3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PLA Metal vs PPA

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

Metal-filled PLA guidePPA (polyphthalamide) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PLA Metal comparisonsMore PPA comparisons
PLA Metal vs PPA — documented properties and sources
PropertyMetal-filled PLAPLAPPA (polyphthalamide)PA
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$79.69/kg median; $24.99–$94.99/kg across 6 dated product listings$45.49/kg median; $45.49–$45.49/kg across 1 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]Polyphthalamide — a semi-aromatic polyamide in which aromatic diacid units replace part of the aliphatic backbone; Raise3D and Bambu Lab both label it high-temperature nylon[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]1.21 (ISO 1183, Siraya Tech Fibreheart PPA)[10]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg spools cluster near 78[11][12][3]One 1 kg listing on the market, at 45[13]
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[11][3][12][9]45 for the only unfilled PPA filament found — Siraya Tech Fibreheart PPA at 1 kg; every other PPA in retail is carbon- or glass-filled[13]
Market availability1–5Available from several mainstream brands[12][3][9][11]Special order, 1–2 makers worldwide — Siraya Tech is the only brand found selling unfilled PPA filament[13]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.1, 0.5, 0.75, 1 and 1.5 kg spools[14][12]1.75 mm, 1 kg[13]
Typical applicationsDecorative castings and props that are polished or left to patinate; the density gives prints a metallic heft[1][3]Gears, bearings and tooling that must hold load above the reach of PA6 or PA12, and parts exposed to fuels and industrial chemicals[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]280–300 (Siraya Tech)[10]
Bed temperature°C50–60 (colorFabb, Proto-pasta); 35–45 (Bambu Lab)[1][3][4]70–80 (Siraya Tech)[10]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Open frame is fine[1]Enclosure recommended — Siraya Tech advises an enclosure to hold temperature and limit warping on larger prints[10]
Part cooling fanOn (colorFabb copper); 0–100 % (colorFabb bronze)[1][2]20–60 % (Siraya Tech)[10]
Bed surface & adhesion aidGlass plate with glue stick or tape (colorFabb)[1][2]PEI sheet with a glue stick, or a PVP glue coating[10]
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][15]Not documented
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; brittle in filament form and slow to print[3][9]Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning; needs a 300 °C-class hot end and a dry spool[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]Not documented
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass acceptable; hardened steel for volume work[3][9]Brass fine indefinitely — Siraya Tech states a hardened steel nozzle is not needed for the unfilled grade[10]
Abrasiveness1–5Moderately abrasive — metal fill[3][9]Non-abrasive when unfilled[10]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle[9]Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; Siraya Tech tells users to dry only when moisture symptoms appear, rather than before every print[10]
Hotend requirementProto-pasta recommends a wear-resistant or larger nozzle for longer service intervals[3][9]High-quality metal nozzle, 0.4–1.0 mm; hardened steel not required (Siraya Tech)[10]
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[16][17]High (0.8–2 %) — Siraya Tech publishes 2.59 % by ISO 62 immersion for the unfilled grade; on the equilibrium basis Bambu Lab uses, its 15 % carbon-filled PPA reaches 1.30 % against 2.35 % for the same maker's PA6-CF[10][8][18]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%Not documented2.59 by ISO 62 water immersion (Siraya Tech, unfilled) — an immersion figure, not the 25 °C / 55 % RH equilibrium basis the filled grades are quoted on, so the two are not directly comparable[10]
Drying temperature & timeNot documented80–100 °C for 4–6 h (Siraya Tech)[10]
Symptoms when wetNot documentedOozing, bubbles and a rough surface finish (Siraya Tech)[10]
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[19]Siraya Tech publishes dry against saturated for the same grade: tensile 70 → 60 MPa, flexural 114 → 87 MPa, HDT at 1.8 MPa 73.5 → 48.5 °C, while Charpy rises 10 → 14.5 kJ/m²[10][13]
Storage requirementNot documentedDry box below 15 % RH (Siraya Tech)[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]72 at break (printed, ASTM D638, Siraya Tech); the product page quotes 70 dry and 60 saturated[10][13]
Young's modulusMPa1940 ± 230 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab Sparkle)[4]3600 (printed, ASTM D638, Siraya Tech)[10]
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]10.5 at break (printed, ASTM D638, Siraya Tech)[10]
Flexural strengthMPa75 ± 4 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab Sparkle)[4]115 (printed, ISO 178, Siraya Tech); 114 dry against 87 saturated on the product page[10][13]
Flexural modulusMPa2350 ± 140 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab Sparkle)[4]3350 (printed, ISO 178, Siraya Tech)[10]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²23.2 ± 2.4 printed XY, ISO 179, notched (Bambu Lab Sparkle)[4]10.1 Charpy (printed, ISO 179, Siraya Tech); the data sheet does not state whether the specimen was notched[10]
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]Not documented
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa32 ± 2 printed Z, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab Sparkle)[4]Not documented
Brittleness1–5Brittle — Proto-pasta describes both its iron and steel grades as more brittle than standard PLA in filament form[3][9]Moderate — 10.5 % elongation at break puts it between PA6 and the fibre-filled grades[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[20][21][22]Good — Raise3D cites high creep resistance as a reason to choose the PPA matrix over other nylons[7]
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[23][3][9]Not documented
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[4]Rigid — 3.6 GPa tensile modulus[10]
Z strength as % of XY%82 by tensile (printed, Bambu Lab Sparkle)[4]Not documented
Wear resistance & frictionNot documentedSiraya Tech describes the unfilled grade as low-friction and self-lubricating, aimed at gears and bearings[10][13]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C55 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa, Bambu Lab Sparkle)[4]81 dry and 61 saturated (printed, ISO 75 Method B at 0.45 MPa, Siraya Tech)[10]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C53 (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa, Bambu Lab Sparkle)[4]73.5 dry and 48.5 saturated (printed, ISO 75 Method A at 1.8 MPa, Siraya Tech) — unfilled PPA deflects near its Tg; the 190–227 °C figures quoted for PPA are carbon-filled grades[10][8]
Glass transition (Tg)°C56 (DSC, Bambu Lab Sparkle)[4]80 (ASTM D3418, Siraya Tech)[10]
Melting point / Vicat°C156 peak melt (DSC, Bambu Lab Sparkle)[4]231 melting point (ASTM D3418) and 230 Vicat (ISO 306), Siraya Tech[10]
Annealing responseNot documentedSiraya Tech's product page offers annealing for strength while its own data sheet says annealing is not recommended because the print can warp; on its 15 % carbon-filled PPA, annealing lifts HDT at 1.8 MPa from 82.5 to 119 °C[10][13][24]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Degrades within weeks outdoors[25]Not documented
Outdoor durabilityProto-pasta markets its iron grade as rustable — the iron oxidises deliberately when exposed to moisture[3]Not documented
Chemical resistanceNot documentedWithstands fuels, oils and industrial chemicals; Bambu Lab rates semi-aromatic nylon better than general nylon against weak acids, weak alkalis and most organic solvents[10][8]
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Not documentedAbsorbs water, properties shift — a saturated specimen loses about 15 % of its tensile strength and 25 °C of heat-deflection temperature[10][13]
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[26]Not documented
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5None needed in a normal room[26]Not documented
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]Not documented
Support material pairingNot documentedCompatible with quick-release support materials (Siraya Tech)[10]
Dimensional accuracy & detailcolorFabb notes the metal fill increases die swell, so flow needs raising above plain PLA[2]Not documented
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.[27]Dissolved at 23 °C by formic acid, phenol, m-cresol, 96 % sulphuric acid or hexafluoroisopropanol — all laboratory reagents.[28]
Softened or crazed byAcetone, ethyl acetate and toluene plasticise the matrix but dissolve <1 % even at 65 °C; acetone submersion crazes parts.[27][29]Mineral acids, oxidants, halogens and zinc chloride solutions attack the amide bond; ordinary solvents do not.[28]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentChloroform vapour attacks only the resin fraction, so the filler is left standing proud; no workshop-safe agent exists.[30][29]None — nylon's only solvents are formic acid, phenol and HFIP, all of which degrade the part they wet.[28]

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. Raise3D Industrial PPA CF Technical Data Sheet V2.0 Raise3D · 2022-04 · tds
  8. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V1.0 — PPA-CF Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  9. Stainless Steel PLA — product page and technical data Proto-pasta · 2026-08 · tds
  10. Siraya Tech Fibreheart PPA Technical Data Sheet Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · tds
  11. PLA Sparkle — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. bronzeFill — product page colorFabb US · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. Siraya Tech Fibreheart PPA Filament — product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. Proto-pasta product catalogue Proto-pasta · 2026-08 · vendor
  15. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  16. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — PLA Basic Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  17. PolyLite PLA Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  18. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — PA6-CF Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  19. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  20. BambuLab PLA Basic vs PLA Tough vs PLA-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  21. Polymaker PLA Pro vs PLA-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  22. Carbon Fiber PLA vs META-PLA vs PLA+ vs PLA by Sunlu — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  23. Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Polymeric Materials — PLA and PETG — For Biomechanical Applications Polymers 16(13):1868 · 2024-06 · paper
  24. Siraya Tech Fibreheart PPA-CF Technical Data Sheet Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · tds
  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. Solubility Study of Ingeo Biopolymer Grades in Common Organic Solvents (NWPD003) NatureWorks · 2019-10 · tds
  28. Ultramid Nylon Chemical Resistance guide (unmodified PA6 B27E and PA66 A27E) BASF · 2026-08 · 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