Carbon Fiber Reinforced Filaments

Properties

• Durable
• Stiff
• Adds stiffness to whichever base polymer is used

Description

For those seeking tougher 3D printing materials, carbon fiber filament presents a relatively easy alternative to the more expensive and demanding materials, such as polycarbonate (PC) or PEEK. These filaments combine the lightweight properties of PLA, ABS, etc. with the strength and stiffness of carbon fiber, making them suitable for structural parts.

They’re often called chopped carbon fiber filaments and the higher the percentage of carbon fiber in the filament, arguably, the better the reinforcement. The most common amount is 20% carbon fiber.

Material Sources

PLA-CF:

• ABC3D

ABS-CF:

• PS Imports Special Series Carbon Fiber ABS from PrintedSolid
• Treed Filaments ABS CF

PETG-CF:

• ABC3D

Polycarbonate Carbon Fiber (PCCF):

• Prusament PCCF $59 / spool

Carbon Fiber Nylon: A tough material with a nice matte finish. Requires high extruder temperature (235-285° C). Heated bed and heated chamber can help but the Markforged does very well without it, so long as you use glue for bed adhesion.

• Onyx for the Markforged X7
• Obsidian - an Onyx alternative for Markforged X7
• NylonX from MatterHackers, ~$116/kg
• Fillamentum Nylon CF15 Carbon from MatterHackers, 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm diameters, ~$107/kg

Applications

• structural or mechanical parts