PLA · reinforced grade
PLA METAL
Properties of the METAL condition, compared with the other PLA grades.
For heavy, metallic-looking display parts that can be tumbled and polished to a real metal sheen; very abrasive and mechanically weak.
What is PLA METAL?
PLA METAL is PLA in the METAL grade — for heavy, metallic-looking display parts that can be tumbled and polished to a real metal sheen; very abrasive and mechanically weak. PLA METAL has a yield strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) and a tensile strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) — weaker than 57% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 1.5% and the elastic modulus is 5 GPa (0.725 Msi). PLA METAL has a density of 3.2 g/cm³ (0.116 lb/in³), heavier than 100% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 60°C (140 °F). Standard is the default condition FabDigit quotes; METAL is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 0.6 W/m·K (0.347 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of polymer grades
- Low embodied carbon — 1.8 kg CO₂/kg, better than 99% of polymer grades
- Stiff — 5 GPa (0.725 Msi), better than 87% of polymer grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 75/100, better than 86% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.4%, better than 82% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Heavy — 3.2 g/cm³ (0.116 lb/in³), worse than 100% of polymer grades
- Limited ductility — 1.5%, worse than 97% of polymer grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 55/100, worse than 96% of polymer grades
- Limited service temperature — 50°C (122 °F), worse than 94% of polymer grades
- Difficult to machine — 40/100, worse than 81% of polymer grades
PLA METAL properties
Typical room-temperature values for PLA METAL — 8 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every PLA grade. Each bar shows where the value sits among the polymer grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical7
PLA METAL has a density of 3.2 g/cm³ (0.116 lb/in³), heavier than 100% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 60°C (140 °F).
Mechanical16
PLA METAL has a yield strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) and a tensile strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) — weaker than 57% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 1.5% and the elastic modulus is 5 GPa (0.725 Msi).
Thermal11
PLA METAL is rated for continuous service to 50°C (122 °F). It conducts heat at 0.6 W/m·K (0.347 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 70 µm/m·K (38.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical6
PLA METAL is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 19 kV/mm (482.6 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 96% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PLA METAL takes about 50 MJ of energy and emits 1.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 99% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 2%.
Manufacturability8
PLA METAL's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 81% of polymer grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability poor (25/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other PLA grades and fills
PLA is also supplied in 13 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the PLA overview.
- StandardDefaultDefault choice for visual prototypes, jigs and packaging where cost, print ease and dimensional accuracy matter more than toughness or heat resistance.50 MPa tensile
- GFCheaper stiffening route than CF with better strength retention; abrasive to brass nozzles and gives a rough, light-grey surface.62 MPa tensile
- IMPellet grades (e.g. Ingeo 2003D/3251D class) for moulded rigid packaging and cutlery — highest as-moulded strength but the same 55 °C HDT ceiling.58 MPa yield
- HTPLAChoose when the printed part must stay stiff above 60 °C: post-print annealing at 100–110 °C crystallises the resin and lifts HDT to ~90–120 °C (with ~1–2 % shrinkage).55 MPa tensile
- CFUse for stiff, matte-black, low-warp structural prints; nearly doubles modulus but is brittle and requires a hardened steel nozzle.52 MPa tensile
- ToughPick when parts must survive drops, screw bosses or snap fits — 3–5× the notched impact of plain PLA at slightly lower stiffness.45 MPa yield · 79 Shore D
- WoodDecorative composite that sands and stains like wood; mechanically weaker, clog-prone in small nozzles and needs low print temperatures to avoid charring.32 MPa tensile
- METALFor heavy, metallic-looking display parts that can be tumbled and polished to a real metal sheen; very abrasive and mechanically weak.25 MPa tensile
Working with PLA METAL
Is PLA easy to machine?
Machines easily with sharp single-flute cutters, high rpm and low feed, but heat build-up melts and re-welds chips — use air blast, avoid coolant with hot water, and expect brittle edge chipping when drilling.
Can PLA be welded?
Hot-plate, ultrasonic and friction welding all work below ~200 °C; solvent bonding with dichloromethane or ethyl acetate gives strong joints, and cyanoacrylate/epoxy adhere well after light sanding.
Can PLA be formed, bent or molded?
Prints at 190–220 °C nozzle / 50–60 °C bed with almost no warp and no enclosure needed; injection moulds at 185–215 °C into a 20–30 °C mould with 0.2–0.6 % shrinkage — dry pellets/filament to <250 ppm to prevent hydrolytic MW loss.
What surface finishes work on PLA?
Sand wet with 400–2000 grit, then polish or spray with acrylic/2K primer; acetone smoothing does not work (use ethyl-acetate wipe or UV/epoxy coat), and painting after a light key gives the most durable finish.
PLA chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| D-lactide unitshigher D content = more amorphous, lower Tm; 3DP grades ~4 % | 0.5 – 12 | 4 |
| residual lactide monomerISO/producer spec | 0 – 0.3 | 0.1 |
| nucleating agent / chain extendertalc, epoxy-functional oligomer in HT and IM grades | 0 – 3 | 0.5 |
| impact modifier (PBAT / acrylic core-she5–15 % in Tough / PLA+ variants | 0 – 15 | 0 |
| pigment / masterbatchcoloured filament | 0 – 4 | 2 |
| poly(L-lactide) (PLLA)backbone from fermented plant starch (corn/sugarcane) | ≥ 88 (balance) | — |
PLA METAL — frequently asked
What is PLA METAL used for?
PLA METAL is typically used for concept models, quick visual prototypes, form and fit-check parts, architectural and display models, low-temperature assembly jigs and master patterns for silicone moulds. In short: easy printable bioplastic.
What is the yield strength of PLA METAL?
PLA METAL has a typical yield strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) and a tensile strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) — weaker than 57% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 14 listed tempers.
Is PLA METAL easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 81% of polymer grades). Machines easily with sharp single-flute cutters, high rpm and low feed, but heat build-up melts and re-welds chips — use air blast, avoid coolant with hot water, and expect brittle edge chipping when drilling.
Can PLA METAL be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Hot-plate, ultrasonic and friction welding all work below ~200 °C; solvent bonding with dichloromethane or ethyl acetate gives strong joints, and cyanoacrylate/epoxy adhere well after light sanding.
What surface finishes work on PLA METAL?
Sand wet with 400–2000 grit, then polish or spray with acrylic/2K primer; acetone smoothing does not work (use ethyl-acetate wipe or UV/epoxy coat), and painting after a light key gives the most durable finish.
Can PLA METAL be formed, bent or molded?
Prints at 190–220 °C nozzle / 50–60 °C bed with almost no warp and no enclosure needed; injection moulds at 185–215 °C into a 20–30 °C mould with 0.2–0.6 % shrinkage — dry pellets/filament to <250 ppm to prevent hydrolytic MW loss.
What is the maximum service temperature of PLA METAL?
PLA METAL is rated for continuous use to about 50°C (122 °F), and briefly to 65°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between PLA Standard and PLA-IM?
Standard is the default condition — default choice for visual prototypes, jigs and packaging where cost, print ease and dimensional accuracy matter more than toughness or heat resistance. IM: pellet grades (e.g. Ingeo 2003D/3251D class) for moulded rigid packaging and cutlery — highest as-moulded strength but the same 55 °C HDT ceiling. Yield strength is 48 MPa in Standard versus 58 MPa in IM.
Can FabDigit make parts in PLA METAL?
Yes — PLA METAL is available for 3D printing with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Ingeo Biopolymer 4043D / 3D850 / 2003D Technical Data Sheets — NatureWorks LLC (2023)
- Luminy PLA Grade Portfolio (L105, LX175, PLA+ blends) — TotalEnergies Corbion (2023)
- ISO 527-2 / ISO 178 / ISO 75-2 plastics test methods — ISO (2019)
- ASTM D638 / D256 / D648 / D792 — ASTM International (2022)
- CAMPUS Plastics — PLA datasets — CWFG / CAMPUS consortium (2024)
- Materials and the Environment / CES eco-property data for PLA — Ashby (Butterworth-Heinemann) (2021)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.