will help achieve a wide range of looks, from a shiny futuristic finish to rusty Steampunk aesthetics.

With densities of 3.39 and 3.41 g/cm³, the metal content would be between 25 and 30% of the total volume. Ooznest recommends keeping the spools away from UV light since this affects the shelf life significantly.

• Price: ~$72 for 1 kg (500-g spool for ~$36)
• Spool sizes: 500 g
• Nozzle temperature: 210 °C
• Bed temperature: Up to 60 °C

Ooznest Metal Filament

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The Swedish company PrimaSelect offers their metal-filled PLA in bronze, copper, and brass (although product selection appears limited to what’s in stock). Like many other entries in this list, the filament will print similarly to the base polymer (PLA, in this case). It’s highly recommended to use a hardened nozzle to minimize abrasion on the internal bore.

The final surface presents a homogenous look, dotted with sparks of real metal. While the color might not be as shiny and coppery as the pure element, it completely changes after polishing.

Strength-wise, the metal filler doesn’t improve the performance of the material – quite the opposite. It’s therefore recommended for decorative prints only. PrimaSelect suggests using 400-grit sandpaper or a tumbler to polish the final part and reveal the copper particles. Note that a lower layer height will be easier to post-process.

Given the reported density is 3.59 g/cm³, we calculated that it contains approximately 30% copper.

• Price: ~$75 for 1 kg (750-g spool for ~$60)
• Spool sizes: 100 g, 750 g
• Nozzle temperature: 210-235 °C
• Bed temperature: Up to 60 °C

PrimaSelect Metal Filament

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Available in “Classic Copper” and “Ancient Bronze”, the Netherlands-headquartered Formfutura manufactures and retails metal 3D filaments that are claimed to be around three times as heavy as PLA.

Both materials are based in PLA and have densities close to 3.5 g/cm³. Therefore, the percent metal by volume lies around 30% for each.

• Price: ~$60 for 1 kg (750-g spool for ~$48)
• Spool sizes: 250 g, 750 g, 1.5 kg
• Nozzle temperature: 215-235 °C
• Bed temperature: Up to 60 °C

FormFutura Metal Filament

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Founded in 2012 in the Netherlands, ColorFabb has been a pioneer in manufacturing metal 3D printer filaments. It launched its first 3D printing filaments commercially in 2013, and in 2014, the company debuted BronzeFill, which had actual bronze powder in it – a technological breakthrough at the time.

As of 2020, ColorFabb has a widely acclaimed portfolio of metal-infused PLA filaments with metal powder mixed in, including BronzeFill, CopperFill, and SteelFill. Based on the base materials and densities provided by the company, these filaments include between 30 and 35% metal by volume.

All of these filaments can be used with almost any desktop 3D printer, and the printed model has the look and feel of a real metal object. With a laser-sintered texture and complexion plus a matte finish, prints can be further polished, sanded, and filed to get a more refined final look.

• Price: ~$70 for 1 kg (750-g spool for ~$55)
• Spool sizes: 750 g, 1.5 kg
• Nozzle temperature: 190-220 °C
• Bed temperature: 55 °C

ColorFabb Metal Filament

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If you’re looking for a reliable filament brand, Gizmo Dorks is a good bet because of its range of products, quality, and popularity. They offer two metal-filled PLA filaments: copper and bronze. The company claims that the percent metal in these filaments is 5%, but without any additional information, it’s unclear as to whether this value refers to volume or weight.

Still, they produce nice-looking models, and users seem happy with the results. And that’s not surprising; with its low metal percentage, this filament should be relatively easy to work with, and it’s also competitively priced.

• Price: ~$25 for 1 kg
• Spool size: 1 kg
• Nozzle temperature: 190-225 °C
• Bed temperature: Up to 70 °C

Gizmo Dorks Metal Filament

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BuMat is an American manufacturer with a diverse portfolio of filaments, including flexibles, high-speed PLA, and metal-filled. According to BuMat, their metal-filled filaments are PLA-based and contain between 10 and 12% metal, but it’s uncertain whether this refers to volume or weight.

The company offers three options: aluminum, bronze, or copper. The base PLA material also sticks to the color of the infused metal, so your prints will look even more metallic.

• Price: ~$22 for 1 kg
• Spool size: 1 kg
• Nozzle temperature: 180-220 °C
• Bed temperature: Not required

BuMat Elite Metal-Filled Filament

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Better known for its line of silk and multicolor PLA, Amolen has recently launched a new matte black PLA with alleged magnetic properties. This intriguing and original option boasts a 20% iron powder content. However, we weren’t able to verify if this is expressed by volume or weight.

In a promotional video, printed parts are even picked up with a strong magnet. While it remains unclear how strong of a magnetic field is needed, it’s surely an impressive feature that makers can incorporate into awesome projects. Given its great looks, it can also be useful for decorative prints.

The product page does not mention any particular precaution or setup to use, but we still recommend installing a harder nozzle and calibrating the filament properly before printing.

• Price: ~$34 for 1 kg
• Spool sizes: 1 kg
• Nozzle temperature: 200-220 °C
• Bed temperature: Up to 50 °C

Amolen Metal PLA

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