Materials /Carbon-fibre composite
Carbon fibre 3D printing
Adding chopped carbon fibre to an engineering plastic makes it much stiffer and more dimensionally stable without making it heavier. Our reference composite is PA-CF (carbon-fibre nylon), with a heat deflection temperature of 215 °C: the highest figure in our catalogue. It is the material for tooling, fixtures and machine brackets that must be stiff and light at the same time.
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At a glance
| Heat resistance (HDT, PA-CF) | 215 °C |
|---|---|
| Stiffness | High — the highest in our catalogue alongside PC-CF |
| Material density | Similar to the base material: stiffness without bulk |
| Dimensional stability | Very good; less deformation than unfilled nylon |
| Finish | Matte, with a characteristic texture; not an aesthetic material |
Heat deflection temperature (HDT, ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa) from the data sheet of the filament we use. Real part behaviour depends on geometry, orientation and print settings.
When to choose carbon fibre
- —Production tooling: jigs, grippers, locators that must hold their shape.
- —Fixtures and machine brackets under load.
- —Parts that must be stiff and lightweight at once.
- —Replacing an aluminium machining job where the load allows it.
- —Parts where ordinary nylon falls short on stiffness.
When NOT to use carbon fibre
- —Decorative parts or anything needing a good surface finish.
- —Parts that need to flex without breaking: fibre reduces toughness versus the base material.
- —Quick prototypes where you only want to validate shape: it is the most expensive material.
- —Parts with very fine detail: fibre limits the achievable definition.
To validate shape, PLA. For parts that flex, unfilled nylon or PETG. For an aesthetic finish, PLA or PVB.
What carbon fibre actually adds
Fibre does not turn plastic into metal: what it does is greatly increase stiffness, meaning how much the part deflects under a given load. A pure nylon jig can give by a few millimetres when you clamp it; the same jig in PA-CF holds. That is why it is used for tooling: a part that deflects under load stops locating correctly, and then it no longer does the job it was made for.
Stiff and light at the same time
The composite's edge is that it gains stiffness with barely any gain in density: the part is as manageable as an ordinary nylon one but behaves like something far more solid. For tooling an operator picks up and puts down a hundred times a day, or for brackets mounted on a moving machine, that combination is exactly what you are after.
What it will cost you
It is the top step of our catalogue: the material costs more and the process demands more tuning and components suited to an abrasive filament. On small tooling parts it often still lands on the €20 + VAT minimum order; on large parts the difference against PLA is noticeable. Upload your file and use the comparator to see the exact jump on your part before deciding.
Frequently asked questions
Is a carbon-fibre printed part as strong as metal?
No. It is far stiffer and more stable than the same plastic without fibre, and for many tooling applications it replaces a light machining job, but it does not match a metal part at high loads. If your application is critical, tell us about it when requesting a quote before ordering.
How much heat can PA-CF take?
Its heat deflection temperature is 215 °C (HDT, ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa, from the filament manufacturer's data sheet), the highest of the materials we quote. For reference: PLA 60 °C, PETG 78 °C, unfilled nylon 111 °C.
What is the difference between PA-CF, PETG-CF and PC-CF?
The base plastic changes. PETG-CF is the most affordable and easiest, with added stiffness and a matte finish. PA-CF (nylon) combines stiffness with toughness and wear resistance. PC-CF (polycarbonate) has the highest stiffness and thermal stability for demanding tooling. You can compare all three on your own part in the quote tool.
Is the carbon fibre visible on the part surface?
Yes. It gives a matte finish with a characteristic texture that many people like, but it is not a material meant for aesthetic or display parts: you choose it for what it does, not how it looks.
Shall we print your part in this material?
Upload the file, pick the material and see the estimated price instantly. We confirm the final price within 24 h, with no commitment, and ship within 72 h of payment.
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