Someone Tested Tangled Filament
- Tangled
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
So we had a customer Reach out about Tangled. We'll just share his email and his data here for you.
Not to shortcut it. But Tangled was pretty darn good.
"Overall, the Tangled Filament black performed exceptionally well, surpassing the test values that you reported in the YouTube presentation, in both orientations."
BTW. Don't Worry Michael. AMS compatible Spools and refined winding is already in progress. Winding was refined about 3 weeks ago. And AMS compatibility is coming this winter. (But even without that. Let's admit it. It was $10 per spool and it wasn't on Sale, ;)
My name is Michael. I have been enjoying your YouTube content for some time now and have recently taken interest in your Tangled Testing channel. I am a development engineer with a materials testing background and can appreciate your desire to quantify the performance of your product.
I was so inspired by your testing videos related to tensile testing that I decided to purchase some of your filament given the strength/performance benefits that you displayed of the "virgin" PLA (with only pigment added). Order number #13126.
I have access to industrial tensile testing equipment (MTS Criterion C43.104) and was able to verify the results that you collected and presented on the "Which Black PLA Makes the Best Print? 3D printer filament Strength Testing."
I was able to test/compare Tangled Filament black PLA and Inland PLA Pro black (Microcenter branded) filament.
Sample Prep:
ASTM D638 type 1 dog-bone samples were prepared using a Bambu Labs P1S (2024 model) and samples were printed in both "horizontal" and "vertical" orientations.
Print settings for the Tangled Filament black PLA:
Bambu Labs Slicer Generic PLA settings, modified as such:
Nozzle Temp: 230C
Layer Height: 0.2mm
Line Width (all): 0.5mm
Wall Loops: 2
Top/Bottom Shell Layers: 4
Top/Bottom Shell Pattern: Monotonic
Infill: 100%
Infill Pattern: Rectilinear (45°)
Part Cooling Fan: 50%
Auxiliary Chamber Fan: 50%
See "Print Plate.png" file for print orientation
Testing Parameters:
MTS Model 609 Grip alignment fixture utilized
MTS Model 645 Pneumatic Wedge Grips
MTS 5kN load cell
Test speed: 2in/min
Sample Width: 4.03mm avg.
Sample Thickness: 12.9mm avg.
Gage Length: 57mm (per ASTM D638 type 1 specimen)
Strain % calculated based upon crosshead position (no extensometer used)
I was almost out of the Inland PLA Pro so was only able to test ASTM D638 type 1 dog-bones prepared in the "vertical" orientation. Additionally, the Inland PLA Pro was printed at 220C and 100% fan settings (and layer adhesion suffered as can be seen in the failure-mode photos.) However, the data is still valid and interesting.
Please see the attached Summary results screenshot and failure mode photos.
Overall, the Tangled Filament black performed exceptionally well, surpassing the test values that you reported in the YouTube presentation, in both orientations.
From a materials development and industrial part design standpoint, the increased strength properties of the virgin PLA filament that Tangled creates is a welcome option for designers.
However, as a consumer, I admit I was left a bit underwhelmed with the winding-quality and molded-plastic spool quality... While I appreciate receiving >1kg of filament on a spool, I was unable to use the Tangled Filament spool on the Bambu Labs AMS1 due to the excess filament (and uneven winding) as well as the uneven spool halves. Given the rock-bottom cost and high-quality of the filament, these failings are mostly excusable, but definitely something to consider. (The spool worked perfectly well on the P1S external spool holder, so all was good in the end.)
I hope that you find this data useful. Happy to discuss the results further if you are interested. There is nothing proprietary here, so please feel free to use any of the data or photos in any way that you wish. Very pleased to be able to verify a good result and feel confident in a product with a known origin at a better than competitive price.
Cheers,
Michael