Metal-filled PLA prints at about 210 °C with a 60 °C bed and 100% part cooling. Usable range 195–225 °C nozzle, 55–70 °C bed. Abrasive — needs a hardened nozzle.
Bronze PLACopper PLASteel PLAMetal PLA
Starting settings
Nozzle
195–225 °C (start 210)
Bed
55–70 °C (start 60)
Part fan
80–100% (start 100%)
Wall speed
20–40 mm/s
Max volumetric flow
8 mm³/s
Shrinkage
0.3%
Softens at
60 °C
Enclosure
Not needed
Nozzle size
0.4 mm or larger — 0.6 mm recommended
Nozzle material
Hardened steel required — this is abrasive
Drying
45 °C for 5 h
Speed
SLOWER, 20–40 mm/s. Metal powder makes the melt sluggish and the parts heavy, so pushing speed under-extrudes and adds nothing.
Bed surface
Smooth or textured PEI. Heavy parts benefit from a brim on tall geometry.
Nozzle
Hardened steel, 0.6 mm preferred. Metal powder is dense and abrasive, and a larger orifice keeps flow steady.
What bites people
Hardened steel nozzle required — metal powder is abrasive.
Very heavy. A print can weigh several times what the same shape does in plain PLA, and the spool itself is a lump.
Weak and brittle. The metal powder displaces plastic, so there is less polymer holding the part together. Decorative only.
Can be sanded and polished to a genuine metallic finish, which is the reason to put up with the rest of it.