MetalFil | FormFutura
Formfutura MetalFil Classic Copper / Ancient Bronze is a composite PLA (polylactic acid) filament that is gravimetrically filled with approximately 80% copper powder for the Classic Copper version and with approximately 80% bronze powder for the Ancient Bronze version. The high copper content in MetalFil Classic Copper makes 3D-printed objects nearly indistinguishable from genuine casted objects.
Technical informations
Thermal properties | |
| Vicat softening temperature | 66 °C |
Filament properties | |
| Country of origin | Netherland |
| Filament density | 3.5 g/mm3 |
| Diameter tolerance | 0.05 mm |
| Recommended adhesive | 3DLac - Bestselling adhesive spray |
Spool weight and dimensions |
How to store filaments
Humidity and UV light can decrease the filament quality and weaken its mechanical properties. We strongly recommend storing open filaments in a dry and dark place. You can find a complete guide on how to properly store your filament here
Where to throw print fails and supports?
We kindly ask our customers to cope with plastic waste responsibly. Failed prints, support material, rafts, or brims should be liquidated according to the local guidelines. Paradoxically, in most cases, it is better to throw this waste in the regular trash can, as most of the material waste created in 3D printing is not identified, which causes more problems than benefits in the waste sorting facilities.
MetalFil | FormFutura
Formfutura MetalFil Classic Copper / Ancient Bronze is a composite PLA (polylactic acid) filament that is gravimetrically filled with approximately 80% copper powder for the Classic Copper version and with approximately 80% bronze powder for the Ancient Bronze version. The high copper content in MetalFil Classic Copper makes 3D-printed objects nearly indistinguishable from genuine casted objects.
MetalFil can be post-processed with various patina effects. It can be brushed, sanded, polished, waxed, coated, and patina post-processed
Unique features
- Very high filling of 80% of metal powder
- Real copper/bronze look, heavyweight, and “cold” metal feel
- Approximately 300% heavier than PLA (density of 3.4 g/cc)
- Compatible with full metal, PEEK, and PFTE hotends
- Compatible with direct drive and Bowden style extruders
- Compatible with ≥ 0.4mm hardened nozzles with retraction settings enabled
- Easy to post-process
Applications
- Aesthetics, design, and art
- Figurines and miniatures
Post processing MetalFil
Brushing and/or sand grinding
Once printed MetalFil objects can very easily be brushed with a brass brush or sanded with a fine-grit sandpaper. By brushing and/or sand grinding your printed object you will brush/shine up the high concentration of copper powders.
Build-in white polish feature
After being brushed and/or sanded MetalFil will reveal its white polish feature. A very thin white layer/haze on your object will now allow you to easily polish your 3D print into a beautiful copper object.
Professional polishing with a rotary tumbler
Post-processing a MetalFil 3D printed object with a rotary tumbler will make your FDM 3D printed object indistinguishable from genuine casted objects.
Patina post-processing
You can create several patina effects on MetalFil printed objects in just one day time. With an ammonia and soda treatment you can for instance easily create a beautiful ancient green/blue weathering effect on your copper object.
Waxing and coating
After every above-mentioned post-processing measure, you can always wax or coat your printed object to get an incredible shine effect. Waxing can be done with products such as beeswax and for coating one can think about products such as XTC-3D.
Abrasiveness
Please be aware that MetalFil filaments contain a very high concentration of metal powders, which have an abrasive nature. In general, these metal powders will accelerate the nozzle-wear of brass nozzles, much faster than unfilled filaments. We recommend using nozzles from stainless steel or other hardened alloys.
VIDEO
General information about PLA :
PLA is a great material with awesome printability, it is great for novice printers and perfectly works with any printer. Depending on the brand and the type, it mostly differs in mechanical and thermal resistance, and as you may think color. 3D PLA filaments are the most widely printed because of their ease to use and so the producer did want to catch a market share by offering colors beyond the rainbow's colors. PLA was until recently a weak filament with only 50°C heat resistance and very poor mechanical properties. The demand for PLA made producers overengineer the material and some firms managed to put seriously increase this once hobby-only material.
Differences in PLA price usually mean better color consistency, lower in-filament humidity rate, better diameter tolerance, higher thermal resistance (see Volcano PLA from FormFutura), and better stiffness (up to 9x like PolyMax from PolyMaker).
Printability of PLA filament
PLA is the easiest to print material. It is very forgiving and usually, most slicer predefined settings will work well. PLA doesn't warp, has great overhang capabilities, and has a great interlayer adhesion. Most of the time, PLA doesn't even require an adhesive to stick to the hotbed.
PLA mechanical and thermal properties
Regular basic PLA is stiff and not very tough meaning that it can break easily. Its main disadvantage is that it starts softening at 50°C. It is mostly suited for visual prototypes and non-functional models. Because of its ease of print, most brands have modified and pushed the PLA boundaries further making some PLAs suitable for functional prototypes.
Tips and other notable benefits
PLA is so-called "eco-friendly" and is widely used for compostable cutlery. "So-called" because its compatibility is not what you would expect from this word.
Browse all PLA filaments in stock in our warehouse in Senec, Slovakia. For comparison, see also PETG and ECO.
FormFutura is a supplier of additive manufacturing materials founded in 2012. Its range covers filaments, resins and adhesives, from easy everyday PLA to engineering polymers and water-soluble support materials. At JustCreate3D the FormFutura products we list are stocked in our warehouse in Senec, Slovakia, and dispatched as soon as your order comes in.
The brand is known for promoting sustainable packaging in the 3D printing industry, for supplying recycled products and for supporting green initiatives. FormFutura also keeps renewing its portfolio with new materials, and offers XXL spools of up to 8 kg for users who print a lot.
FormFutura products at JustCreate3D
- PLA and decorative filaments – Volcano PLA, SKULPT and MetalFil, a PLA filled with about 80% copper or bronze powder.
- Technical filaments – ApolloX ASA, ABSpro Flame Retardant, STYX-12 Nylon, Centaur PP and Pegasus PP-HGS25 Ultralight.
- Support materials – AquaSolve (PVA support for PLA), Atlas Support (for PETG) and Helios Support (for ABS and ASA).
- SLA/LCD resins – Platinum LCD Series General Purpose, and the Tough and Heavy Duty resins of the Engineering SLA Series.
Who is FormFutura for?
FormFutura suits makers who want one supplier for both standard and technical work: designers who need a special look (metal-filled or textured PLA), engineers printing outdoor parts in ASA or polypropylene, and anyone printing complex shapes with soluble supports. Resin users will find general-purpose and engineering resins from the same brand.
Frequently asked questions
Which FormFutura support material should I choose?
Match the support to your main filament: AquaSolve is made for PLA, Atlas Support for PETG and Helios Support for ABS and ASA. PVA-type supports absorb moisture quickly, so store the spool dry and dry it before printing if it has been open for a while.
Do I need a special nozzle for MetalFil?
Yes. According to FormFutura, MetalFil should be printed with a hardened nozzle of 0.4 mm or larger, with retraction enabled. It works with full-metal, PEEK and PTFE hotends and with both direct drive and Bowden extruders.
Where are the FormFutura resins?
The Platinum LCD and Engineering SLA Series resins are in our resin section, not among the filaments.
Browse all FormFutura filaments or see the FormFutura resins in resins for 3D printing.