Has anyone tried mixing PLA with 3M microspheres, (other microspheres are available).

Microspheres are sold as a lightweight filler material for use with glassfibre and plastics. They range from about 10 to 100microns in diametre and the smaller sizes can be used in injection molding. They seem to be away of adding both strength and lightness.

It occures to me that microspheres might be added to the molten plastic mix in the extruder head at the time of printing. Thus giving a lighter structure.

Here's a link to a 3M microspheres description.
3m Microspheres

They can be found on ebay and sometimes in hobby shops.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/22/2012 11:06AM by TerryKidd.