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Bambu Lab PLA Metal Filament vs Protopasta High Density Stainless Steel HTPLA

Buy the Bambu Lab PLA Metal for easy, fast printing with a convincing metallic look straight off the spool. Buy the Protopasta Stainless Steel HTPLA when you want real metal behavior: it is ferromagnetic, takes sanding and polishing, and gains heat resistance after annealing. The Bambu is the safer everyday choice on standard hardware; the Protopasta is the specialist pick for magnets, props and parts that see heat.

  • Choose the Bambu Lab PLA Metal if you want a metallic finish on a normal printer at normal speeds without drying, annealing or hardened nozzle worries.
  • Choose the Protopasta Stainless Steel HTPLA if you need magnetic prints, a polishable real-metal surface or heat resistance after annealing.

Prices

  • Bambu Lab PLA Metal Filament: $24.99 at 3D Universe (last seen Nov 13)
  • Protopasta High Density Stainless Steel HTPLA: $12.00 at Protoplant, makers of Protopasta (last seen Nov 13)
  • Difference: the Protopasta High Density Stainless Steel HTPLA is $12.99 cheaper than the Bambu Lab PLA Metal Filament at the latest prices (Nov 13)
P
PLA Metal

Bambu Lab PLA Metal Filament

PLA Metal

5(3 ratings)
$24.99at 3D UniverseChecked Nov 13
See all prices and details
Visit 3D Universe
Pros
  • Prints at regular PLA settings and speeds up to 200 mm/s
  • No abrasive filler, so standard brass nozzles are fine
  • RoHS, EN71 and REACH compliant
  • 1 kg spool covers large prints
  • Consistent metallic sheen with little tuning
Cons
  • Not actually metal-filled, so no magnetic or heat benefits
  • Softens at typical PLA temperatures
  • One color per spool
H
High Density Stainless Steel-filled HTPLA

Protopasta High Density Stainless Steel HTPLA

High Density Stainless Steel-filled HTPLA

4.6(8 ratings)
$12.00at Protoplant, makers of ProtopastaChecked Nov 13
See all prices and details
Visit Protoplant, makers of Protopasta
Pros
  • Highest metal load of the two at 70wt%
  • Strongly magnetic prints
  • Takes sanding and polishing to a real metal finish
  • Heat treating raises temperature resistance about 3x
  • Owners report strong layer adhesion and little stringing
Cons
  • Abrasive powder wears standard nozzles
  • Small 100 g coil limits large projects
  • Needs annealing for best strength and heat performance
  • Retraction needs tuning to avoid blobs

What separates them

Bambu Lab PLA Metal FilamentProtopasta High Density Stainless Steel HTPLA
Metal contentMetallic pigment and texture only; no actual metal filler70wt% 400-series stainless steel powder
MagneticNot magneticFerromagnetic; prints attract magnets
Heat resistanceStandard PLA behavior; softens in a hot carAbout 3x PLA heat resistance after heat treating
Printing easePrints like regular PLA at up to 200 mm/sAbrasive; wants a hardened nozzle and slower, tuned retraction
Finish optionsIridium Gold metallic look as printedMatte cast-metal as printed; can be brushed, sanded or polished
Spool size1 kg spool100 g coil
Post-processingLittle to do beyond support removalAnnealing needed for full strength and heat resistance
ComplianceRoHS, EN71 and REACH compliantNot stated

Price history

  • Bambu Lab PLA Metal Filament: lowest $24.99 on Nov 13 at Best Buy.

Prices at every store

Bambu Lab PLA Metal Filament

  • 3D UniverseNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $24.99Checked Nov 13
    Visit 3D Universe
  • fbrc8 llcNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $24.99Checked Nov 13
    Visit fbrc8 llc
  • HartSmart ProductsNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $24.99Checked Nov 13
    Visit HartSmart Products
  • Best BuyNew

    In stock

    $24.99+ $6.99 shippingChecked Nov 13
    Visit Best Buy
All 7 stores and price history →

Protopasta High Density Stainless Steel HTPLA

  • Protoplant, makers of ProtopastaNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $12.00Checked Nov 13
    Visit Protoplant, makers of Protopasta
Prices and history →

Specs compared

SpecBambu Lab PLA Metal FilamentProtopasta High Density Stainless Steel HTPLA
Filament Diameter1.75mm1.75mm
TypeFilament—
Printing Material TypeMetal—
Filament TypePLA—
Filament ColorMetal Iron—
Filament Multipack Quantity1—
Weight1 KG—
Printing Speed< 200 mm/s—
Safety FeaturesRoHS compliant, EN71 compliant, REACH compliant—
Typical UsersUnisex, Adults—
BrandBambu Lab—
Model NumberPLA - GOLD METALLIC—
Show all 24 specsShow fewer specs
SpecBambu Lab PLA Metal FilamentProtopasta High Density Stainless Steel HTPLA
ColorIridium Gold Metallic—
MaterialPolylactic Acid (PLA)—
Minimum Recommended Printing Temperature410 degrees fahrenheit—
Maximum Recommended Printing Temperature464 degrees fahrenheit—
CompatibilityAll—
Model CompatibilityAll—
Brand CompatibilityNot provided—
material composition—70wt% 400-series stainless steel
magnetic properties—

What reviewers say

Protopasta High Density Stainless Steel HTPLA

Buyers call it strongly magnetic and easy to print, with good layer adhesion and a finish that polishes well. Complaints center on stringing that needs retraction tuning and the cost of a full spool.

What people mention
  • MagnetismPraisedOwners say prints hold magnets strongly thanks to the 400-series steel fill.
  • Print qualityPraisedBuyers report clean first prints on multiple machines with strong layer adhesion.
  • StringingMixedSome saw minor string blobs and had to tune retraction to clear them.
  • FinishPraisedThe matte cast-metal look polishes up beautifully into a real metal finish.

Questions and answers

Which is better for printing magnets or magnetic parts?
The Protopasta Stainless Steel HTPLA. Its 400-series steel fill makes prints ferromagnetic, so magnets stick. The Bambu PLA Metal has no metal filler and is not magnetic.
Can I print the steel-filled filament on a stock printer?
It prints on most FDM machines, but the steel powder is abrasive. Fit a hardened steel nozzle and slow down. The Bambu PLA Metal runs on standard brass nozzles at normal PLA speeds.
Which handles heat better?
The Protopasta after heat treating, at roughly 3x the temperature resistance of PLA-based metal filaments. Untreated, both behave close to regular PLA and will sag in a hot car.
Which gives a more realistic metal look?
The Protopasta, because you can sand and polish the steel-filled surface to a real metal finish. The Bambu gives a convincing metallic sheen straight off the printer with no finishing.
Is the steel-filled version worth stepping up to?
Yes if you need magnetism, polishing or heat resistance and can accept a hardened nozzle and annealing. Otherwise the Bambu is simpler and gives you a full kilo of easy-printing filament.
Which is better for large prints?
The Bambu PLA Metal, sold on a 1 kg spool. The Protopasta comes as a 100 g coil, fine for small parts and tests but short for big models.

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ferromagnetic
spool weight—100g Coil
finish type—matte, cast-metal finish
temperature resistance—3x the temperature resistance (when heat treate…