Having a 3D printer without filament is sort of like having a regular printer without paper or ink. And while a lot of printers come with some filament there's a good chance you've been printing up a storm and need something new. That's why we've started carrying a complete line of 3D printing filament in a variety of colors!
This PLA/PHA copperFill blend 1.75mm 750g spool from colorFabb is a great material for 3D printers. This amazing one of a kind filament will allow you to print with actual copper at home! Straight from the printer parts look almost laser sintered with a matte finish but with a bit of sanding and polishing the bronze particles will start to shine and shimmer unlike any 3D printing filament you have seen before. The weight of the material is something special, about 3x heavier then regular PLA filament.
Use coarse steel wool to polish the surface of the print. You can apply quite a bit of pressure but don’t polish a specific spot for too long, it’ll get hot and softens the material. The print should now look already quite shiny and exposed surfaces should be looking shimmer and be smooth without visible print lines. Next, apply a thin coat of black spray paint and immediately use a white cloth to wipe it off. Hard to reach places will stay slightly tainted black which enhances the contrast. Lastly use a copper polish which helps get to get the extra shine you would expect from a metal and also helps creating an interesting patina over time.
This filament has been tested successfully on a wide variety of printers, working well on both heated and non-heated build platforms. For those users printing on a cold build platform colorFabb advises applying blue painter's tape to the build area. For heated build platforms colorFabb used a temperature of 55-60°C which will keep the print sticking to the platform. It can be printed straight on glass or with a bit of gluestick applied to it. They've also printed it succesfully on kapton tape with the same temperature settings. Testing showed reliable results using the all metal hot-ends, such as the E3D and the Makerbot Replicator 2 hotend. Hotends which use a teflon isolator coupler can generate adhesion to the copper filament possibly leading to clogs and is there for not recommended for novice users yet.
It's always a good idea to check what diameter and filament type your printers can handle before purchasing!
For more information on this specific filament check out colorFabb's website! And check out colorFabb's great learn system.
