

Inconel 718 Filamet™ pellets are small cylinders composed of PLA with Inconel 718 metal filler. These pellets are composed of 86% metal and the rest of PLA.
PLA (polylactic acid) is a biodegradable plastic obtained from natural resources such as starch extracted from corn, sugar beet and wheat. PLA is one of the most widely used materials in 3D printing today because it does not give off harmful gases and is easy to print.
Inconel is the recognised brand name for nickel-chromium based superalloys. These alloys are characterised by their high corrosion resistance, capable of working under the most extreme conditions. This is due to the fact that, when heated, a thin oxide layer is formed that passivates the surface and protects it from chemical attack, while improving its surface hardness. In addition to its extraordinary resistance to corrosion, it has excellent resistance to high temperatures and can be used in conditions where other metals such as aluminium or steel would suffer creep.
In addition to the intrinsic properties of Inconel 718, Inconel 718 Filamet™ pellets from The Virtual Foundry (TVF) are perfect for 3D printing, achieving high print quality, and stand out from other metal-filled materials by allowing the user to obtain all-metal parts after a sintering process.
During the sintering process the PLA is removed, resulting in all-metal parts with real metal properties, but with some porosity and a reduction in volume due to the loss of PLA.
Inconel 718 Filamet™ pellets are free of exposed metal particles and volatile solvents that can be released during the 3D printing process, making it a safe material for 3D printing. In addition, due to their PLA content, they are very easy to process. There are several methods for using pellets in 3D printing:
When using inconel 718 Filamet™ pellets to produce filament with a filament extruder such as Filastruder or using a pellet extruder for direct 3D printing, it should be noted that the extrusion temperature must be regulated in relation to the extrusion speed used. For optimal results, it is recommended to read the product's usage tips.
General information |
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Material | Metal + binder |
Format | 1 kg |
Density | 4.5 g/cm³ |
Amount of filler (volume) | 66 % |
Amount of filler (mass) | 86 % |
Thermal properties |
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Melting temperature | - ºC |
Softening temperature | - ºC |
Processing temperature | 225 ºC |
MFR Ratio | - |
Glass transition temperature | - ºC |
Heat deflexion temperature | - ºC |
Sintering properties |
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Container | Refractory crucible |
Refractory powder | Al2O3 |
Maximum temperature | 1260 ºC |
Specific properties |
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Transparency | - |
Radiation protection (without sintering) | ✗ |
Other |
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HS Code | 7406.1 |
Due to the high amount of metal particles, clogging may occur in nozzles with a diameter of 0.4 mm, so it is recommended to use nozzles with an outlet diameter of more than 0.5 mm.
As far as infill, the average recommended amount is 30-70 % but it largely depends on what kind of part the user wants to obtain and whether the part will be sintered or not. For more indepth information please watch this video:
It is very important to store inconel 718 Filamet™ pellets in an airtight bag to prevent them from absorbing moisture from the environment before use. If the pellets have moisture in them, the filament to be manufactured may contain small imperfections.
Once the filament has been manufactured using inconel 718 Filamet™ pellets, it is also recommended to store the filament in a dry place or in an airtight bag. This prevents the filament from absorbing moisture, thus obtaining better results during 3D printing.
Whether using a filament extruder such as Filastruder or a direct pellet extruder, parts 3D printed with inconel 718 Filamet™ pellets must undergo a sintering process to achieve all-metal parts.s:
Necessary materials:
STEP 1: Placing the piece
STEP 2: Thermal debind
STEP 3: Sintering
STEP 4: Cooling
Users who do not have a furnace with the necessary properties to sinter parts printed with Pellets inconel 718 Filamet™ and achieve the final properties of this metal, can contact us and we will assess their viability through our collaborators with the capacity to perform the necessary post-processing to obtain the desired final result.