3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PLA Metal vs PLA Wood

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

Metal-filled PLA guideWood-filled PLA guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PLA Metal comparisonsMore PLA Wood comparisons
PLA Metal vs PLA Wood — documented properties and sources
PropertyMetal-filled PLAPLAWood-filled PLAPLA
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$79.69/kg median; $24.99–$94.99/kg across 6 dated product listings$34.49/kg median; $13.99–$76.40/kg across 6 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryPLA 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[1][2][3][4][5][6]PLA filled with wood powder — 10–18 wt% (Bambu Lab SDS); colorFabb woodFill uses a PLA/PHA base with recycled wood fibre[7][8]
Densityg/cm³1.26 (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[4][1][2][9]1.15 (colorFabb) to 1.23 (Fiberlogy), ISO 1183; Bambu Lab 1.21[10][8][11]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg spools cluster near 78[12][13][3]1 kg spools cluster near 25; counting the 0.5 kg specialty spools the middle of the market is about 34[14][15][16]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg25–95 across brands; Bambu Lab Sparkle 25, Proto-pasta iron 65, colorFabb bronze and copper 84, Proto-pasta steel 95[12][3][13][9]14–76 across brands; SUNLU 14, ELEGOO 19, Bambu Lab 25, Prusament 44, Filament PM 49 on 0.5 kg spools, colorFabb 76[15][14][17][18][19][16]
Market availability1–5Available from several mainstream brands[13][3][9][12]Stocked by most mainstream brands[14][15][18][11]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.1, 0.5, 0.75, 1 and 1.5 kg spools[20][13]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.6, 0.85 and 1 kg spools[18][11][14]
Typical applicationsDecorative castings and props that are polished or left to patinate; the density gives prints a metallic heft[1][3]Decorative and model-making prints that are sanded and stained like timber[10][8]
Diameter tolerance± mmNot documented±0.03 (Bambu Lab)[10]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C195–220 (colorFabb bronze and copper); 192 (Proto-pasta iron); 198 (Proto-pasta steel); 190–230 (Bambu Lab Sparkle)[1][3][9][4]190–240 (Bambu Lab); colorFabb advises 195–220 for its PLA/PHA base[10][8]
Bed temperature°C50–60 (colorFabb, Proto-pasta); 35–45 (Bambu Lab)[1][3][4]35–45 (Bambu Lab); 50–70 (Fiberlogy)[10][11]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Open frame is fine[1]Open frame is fine[10]
Part cooling fanOn (colorFabb copper); 0–100 % (colorFabb bronze)[1][2]Fan on[10]
Bed surface & adhesion aidGlass plate with glue stick or tape (colorFabb)[1][2]Not documented
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/s1.6–2.4 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[3][9][1][21]Not documented
Warping tendency1–5Not documentedNone[10]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; brittle in filament form and slow to print[3][9]Easy — minor profile tuning; pre-drying is required and the wood content chars if it sits hot[22][10]
Extruder requirementProto-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[3][9]Nozzles below 0.4 mm are not compatible; Bambu Lab does not recommend the AMS lite[22]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass acceptable; hardened steel for volume work[3][9]Brass acceptable; hardened steel for volume work — Bambu Lab's PLA compatibility table lists no hardened-nozzle requirement, but its nozzle guide names wood among the abrasive filaments hardened steel exists for[22][23]
Abrasiveness1–5Moderately abrasive — metal fill[3][9]Moderately abrasive — wood fill[22]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle[9]Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; wood particles char and block small nozzles[22]
Hotend requirementProto-pasta recommends a wear-resistant or larger nozzle for longer service intervals[3][9]Not documented
Other hardware wearProto-pasta warns of more frequent nozzle replacement and first-layer adjustment[3][9]Not documented
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Moderate — the PLA matrix takes up 0.40–0.51 % saturated; the metal powder itself does not absorb water[24][25]High — 1.25 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH, the highest in the PLA family[10]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%Not documented1.25 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[10]
Drying temperature & timeNot documented55 °C for 8 h in a forced-air dryer; Bambu Lab lists pre-drying as required[10][22]
Symptoms when wetNot documentedBambu Lab flags pre-drying and ventilation as specific requirements for this grade[22]
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[26]No dry-versus-conditioned figures are published. At 1.25 % saturated uptake the practical loss shows as poor layer adhesion, rough surface and weak layers[26][10]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa25 (colorFabb copper) and 30 (colorFabb bronze), ISO 527-1A; Bambu Lab Sparkle 39 ± 3 printed XY, ISO 527[1][2][4]26 ± 5 (Bambu Lab) and 28.4 (colorFabb) printed XY, ISO 527; Fiberlogy quotes 35 at yield[10][8][11]
Young's modulusMPa1940 ± 230 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab Sparkle)[4]2360 ± 190 (Bambu Lab) and 2479 (colorFabb) printed XY, ISO 527; Fiberlogy 2950[10][8][11]
Elongation at break%3–10 (colorFabb copper) and 5–10 (colorFabb bronze), ISO 527-1A; 11.7 for Bambu Lab Sparkle printed XY[1][2][4]4.5 (colorFabb) to 15.3 (Bambu Lab) printed XY, ISO 527; Fiberlogy 6.5[10][8][11]
Flexural strengthMPa75 ± 4 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab Sparkle)[4]55 ± 4 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab)[10]
Flexural modulusMPa2350 ± 140 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab Sparkle)[4]2780 ± 120 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab)[10]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²23.2 ± 2.4 printed XY, ISO 179, notched (Bambu Lab Sparkle)[4]3.81 (colorFabb) and 6.3 ± 2.2 (Bambu Lab) printed XY, ISO 179, notched[10][8]
Other impact dataIzod 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[1][2][4]Charpy unnotched 12.28 (colorFabb) and 15.7 (Bambu Lab), printed, ISO 179[10][8]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa32 ± 2 printed Z, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab Sparkle)[4]15 ± 4 printed Z, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); flexural Z falls to 28 against 55 in XY[10]
Brittleness1–5Brittle — Proto-pasta describes both its iron and steel grades as more brittle than standard PLA in filament form[3][9]Brittle — snaps with little warning[10]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Poor — no metal-filled creep test; plain printed PLA sagged from 12 to 16.2–21.8 mm over 5 days at 1.25 kg[27][28][29]Poor — no wood-filled creep test; plain printed PLA sagged from 12 to 16.2–21.8 mm over 5 days at 1.25 kg[27][28][29]
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 Proto-pasta describes its iron and steel grades as more brittle than standard PLA[30][3][9]Poor — no grade-specific S-N curve; plain printed PLA ran 38 000–49 000 cycles at 30 % of tensile strength and the wood filler cuts elongation and the parts snap without warning[30][10]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[4]Rigid[10]
Z strength as % of XY%82 by tensile (printed, Bambu Lab Sparkle)[4]58 by tensile, 51 by flexural (printed, Bambu Lab)[10]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C55 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa, Bambu Lab Sparkle)[4]60 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa)[10]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C53 (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa, Bambu Lab Sparkle)[4]57 (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa)[10]
Glass transition (Tg)°C56 (DSC, Bambu Lab Sparkle)[4]54 (Bambu Lab, DSC); Fiberlogy quotes 55–60[10][11]
Melting point / Vicat°C156 peak melt (DSC, Bambu Lab Sparkle)[4]156 peak melt (DSC)[10]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Degrades within weeks outdoors[31]Degrades within weeks outdoors[31]
Outdoor durabilityProto-pasta markets its iron grade as rustable — the iron oxidises deliberately when exposed to moisture[3]Not documented
Electrical & ESD propertiesProto-pasta magnetic iron PLA is ferromagnetic and responds to magnets[3]Not documented
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission[32]Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission[32]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5None needed in a normal room[32]None needed in a normal room; Bambu Lab specifically advises ventilation for this grade[22]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningPolishing is the intended finish — colorFabb and Proto-pasta both sell these grades to be sanded and buffed to a metallic shine[1][2][9]Sands and stains like timber — the usual reason for choosing it[8]
Support material pairingNot documentedSupport for PLA (Bambu Lab)[10]
Dimensional accuracy & detailcolorFabb notes the metal fill increases die swell, so flow needs raising above plain PLA[2]Wood grain hides layer lines; colour darkens with nozzle temperature[10][8]
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.[33]Chloroform dissolves the PLA matrix (10 % w/v, 2–4 h at 23 °C) and leaves the filler as loose sludge; laboratory reagent.[33]
Softened or crazed byAcetone, ethyl acetate and toluene plasticise the matrix but dissolve <1 % even at 65 °C; acetone submersion crazes parts.[33][34]Acetone, ethyl acetate and toluene plasticise the matrix but dissolve <1 % even at 65 °C; acetone submersion crazes parts.[33][34]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentChloroform vapour attacks only the resin fraction, so the filler is left standing proud; no workshop-safe agent exists.[35][34]Chloroform vapour attacks only the resin fraction, so the filler is left standing proud; no workshop-safe agent exists.[35][34]

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. bronzeFill technical data sheet colorFabb · 2026-08 · tds
  2. copperFill technical data sheet colorFabb · 2026-08 · tds
  3. Magnetic Iron PLA — product page and technical data Proto-pasta · 2026-08 · tds
  4. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet — PLA Sparkle Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  5. PLA Metal — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  6. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — PLA Metal Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  7. Safety Data Sheet SDS20250723SA16 — Bambu PLA Wood Bambu Lab · 2025-07 · msds
  8. woodFill technical data sheet colorFabb · 2026-08 · tds
  9. Stainless Steel PLA — product page and technical data Proto-pasta · 2026-08 · tds
  10. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet — PLA Wood Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  11. FiberWood technical data sheet Fiberlogy · 2026-08 · tds
  12. PLA Sparkle — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. bronzeFill — product page colorFabb US · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. PLA Wood — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  15. ELEGOO product catalogue ELEGOO · 2026-08 · vendor
  16. PLA+ WOODJet - Natur (1,75 mm; 0,5 kg) Filament PM shop · 2026-08 · vendor
  17. Printed Solid product catalogue Printed Solid · 2026-08 · vendor
  18. woodFill — product page colorFabb US · 2026-08 · vendor
  19. SUNLU Optimized Wood PLA 3D Printer Filament 1 kg SUNLU · 2026-08 · vendor
  20. Proto-pasta product catalogue Proto-pasta · 2026-08 · vendor
  21. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  22. PLA Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  23. Nozzles — material and compatibility Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  24. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — PLA Basic Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  25. PolyLite PLA Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  26. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  27. BambuLab PLA Basic vs PLA Tough vs PLA-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  28. Polymaker PLA Pro vs PLA-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  29. Carbon Fiber PLA vs META-PLA vs PLA+ vs PLA by Sunlu — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  30. Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Polymeric Materials — PLA and PETG — For Biomechanical Applications Polymers 16(13):1868 · 2024-06 · paper
  31. PLA — material guide Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  32. 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
  33. Solubility Study of Ingeo Biopolymer Grades in Common Organic Solvents (NWPD003) NatureWorks · 2019-10 · tds
  34. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  35. 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