Protopasta Protopasta Stainless Steel-filled Metal Composite PLA Filament - 2.85mm (0.5kg)
Protopasta metal-filled HTPLA is a blend of HTPLA and real steel powder. It has a matte finish out of the printer, but can be sanded and polished for a unique sparkly finish, or oxidized for an aged patina. It is three times the weight of standard PLA, making it ideal for printing items like jewelry, props, and artistic pieces.
- Heat Treatable
- Metal-Composite Finish
- Weight of Genuine Metal
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Proto-Pasta's Stainless Steel PLA combines the look and feel of stainless steel with the 3D printing capabilities of PLA to bring you a revolutionary filament. Holding a printed part in your hand, you'll immediately notice a significant difference in texture, weight, and density. The stainless steel printed part will feel heavier, harder, and more solid than a PLA printed part.
In a freshly printed form, stainless steel PLA looks like cast metal. If you like that look, feel free to leave it that way. If not, your prints can be finished several different ways to create unique textures.
- Wire brushing will increase shine, but won't remove print lines.
- Prints can be placed in a rock tumbler with abrasive materials for a variety of finishes. Steel shot is commonly used.
- Great metallic looking results can be achieved using a polishing compound and a polishing wheel. Wheel polishing may remove layer lines, and will give the print an amazing shine factor.
Technical Specifications:
- Material: PLA/Stainless Steel Powder
- Diameter: 1.75mm
- Extrusion Temperature: 195-220C
- Bed Temperature: 50C (not required)
- Density: 2.4g/cm3 (2400kg/m3)
Left to right: unfinished, wire brush, polishing wheel and cream, rock tumbler.
Unpolished, the Stainless Steel PLA looks like cast metal fresh from a mold. With just a little finishing and polishing, however, you can easily create any look like you desire.
NOTE: Proto-Pasta's Stainless Steel PLA should be handled with care. The addition of stainless steel powder makes the filament a little bit more brittle than normal PLA. Since Stainless Steel PLA contains stainless steel powder, the filament may be abrasive to normal brass nozzles. Stainless steel nozzles are more resistant to wear and tear than brass nozzles - plus, they will last much longer. It is highly recommended that a stainless steel nozzle is used. You can find them here.
Proto-Pasta Stainless Steel PLA is perfect for printing jewlery, props, costumes, figurines, and robots. Since it is so easy to print with, it is great not only for hobbyists, but serious designers as well.
