3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

rPETG vs PLA Metal

Compare printing settings, strength, heat resistance, dated prices and sources.

Recycled PETG (rPETG) guideMetal-filled PLA guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore rPETG comparisonsMore PLA Metal comparisons
rPETG vs PLA Metal — documented properties and sources
PropertyRecycled PETG (rPETG)PETGMetal-filled PLAPLA
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$28.99/kg median; $17.24–$39.98/kg across 4 dated product listings$79.69/kg median; $24.99–$94.99/kg across 6 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryPETG regranulated from recycled polyester waste; Polymaker's Fiberon PETG-rCF08 adds 8 wt% recycled carbon fibre[1][2][3]PLA loaded with real metal powder — bronze, copper, steel or iron. Bambu Lab's PLA Sparkle TDS states it has "metal particles included in its composition"; its separately sold PLA Metal does not, and the store page says so explicitly[4][5][6][7][8][9]
Densityg/cm³1.27 (Prusament) and 1.30 (Fiberon PETG-rCF08), ISO 1183[1][3]1.26 (Bambu Lab Sparkle, a trace-metal glitter grade) up to 3.9–4.0 for colorFabb bronze and copper and 2.3 for Proto-pasta steel, ISO 1183[7][4][5][10]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg spools cluster near 29[11][12][13][14]1 kg spools cluster near 78[15][16][6]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg17–40 across brands; Filament PM RePETG 17, 3DXTech ECOMAX 26, GreenGate3D 32, Fiberon rCF08 40[11][12][13][14]25–95 across brands; Bambu Lab Sparkle 25, Proto-pasta iron 65, colorFabb bronze and copper 84, Proto-pasta steel 95[15][6][16][10]
Market availability1–5Available from several mainstream brands[11][12][13]Available from several mainstream brands[16][6][10][15]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5, 1 and 3 kg spools[13][12]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.1, 0.5, 0.75, 1 and 1.5 kg spools[17][16]
Typical applicationsNot documentedDecorative castings and props that are polished or left to patinate; the density gives prints a metallic heft[4][6]
Diameter tolerance± mm±0.05 (Prusament PETG Recycled), against ±0.02 for virgin Prusament PETG[1][18]Not documented
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C250 ± 10 (Prusament); 230–255 (Spectrum)[1][2]195–220 (colorFabb bronze and copper); 192 (Proto-pasta iron); 198 (Proto-pasta steel); 190–230 (Bambu Lab Sparkle)[4][6][10][7]
Bed temperature°C80 ± 10 (Prusament); 60–80 (Spectrum)[1][2]50–60 (colorFabb, Proto-pasta); 35–45 (Bambu Lab)[4][6][7]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Open frame is fine — Spectrum states a closed chamber is not necessary[2]Open frame is fine[4]
Part cooling fan50 % (Prusament); up to 100 % (Spectrum)[1][2]On (colorFabb copper); 0–100 % (colorFabb bronze)[4][5]
Bed surface & adhesion aidTextured PEI, satin or powder-coated sheets; on smooth PEI a glue stick acts as a release agent[18][19]Glass plate with glue stick or tape (colorFabb)[4][5]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/sNot documented1.6–2.4 at Proto-pasta's 20–30 mm/s for iron and steel, 3.2–8 at colorFabb's 40–100 mm/s, on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer[6][10][4][20]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs the right surface or a thin adhesive — the problem is releasing the part, not sticking it[18][19]Not documented
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Moderate — retraction tuning needed; Polymaker names stringing as PETG's common quirk[19]Not documented
Overall printing difficulty1–5Easy — minor profile tuning; Spectrum describes printing as similar to standard PETG[2]Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; brittle in filament form and slow to print[6][10]
Extruder requirementNot documentedProto-pasta advises an extrusion width 0.05 mm larger than the nozzle and warns that feeding is inconsistent below 0.4 mm and on Bowden machines[6][10]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely[1]Brass acceptable; hardened steel for volume work[6][10]
Abrasiveness1–5Not documentedModerately abrasive — metal fill[6][10]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Low — recycled PETG prints on the same hardware as virgin PETG: no special hot-end, no drybox and no hardened nozzle[21][22]Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle[10]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[21]Not documented
Hotend requirementNo special hot-end required[21]Proto-pasta recommends a wear-resistant or larger nozzle for longer service intervals[6][10]
Other hardware wearNot documentedProto-pasta warns of more frequent nozzle replacement and first-layer adjustment[6][10]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Moderate (0.3–0.8 %) — recycled PETG shares the virgin matrix, which reaches 0.40 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH[18]Moderate — the PLA matrix takes up 0.40–0.51 % saturated; the metal powder itself does not absorb water[23][24]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%0.07 after 24 h and 0.10 after 7 days at 24 °C / 22 % RH (Prusa Polymers)[1]Not documented
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[25]Not documented
Effect of moisture on strengthPolymaker groups PETG with nylon, PVA and TPU as highly hygroscopic; no dry-versus-conditioned strength figures are published for this grade and the loss shows as bubbling and poor layer adhesion[25]Polymaker rates PLA low-sensitivity and publishes no dry-versus-conditioned figures for this grade; absorbed water flashes to steam and shows as bubbling and poor layer adhesion[25]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Polymaker groups PETG with the highly hygroscopic materials[25][19]Not documented
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa43 ± 1.8 printed horizontal at yield, ISO 527-1 (Prusament), against 47 ± 2 for virgin Prusament PETG; Spectrum quotes 52 at yield on moulded specimens[1][18][2]25 (colorFabb copper) and 30 (colorFabb bronze), ISO 527-1A; Bambu Lab Sparkle 39 ± 3 printed XY, ISO 527[4][5][7]
Young's modulusMPa1500 printed horizontal, 1600 printed vertical (Prusament, ISO 527-1) — the same as virgin Prusament PETG[1][18]1940 ± 230 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab Sparkle)[7]
Elongation at break%4.5 at yield printed (Prusament); Spectrum quotes 400 at break on moulded specimens[1][2]3–10 (colorFabb copper) and 5–10 (colorFabb bronze), ISO 527-1A; 11.7 for Bambu Lab Sparkle printed XY[4][5][7]
Flexural strengthMPa63 ± 1 printed horizontal, ISO 178 (Prusament), against 66 ± 2 for virgin Prusament PETG[1][18]75 ± 4 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab Sparkle)[7]
Flexural modulusMPa1800 printed horizontal, ISO 178 (Prusament)[1]2350 ± 140 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab Sparkle)[7]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²12 ± 1 printed horizontal and 15 ± 3 printed vertical, ISO 179-1 notched (Prusament)[1]23.2 ± 2.4 printed XY, ISO 179, notched (Bambu Lab Sparkle)[7]
Other impact dataCharpy unnotched 25 ± 3 printed horizontal and 38 ± 11 printed vertical (Prusament, ISO 179-1)[1]Izod notched 4.5 kJ/m² for colorFabb bronzeFill and 10 kJ/m² for copperFill (ISO 180); Charpy unnotched 66.5 kJ/m² for Bambu Lab Sparkle[4][5][7]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa15 ± 5 (Prusa Polymers interlayer adhesion test), against 18 ± 4 for virgin Prusament PETG[1][18]32 ± 2 printed Z, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab Sparkle)[7]
Brittleness1–5Moderate[1]Brittle — Proto-pasta describes both its iron and steel grades as more brittle than standard PLA in filament form[6][10]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / Rockwell74 Shore D (Prusa Polymers method) — the same as virgin Prusament PETG[1][18]Not documented
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Below average — no recycled-grade creep test; virgin PETG sagged from 12 to 17.1–20.4 mm over 5 days at 1.25 kg[26][27][28][29]Poor — no metal-filled creep test; plain printed PLA sagged from 12 to 16.2–21.8 mm over 5 days at 1.25 kg[30][31][32]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Moderate — no recycled-grade S-N curve; virgin printed PETG ran 79 000–193 000 cycles at 30 % of tensile strength[33]Poor — no grade-specific S-N curve; plain printed PLA ran 38 000–49 000 cycles at 30 % of tensile strength and Proto-pasta describes its iron and steel grades as more brittle than standard PLA[33][6][10]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Slightly flexible in thin sections[1]Rigid[7]
Z strength as % of XY%Not documented82 by tensile (printed, Bambu Lab Sparkle)[7]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C68 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa) — the same as virgin Prusament PETG; Spectrum quotes 70[1][18][2]55 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa, Bambu Lab Sparkle)[7]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C68 (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa)[1]53 (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa, Bambu Lab Sparkle)[7]
Glass transition (Tg)°CNot documented56 (DSC, Bambu Lab Sparkle)[7]
Melting point / Vicat°CNot documented156 peak melt (DSC, Bambu Lab Sparkle)[7]
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating published for standard grades[34]Not documented
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Not documentedDegrades within weeks outdoors[35]
Outdoor durabilityNot documentedProto-pasta markets its iron grade as rustable — the iron oxidises deliberately when exposed to moisture[6]
Chemical resistanceWithstands acids, alkalis, oils and UV exposure[19]Not documented
Food contactNot certified for food contact as filament[19]Not documented
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[19]Not documented
RecyclabilityThe feedstock itself — Spectrum describes collecting, shredding and re-homogenising PETG waste[2]Not documented
Electrical & ESD propertiesNot documentedProto-pasta magnetic iron PLA is ferromagnetic and responds to magnets[6]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[36]Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission[36]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Open a window / occasional ventilation[36]None needed in a normal room[36]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands poorly — the material is tough and gums rather than powders[21]Polishing is the intended finish — colorFabb and Proto-pasta both sell these grades to be sanded and buffed to a metallic shine[4][5][10]
Gluing & solvent weldingCyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds PETG cleanly[21]Not documented
Vapour / chemical smoothingNo practical vapour smoothing[21]Not documented
Support material pairingPrints its own supports; Polymaker rates PolyDissolve S1 for PETG[21]Not documented
Dimensional accuracy & detailNot documentedcolorFabb notes the metal fill increases die swell, so flow needs raising above plain PLA[5]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inNo common workshop solvent; 1,2-dichloroethane destroys it inside a week and dichloromethane — a carcinogen — dissolves the surface.[37][38]Chloroform dissolves the PLA matrix (10 % w/v, 2–4 h at 23 °C) and leaves the filler as loose sludge; laboratory reagent.[39]
Softened or crazed byAcetone (+16 % weight over 1 year at 23 °C), ethyl acetate, toluene and DMF swell and soften it; methanol crazes it.[37]Acetone, ethyl acetate and toluene plasticise the matrix but dissolve <1 % even at 65 °C; acetone submersion crazes parts.[39][38]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentDichloromethane brushed on is the only agent that smooths PETG — a controlled carcinogen, not workshop stock.[38]Chloroform vapour attacks only the resin fraction, so the filler is left standing proud; no workshop-safe agent exists.[40][38]

Material entries describe families or representative grades, not an interchangeable specification for every spool. Test methods, orientations and conditions may differ. Unknown values are marked “Not documented”. Prices and source dates remain historical snapshots; check the linked guide for product details. Differences highlight text, not a universal winner.

Sources for this comparison

  1. Prusament PETG Recycled Technical Datasheet Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · tds
  2. Spectrum r-PETG Technical Data Sheet Spectrum Filaments · 2026-08 · tds
  3. Fiberon PETG-rCF08 Technical Data Sheet V1.0 Polymaker · 2026-08 · tds
  4. bronzeFill technical data sheet colorFabb · 2026-08 · tds
  5. copperFill technical data sheet colorFabb · 2026-08 · tds
  6. Magnetic Iron PLA — product page and technical data Proto-pasta · 2026-08 · tds
  7. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet — PLA Sparkle Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  8. PLA Metal — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — PLA Metal Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  10. Stainless Steel PLA — product page and technical data Proto-pasta · 2026-08 · tds
  11. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. GreenGate3D Recycled PET-G — product data GreenGate3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. Filament PM RePETG technical data sheet Filament PM (Plasty Mladec) · 2026-08 · tds
  15. PLA Sparkle — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  16. bronzeFill — product page colorFabb US · 2026-08 · vendor
  17. Proto-pasta product catalogue Proto-pasta · 2026-08 · vendor
  18. Prusament PETG Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2022-02 · tds
  19. PETG — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  20. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  21. PET and PETG — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  22. Filament Material Guide Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  23. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — PLA Basic Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  24. PolyLite PLA Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  25. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  26. PCTG vs PETG comparison — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  27. Extrudr PETG vs PCTG vs XPETG-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  28. Prusament PETG-CF vs PETG V0 vs PETG — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  29. BambuLab PETG Basic vs Translucent vs PETG-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  30. BambuLab PLA Basic vs PLA Tough vs PLA-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  31. Polymaker PLA Pro vs PLA-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  32. Carbon Fiber PLA vs META-PLA vs PLA+ vs PLA by Sunlu — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  33. Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Polymeric Materials — PLA and PETG — For Biomechanical Applications Polymers 16(13):1868 · 2024-06 · paper
  34. Prusament PETG V0 Technical Datasheet Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · tds
  35. PLA — material guide Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  36. Emissions of Ultrafine Particles and Volatile Organic Compounds from Commercially Available Desktop Three-Dimensional Printers with Multiple Filaments (Azimi et al.) Environmental Science & Technology 50(3) 1260-1268 · 2016-01 · paper
  37. Eastman Spectar copolyester — Chemical resistance (unstressed bars, 1 year at 23 °C) Eastman Chemical Company · 2026-08 · tds
  38. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  39. Solubility Study of Ingeo Biopolymer Grades in Common Organic Solvents (NWPD003) NatureWorks · 2019-10 · tds
  40. Effect of vapour smoothing in trichloromethane on 3D printed PLA — surface, mechanical and chemical structure Pitale, Keche & Chopra, Engineering Research Express 6(4) 045579 · 2024-12 · paper