Metal-filled filaments are made by mixing a fine metal powder into a base material, providing a unique metallic finish and added weight. Metal-filled filaments contain very fine metal powder such as Copper, Bronze, Brass, and Stainless Steel. The percentage of metal powder infused in each filament can vary depending on the manufacturer. The presence of this metal powder makes the filament much heavier than standard plastics. This means that the parts printed with metal-filled PLA will weigh significantly more than ones from the standard PLA, despite using the same settings and consuming the same amount of material. Metal-filled filaments also tend to be very abrasive as they are extruded through the hot end. A standard brass nozzle will be too soft and will quickly wear down. Be sure to upgrade to a wear-resistant nozzle in order to print this filament effectively. There are other metal-like filaments in the market that may just have metallic coloring added to the filament. These filaments do not contain any actual metal powder, so they do not share many of the same benefits as the true metallic filaments. This article will focus on materials that contain actual metal powders for a realistic metallic weight and feel.