Metal-filled filament: PLA with metal powder
Metal-filled filament is a plastic, most often PLA, mixed with a fine metal powder such as bronze, copper or steel. The part is heavier and looks like metal once polished, but it is not metal.
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Contents
What metal-filled filament is
It is PLA with a share of metal powder, up to 50 to 80 percent by weight. Bronze, copper, brass or stainless steel are the most common. The part is noticeably heavier than ordinary plastic and feels cold to the touch. After sanding and polishing it takes on a metallic shine.
It is not metal printing. It is still plastic with metal inside, and the strength and heat resistance are those of PLA. Real metal printing is a different technology, see metal printing.
What complicates printing
Metal-filled filament and our range
We do not print metal-filled filament. We offer PLA (€8 per kg) and PETG (€9 per kg), which is only the material share of the price. We do not do sanding or polishing.
A finished PLA part sprayed with metallic paint will give you a metal look too, see painting. That is a separate step after printing. If you need a genuinely metal part, printing in plastic is not enough and you need metal manufacturing or CNC. Write to jakub.novak@boostello.com. We do not promise to print with metal-filled filament.
Alternatives for a metal feel
You can increase the weight in the model itself: make a cavity and put a weight in it, such as steel balls. A part like that feels more valuable and costs less. If you want real metal, see CNC and 3D printing or metal manufacturing, which we do not offer.
EU companies with a valid VAT number in another member state receive an invoice without VAT, see reverse charge.
Common questions
Is a metal-filled filament part as strong as metal?
No. The strength is set by the plastic, not the metal in it.
Why is it heavier?
Metal powder is dense and makes up most of the weight.
Can metal filament be sintered into pure metal?
Special filaments can, but that is a separate process in a furnace, which we do not do.
Related terms
PLA
PLA (polylactic acid) is the most common 3D printing material, made from plant starch. It is cheap, accurate and easy to print, but it does not withstand heat above about 60 °C or long exposure to sun.
PETG
PETG is a tough 3D printing plastic, a close relative of the material in PET bottles. Compared with PLA it withstands more heat, impact and moisture, so it suits technical parts and outdoor use.
Hardened nozzle
A hardened nozzle is a 3D printer nozzle made of hardened metal that does not wear out as quickly on abrasive filaments, such as those with carbon or glass fibres.
Metal 3D printing (SLM, DMLS)
Metal 3D printing (SLM, DMLS) melts metal powder with a laser layer by layer to produce dense metal parts. It is an industrial technology with expensive machines.
Painting and lacquering
Painting and lacquering means coating a print afterwards to give it a different colour, an even surface or protection. For PLA and PETG, acrylic paints and sprays are used.
Sanding prints
Sanding is wearing down the surface of a print by hand or machine with sandpaper to reduce visible layers. It is the first step if you want to paint a part or have it smooth to the touch.
SourcesSources checked 1 November 2026, 1
- Bronze, Wikipedia, checked 2026-11-01
We will print it for you
Upload a model and see the price per piece, the total with shipping and the date at once. We print in Košice, Slovakia, from PLA and PETG.
No model? No problem, pick a ready one
These sites have thousands of free models. Download an STL or 3MF and upload it here. If you sell it or use it for business, check the model licence. How to pick a model and licence