FAQ

Filamet™ is compatible with nearly all FFF/FDM based 3D printers on the market. Switch out the nozzle for a 0.6mm hardened steel nozzle and get printing! The list of printers that have been used and the ones that are not compatible can be found on our trusted printers list.

They are quite a bit stronger than you may expect. You can throw them around a little and handle them just fine. Generally, they will not handle load nearly as well as the base PLA would on its own.

Unlike other bound-metal systems that require hazardous chemical baths, Filamet™ uses a purely thermal debinding process. You place the printed "green" part into a kiln (like the FireX) packed with refractory ballast in a crucible. As the kiln heats up, the plastic binder cleanly burns away. The kiln then reaches the specific sintering temperature of the metal (e.g., ~885°C–1232°C for stainless steel), fusing the metal particles into a pure metal part. See our debinding and sintering instructions.

Because the plastic binder is removed, parts will shrink as they densify into solid metal. As a general rule, expect an isostatic shrink rate of approximately 5–7% for Copper and Bronze, and 10–12% for Stainless Steels. You account for this by scaling your 3D model up in your slicer software prior to printing.

Using the instructions we provide, you can expect around 90–95% density. Instructions for sintering are on our debinding and sintering page.

Traditional metal 3D printing systems cost upwards of $100,000, require proprietary hardware, and rely on multi-stage chemical debinding. The Virtual Foundry drastically lowers the barrier to entry by allowing you to use existing FDM 3D printers and a single-step thermal debinding process. Our system requires zero chemical solvents, making it safer and significantly more affordable for labs, classrooms, and studios.

A part that has just been debound does not have structural integrity. Copper parts specifically can be handled gently, but you must be careful.

If you are looking to polish up a part without going through debinding and sintering, you can sand the part with progressively finer sand paper from 120 to 3000 grit. Then polish with a polishing cloth. For a mirror shine, use a cotton buffing wheel and some Zam polishing compound. More instructions are on our finishing page.

Filamet™ materials are less hygroscopic than traditional PLA. While it won’t hurt them to be wrapped with a desiccant packet inside, it shouldn’t be necessary. You will want to avoid any direct heat like from a heat vent or direct sunlight. You would also want to avoid high levels of humidity like in a room that’s not climate-controlled in the summer. Other than that, the material should last a long time for you.

We use the Archimedes method to determine filament density.

While in its printable spool form, Filamet™ has a PLA binder and it is not conductive. Through sintering, the PLA binder is burned off and the remaining object has the same conductive properties of whatever metal it is.