Very stiff but this filament is for experts
You've got to know what you're doing with this filament and it's a more difficult setup than either PETG or ABS. However once you get it dialled in its incredible stuff. First warning. This filament will EAT your nozzle. Whatever material has been added to give it a higher modulus and matte finish is also highly abrasive. I printed just 600g's worth and it increased my brass nozzle aperture from 0.4 to 0.9mm in that time. USE A STEEL NOZZLE!!!
This strength of this filament (not so much stiffness) is very sensitive to print temperature .Make sure your nozzle temps are well calibrated and cooling is the lowest it can possibly be that avoids excessive stringing. For me that was 15-40%. I found the strength was optimal around 220C. However the neatest print was at 212C@40% fan.
Measured flexural modulus was 4900Mpa which is higher than the spec and approaching CF-blends with a 0.6mm nozzle 0.4mm layer height, 218C. [Test piece was an 8mmx8mmx150mm bar, loaded 50N in the centre.]
The finish on the part is very neat, smooth and very matte in appearance, perfect for my telescope parts.
As noted in other reviews build plate adhesion is higher than normal. Do not remove the part until fully cooled and only with a sharp rapp to the part. Do not try to prise off the build plate.
Beginners, stay well clear of this filament. expert users; it's one of the best i've used.
Marco Miglionico | Edinburgh | March 2021
Update to my previous review
Update: I also just had to use chloroform to unblock my nozzle, after printing 2.38 grams. I have 900 grams of this filament left if anyone wants any? It's useless.
I am using a micro-swiss all-metal hotend and coated nozzle, with dual thermocouples, and I have zero problems printing hard stuff like carbon, Nylon and TPU. PLA was supposed to be easy. Not if you choose this one.
David Rawlinson | York | November 2020
Looks Okay - but carbon PLA looks 500% better even if it is abrasive. Also, RIP build plate.
I was hoping this would be as good as carbon-reinforced PLA, in terms of appearance and printability. I was wrong.
Firstly it does not behave like PLA, the stringiness and oozing properties are difficult to manage. OK, so these can be adjusted for. Then comes the adhesion to the print bed. It's so unmanageably sticky that I broke my glass print bed removing the first prints I ever did. Note that I've printed with PLA, ABS, carbon, PETG, flexibles, conductives, wood and Nylon on this print bed, hotend and nozzle with no problems - then come along this matt "PLA" and I've had some of the worst prints for years. I'd recommend you dont buy. If you want that carbon look, buy a couple of good quality hardened nozzles and use carbon - or if you plan to do a lot, buy a ruby nozzle and you'll be good for a LOT of abrasive printing.
David | York | November 2020
Decent filament for the cost
As the title says, it's good filament for how much it is - it seemed to overextrude but this is more of my default ptofiles problem than the PLA itself. Small tweaks to the flow should fix this.
Matte black effect is really nice, and seems to hide layer lines pretty well at 0.2mm. The roll itself comes on a cardboard spool, which I appreciate more than having tons of plastic ones as these are easier to break down and recycle. The plastic did seem quite brittle, but as long as you have a filament guide this should negate any snapping. One thing worth noting is that the print temperatures on the box didn't really match up what I needed to print at. Box recommends 205-225 but found that 195-200 works perfectly.
Overall reasonably happy with it. Would recommend. Printing on an Ender-3.
Thomas Algar | London | November 2020
Looks fantastic but poor layer bonding
I was very impressed with the visual quality of prints using this filament, layer lines are nearly invisible and the matte effect looks fantastic. Unfortunately the layer bonding is pretty weak and and it will break along the layer lines under a very small load compared with regular PLA. I am currently experimenting with it to see if I can improve its strength and will update if I am successful, as it stands I will not be able to use it for its intended purpose. It will be great for models if you are careful with the small parts.
John Stowe | Nottingham | November 2020
