3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PLA-GF vs PLA Metal

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

Glass-fibre PLA (PLA-GF) guideMetal-filled PLA guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PLA-GF comparisonsMore PLA Metal comparisons
PLA-GF vs PLA Metal — documented properties and sources
PropertyGlass-fibre PLA (PLA-GF)PLAMetal-filled PLAPLA
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$44.99/kg median; $29.99–$59.99/kg across 2 dated product listings$79.69/kg median; $24.99–$94.99/kg across 6 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryPLA filled with chopped glass fibre — 12 wt% (Polymaker HT-PLA-GF), 15–20 wt% (eSUN PLA-GF). Bambu Lab PLA Galaxy uses glass microspheres, not fibre, and is not equivalent[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/cm³1.31 (eSUN) to 1.337 (Polymaker), ISO 1183 / GB/T 1033[1][2]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 30[11][12]1 kg spools cluster near 78[13][14][6]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg30–60 across brands; Polymaker 30, Proto-pasta 60[11][12]25–95 across brands; Bambu Lab Sparkle 25, Proto-pasta iron 65, colorFabb bronze and copper 84, Proto-pasta steel 95[13][6][14][10]
Market availability1–5Niche, a handful of specialist brands[11][12][2]Available from several mainstream brands[14][6][10][13]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 mm; 0.5 and 1 kg spools[12][15]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.1, 0.5, 0.75, 1 and 1.5 kg spools[12][14]
Typical applicationsStiff brackets and fixtures; the Polymaker grade is aimed at parts annealed for heat resistance[1]Decorative castings and props that are polished or left to patinate; the density gives prints a metallic heft[4][6]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C210–230 (Polymaker HT-PLA-GF)[1]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°C25–60 (Polymaker HT-PLA-GF)[1]50–60 (colorFabb, Proto-pasta); 35–45 (Bambu Lab)[4][6][7]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Open frame is fine[1]Open frame is fine[4]
Part cooling fanFan on — eSUN specifies 100 %[2]On (colorFabb copper); 0–100 % (colorFabb bronze)[4][5]
Bed surface & adhesion aidNot documentedGlass plate with glue stick or tape (colorFabb)[4][5]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/s28 at Polymaker's stated 350 mm/s on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer; eSUN prints its specimens at 60 mm/s[1][2][16]1.6–2.4 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][16]
Shrinkage%0.05 in X-Y and Z, 0.10 diagonal (Polymaker HT-PLA-GF)[1]Not documented
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; hardened nozzle mandatory[1]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 required1–4Hardened steel required[1]Brass acceptable; hardened steel for volume work[6][10]
Abrasiveness1–5Highly abrasive — standard GF composite[1]Moderately abrasive — metal fill[6][10]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; Prusa lists higher risk of nozzle clogging for glass-filled composites[17]Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle[10]
Hotend requirementHardened steel or ruby nozzle; Polymaker's own slicer preset sets a minimum nozzle hardness of 40 HRC[1]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 — the PLA matrix takes up 0.40–0.51 % saturated; no glass-filled grade publishes its own figure[18][19]Moderate — the PLA matrix takes up 0.40–0.51 % saturated; the metal powder itself does not absorb water[18][19]
Drying temperature & time60 °C for 6 h (Polymaker HT-PLA-GF)[1]Not documented
Effect of moisture on strengthPolymaker 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[20]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[20]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa50.1 as printed and 50.2 annealed, printed XY, ISO 527 (Polymaker); eSUN quotes 59.3 by GB/T 1040[1][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 modulusMPa3794 as printed, 4207 annealed, printed XY, ISO 527 (Polymaker)[1]1940 ± 230 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab Sparkle)[7]
Elongation at break%2.77 as printed, 2.3 annealed, printed XY, ISO 527 (Polymaker); eSUN quotes 7.99[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 strengthMPa86.4 printed XY, ISO 178 (Polymaker)[1]75 ± 4 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab Sparkle)[7]
Flexural modulusMPa3685 printed XY, ISO 178 (Polymaker); eSUN quotes 4415 flexural modulus by GB/T 9341[1][2]2350 ± 140 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab Sparkle)[7]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²5.31 ± 0.46 as printed and 4.92 ± 0.50 annealed (printed XY, ISO 179, notched); Z 4.28 ± 0.18[1]23.2 ± 2.4 printed XY, ISO 179, notched (Bambu Lab Sparkle)[7]
Other impact dataIzod 10.16 kJ/m² (eSUN, GB/T 1843)[2]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 tensileMPa23.7 as printed, 22.5 annealed, printed Z, ISO 527 (Polymaker)[1]32 ± 2 printed Z, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab Sparkle)[7]
Brittleness1–5Very brittle — elongation at break 2.77 % in XY and 0.85 % in Z[1]Brittle — Proto-pasta describes both its iron and steel grades as more brittle than standard PLA in filament form[6][10]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Poor — no GF-grade creep test; plain printed PLA sagged from 12 to 16.2–21.8 mm over 5 days at 1.25 kg[21][22][23]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[21][22][23]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Poor — no grade-specific S-N curve; plain printed PLA ran 38 000–49 000 cycles at 30 % of tensile strength and elongation at break falls to 2.77 % in XY and 0.85 % in Z[24][1]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[24][6][10]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[7]
Z strength as % of XY%47 as printed (23.7 Z against 50.1 XY), printed[1]82 by tensile (printed, Bambu Lab Sparkle)[7]
Wear resistance & frictioneSUN describes high wear resistance and positions the grade for wear parts[2]Not documented
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C75.5 as printed, 114.7 after annealing (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa) — the point of the material[1]55 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa, Bambu Lab Sparkle)[7]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C59.7 as printed, 84 after annealing (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa)[1]53 (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa, Bambu Lab Sparkle)[7]
Glass transition (Tg)°C59.8 (DSC)[1]56 (DSC, Bambu Lab Sparkle)[7]
Melting point / Vicat°C174.9 peak melt (DSC); Vicat 148.9 as printed, 148.3 annealed[1]156 peak melt (DSC, Bambu Lab Sparkle)[7]
Annealing responseAnnealing lifts HDT at 0.45 MPa from 75.5 to 114.7 °C and modulus from 3794 to 4207 MPa[1]Not documented
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Degrades within weeks outdoors[25]Degrades within weeks outdoors[25]
Outdoor durabilityNot documentedProto-pasta markets its iron grade as rustable — the iron oxidises deliberately when exposed to moisture[6]
Electrical & ESD propertiesNot documentedProto-pasta magnetic iron PLA is ferromagnetic and responds to magnets[6]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission[26]Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission[26]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5None needed in a normal room[26]None needed in a normal room[26]
Dust & fibre handling hazardGlass fibre is bound in the matrix; avoid inhaling sanding dust[27]Not documented
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningNot documentedPolishing is the intended finish — colorFabb and Proto-pasta both sell these grades to be sanded and buffed to a metallic shine[4][5][10]
Dimensional accuracy & detailNear-zero shrinkage — 0.05 % in X-Y and Z (Polymaker)[1]colorFabb notes the metal fill increases die swell, so flow needs raising above plain PLA[5]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inChloroform dissolves the PLA matrix (10 % w/v, 2–4 h at 23 °C) and leaves the filler as loose sludge; laboratory reagent.[28]Chloroform dissolves the PLA matrix (10 % w/v, 2–4 h at 23 °C) and leaves the filler as loose sludge; laboratory reagent.[28]
Softened or crazed byAcetone, ethyl acetate and toluene plasticise the matrix but dissolve <1 % even at 65 °C; acetone submersion crazes parts.[28][29]Acetone, ethyl acetate and toluene plasticise the matrix but dissolve <1 % even at 65 °C; acetone submersion crazes parts.[28][29]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentChloroform vapour attacks only the resin fraction, so the filler is left standing proud; no workshop-safe agent exists.[30][29]Chloroform vapour attacks only the resin fraction, so the filler is left standing proud; no workshop-safe agent exists.[30][29]

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. Polymaker HT-PLA-GF Technical Data Sheet V1.1 Polymaker · 2026-08 · tds
  2. eSUN ePLA-GF Technical Data Sheet V1.0 (Nov 2023) eSUN (copy hosted on 3d.nice-cdn.com) · 2023-11 · tds
  3. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V1.0 — PLA Galaxy Bambu Lab · 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. Polymaker HT-PLA-GF — product page Polymaker Shop · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. Proto-pasta product catalogue Proto-pasta · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. PLA Sparkle — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. bronzeFill — product page colorFabb US · 2026-08 · vendor
  15. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  16. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  17. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  18. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — PLA Basic Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  19. PolyLite PLA Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  20. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  21. BambuLab PLA Basic vs PLA Tough vs PLA-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  22. Polymaker PLA Pro vs PLA-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  23. Carbon Fiber PLA vs META-PLA vs PLA+ vs PLA by Sunlu — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  24. Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Polymeric Materials — PLA and PETG — For Biomechanical Applications Polymers 16(13):1868 · 2024-06 · paper
  25. PLA — material guide Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  26. 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
  27. StoneFil safety data sheet Formfutura · 2026-08 · msds
  28. Solubility Study of Ingeo Biopolymer Grades in Common Organic Solvents (NWPD003) NatureWorks · 2019-10 · tds
  29. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  30. 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