Turn PLA Prints Into Real Cast Iron With This Kitchen Hack

Consumer-grade 3D printing is great for prototyping and making plastic parts, but when you need something truly tough, metal is hard to beat. Now a maker has developed an accessible method to produce solid cast iron parts from ordinary 3D prints using nothing more than a standard microwave.

From PLA to Cast Iron

The process, demonstrated by Shake the Future, uses a 3D printed object as a pattern for traditional lost-PLA casting. The print is embedded in iron filings, then heated in a microwave to sinter the iron powder into a solid cast iron piece.

Why This Matters

Traditional metal 3D printing (SLM/DMLS) costs tens of thousands of dollars. This approach brings metal part production within reach of anyone with a 200 dollar printer and a microwave.

The Process

1. Print your pattern in PLA on any standard FDM printer
2. Prepare the mold by embedding the print in iron filings in a crucible
3. Burn out the PLA using a furnace or torch
4. Microwave sinter the iron filings to fuse into solid cast iron