PLA Composites

PLA Composites

PLA composite filaments include the various PLA filaments filled with powder or fibre, hence the name composites. The use of PLA as a base for these composite filaments ensures ease of use. These PLA Composites include the addition of wood, flax, metal or carbon powders or fibres, etc. The advantage of these composite 3D printing filaments is that they provide a texture, a rendering and an appearance that are very different from standard plastics. PLA wood, for example, will simulate the colour of wood thanks to these additions, but this material will also benefit from the reinforcement of the fibres. Unlike metallic fillers, which are more likely to weaken the final result, but reveal a pleasantly unsettling sheen and weight after sanding.

Incorporating these composite powders into your filament spools also has the ability to greatly reduce the layer effect inherent in printer technology FDM.

Choosing these PLA composites requires a few hardware and software adjustments. We recommend a nozzle diameter greater than 0.5 mm to limit the risk of clogging smaller nozzles. And in the case of metal in particular, the use of a reinforced steel-type nozzle. On the other hand, going for a layer thickness of less than 0.2 is also more risky.

Regardless of these few recommendations, these filaments are accessible to everyone, do not require a specific printer but are, on the contrary, very easy to access. To give your models, decorations or everyday objects that extra something, don't hesitate to let yourself be tempted by these beautiful-looking filaments.

PLA Wood, PLA Linen, what's the difference?

Two natural fibres for two very different purposes. The PLA flax version from the manufacturer Nanovia focuses more on the mechanical and medical performance of the composite, whereas the PLA wood filament versions place little emphasis on these subjects but more on their visual contribution.

Why choose PLA composite or filled filament?

For the unique appearance offered by the combination of this bioplastic and the addition of these powders. The look of your 3d prints will no longer be so "plastic" with these modern-looking composite versions.