Carbon fiber 3D Printing is one of the most popular ways to make durable and tough parts with your desktop 3D printer. In this article, you can check out the best carbon fiber filaments with multiple material bases. Happy making!

Part 1. What is carbon fiber 3D Printing?

 

Before getting into the topic, let’s clarify what is carbon fiber 3D Printing exactly. Carbon fiber filaments are composite materials that infuse tiny carbon fiber to another polymer base materials, including nylon, PLA, PETG, ABS, etc. For example, if nylon materials that mix with tiny fibers, we call them carbon fiber nylon filaments. For consumer or desktop 3D printers, it is impossible to print straight carbon fiber because of the high melting point. While carbon fiber filaments contain short particles of fibers, which is only around 0.01mm in diameter. Carbon fiber filaments with the attributes of continuous fiber strands enhance material performance and mechanical properties, making it a feasible and suitable material to be printed by consumer 3D printers.

 

Besides, there are reasons that you might want to use carbon fiber filaments to create your 3D objects, let’s check it out.

 

Image Source: Prusament

 

Part 2. Why choose carbon fiber filaments?

 

By adding the tiny fibers, it can improve the quality of the base materials. Generally, carbon fiber filaments are stronger than standard materials such as PLA, PETG, and nylon, since carbon fiber is a remarkably strong material that brings higher stiffness and rigidity to the filaments. If your parts require light-weight design, carbon fiber filaments can achieve this instead of scarifying stiffness.

 

One of the biggest issues when printing thermal polymers is that the surface finish of the product might be granular. But carbon fiber filament wouldn’t let this happen. It can generate a flawless and high-quality matte surface finish. Besides, contraction is another common challenge during printing process as the melted material will be bonded with the previous-cooled layer of material together. The particles of carbon fiber filaments do not tend to contract, which ensures the dimensional stability and accuracy of your final parts.

 

If you are looking for durable and reliable materials to 3D print mechanical and assembly parts, carbon fiber filaments can be the alternatives and they won’t let you down.

 

Image Source: Proto3000

 

Part 3. Carbon Fiber Filaments Pro and Cons

 

Take a look at the benefits and disadvantages of using carbo fiber filaments, which may help you make a decision whether use the material or not:

 

Pros	Cons
1. Improved mechanical properties 2. High rigidity and strength 3. Good dimensional accuracy 4. High stability 5. Good surface finish 6. Lightweight	1. Special nozzle is needed to prevent from wear. 2. Materials might be clogged at the nozzle. 3. Increase brittleness 4. Relatively more expensive than the base material.

 

Part 4. The Best Carbon Fiber Filament Brands of 2023                 

 

1. MatterHackers NylonX

 

MatterHackers always deliver high-quality 3D Printing materials to consumers and hobbyists, amongst MatterHackers NylonX Series is made for 3d printed parts that require strength, durability, and wear resistance. NylonX carbon fiber filament is blended with about 20% carbon fiber with nylon base, making it an ideal solution to make mechanical parts. By increasing the rigidity and stiffness to the material, printing with NylonX is less likely to warp than standard nylon materials. If you are looking for engineering grade nylon filament and don’t know what to choose, try NylonX to print parts that may equal to CNC plastic parts.

 

Specifications:

Nominal Diameter: 1.75mm/ 2.85mm ± 0.02mm

Print temperature: 250-265°C

Print speed: 25mm/s - 35mm/s

Bed temperature: 60-65°C for Garolite, 80°C for Glass with glue stick

Spool Dimensions: 7.88" OD x 2.12" ID x 2" Height

Nozzle: Stainless Steel, Olsson Ruby, or other hardened nozzle types

Price for reference: ~$58 for 0.5kg 1.75mm filament

 

Image Source: MatterHackers

 

2. Fillamentum Nylon CF15 Carbon

 

Fillamentum Nylon CF15 Carbon is based with PA12 nylon and blended with 15% carbon fibers. Featuring great chemical and wear resistance, high strength, and great dimensional stability, the material offers good adhesion as well. Mechanical parts such as bearings, cogwheels, reinforcement parts are high suitable applications. Besides, Nylon CF15 Carbon is capable of using for insulation as it is a material that is safe to use in electrical and electronic equipment. Nice and smooth surface finish will be displayed on your final parts exactly.

 

Specifications:

Working temperature: 235–260 °C

Heated bed:  80–110 °C

Diameter: 1.75 mm and 2.85 mm

Diameter tolerance: +/- 0.10 mm

Weight: 600 g of filament (+ 230 g spool)

The length of the filament: 243 m (1.75 mm, 600 g)/ 94 m (2.85 mm, 600 g)

Price for reference: ~€52.9 for 0.6kg 1.75mm filament

 

Image Source: Fillamentum

 

3. eSun ePA-CF

 

Colorful is the iconic symbol of eSun, and this 3D Printing material company delivers high quality carbon fiber filament. eSun ePA-CF is a carbon fiber filament that contains 75% nylon coupled with 25% carbon fiber. Printing accuracy parts with stable structure is what it can be capable of. Final part that is printed by ePA-CF has high toughness, wear resistance, and high strength. The material supplier says that end-user can print ePA-CF constantly without clogging. However, it offer one size which is 1.75mm diameter only.

 

Specifications:

Working temperature: 260–290 °C

Base plate temperature: 45–60 °C

Diameter: 1.75 mm

Price for reference: ~€52.99 for 1kg 1.75mm filament

 

Image Source: eSun

 

4. 3DXTECH CarbonX Nylon 6+Cf Gen 3

 

3DXTECH CarbonX PA6+CF is formulated using nylon PA6 and reinforced with high modulus carbon fiber. It’s a carbon fiber nylon filament that has excellent printability, high tensile strength and rigidity. If the final parts will be used in mechanical applications that require abrasion and chemical resistance, high toughness, and high thermal properties.

 

Specifications:

Working temperature: 240–270 °C

Heated bed:  80–110 °C

Diameter: 1.75mm and 2.85mm

Diameter tolerance: +/- 0.05 mm

Nozzle: Nozzle: We currently recommend a hardened steel nozzle with a minimum diameter of 0.4mm

Price for reference: ~$58 for 500g 1.75mm filament

 

Image Source: 3DXTECH

 

5. ColorFabb XT-CF20

 

ColorFabb is just being ColorFabb. XT-CF20 is a PETG based filament with 20% carbon fiber infused, delivering stiffness and toughness to make functional parts. It is a go-to material that is ideal for end-users looking for high melt strength, high melt viscosity and good dimensional accuracy and stability. More importantly, you can find multiple colors for this material, such as clear, black, white, grey, blue, green and orange. Print with ColorFabb XT-CF20 to get final parts with beautiful matte surface finish.

 

Specifications:

Working temperature: 240–260 °C

Heated bed:  60–70 °C

Diameter: 1.75mm and 2.85mm

Diameter tolerance: +/- 0.05 mm

Nozzle: Nozzle: We recommend to use from stainless steel nozzles or nozzles made with hardened copper alloys.

Price for reference: ~€49.95 for 750g 1.75mm filament

 

Image Source: ColorFabb

 

6. Kimya PETG Carbon 3D Filament

 

If you are looking for more options of PETG carbon fiber filament, Kimya is a nice choice. The material complies with the REACH regulation and the RoHS directive, you will be feeling safe using such carbon fiber filament. It offers much higher mechanical properties than standard PETG materials. Enhance final part’s rigidity, strength, and wear resistance by Kimya PETG carbon 3D filament, and enjoy the ease of printing process.

 

Specifications:

Working temperature: 250 °C

Heated bed:  85–90 °C

Diameter: 1.75mm and 2.85mm

Diameter tolerance: +/- 0.1 mm

Price for reference: ~€51 for 500g 1.75mm filament

 

Image Source: Kimya

 

7. Protopasta Carbon Fiber PLA

 

You don’t want to miss PLA filament which is blended with carbon fiber. After 5 years research and development, Protopasta finally launched its carbon fiber PLA filament. The material is based on Protopasta’s high quality and easy printing PLA. You can improve part’s rigidity and layer adhesion by using this CFPLA, while minimize warpage and clogging. Similar as other filaments that contain carbon fiber, be aware to adjust the printer nozzle with higher wear resistance to reduce maintenance cost.

 

Specifications:

Working temperature: 210-240 °C

Diameter: 1.75mm and 2.85mm

Price for reference: ~$29.99 for 500g 1.75mm filament

Tips: Usable on most PLA-compatible printers, such as Lulzbot, Makerbot, FlashForge, Dremel, Ultimaker, Printrbot, and more!

 

Image Source: Protopasta

 

8. MakerBot Nylon Carbon Fiber

 

MakerBot carbon fiber filament is one of the favorites of the market due to its consistent quality. MakerBot provides PA6/66 and PA12 carbon fiber filament. End-users can decide which to buy by applications. If the part will be use under moisture environment, MakerBot PA12 carbon fiber filament is recommended as PA12 material is less affected by moisture. Strength, stiffness and heat resistance is improved by using carbon fiber filament, but also part weight is reduced. However, the material is relatively expensive.

 

For more information of ordering the MakerBot carbon fiber material, please click here.

 

Image Source: MakerBot

 

9. Prusament PC Blend Carbon Fiber

 

After recommending carbon fiber filament with multiple bases, including nylon, PETG, and PLA, how about PC carbon fiber filament? Prusament PC Blend Carbon Fiber is a PC blend infused with carbon fiber, which is an ideal material to enhance strength, toughness and temperature resistance. Besides, parts that printed with the material has great dimensional stability. Mechanically stressed parts, high temperature resistant parts, and functional engineering parts can work well with Prusament PC blend carbon fiber.

 

For more information of buying Prusament PC blend carbon fiber, please click here.

 

Image Source: Prusament

 

10. Markforged Onyx™

 

Industrial level carbon fiber nylon is capable of making end-use parts, which can be used as housing, mounts, and even plastic part replacement. While it can be used for high cosmetic effect due to the nice matte surface finish. Markforged Onyx is one of the kinds. Micro carbon fiber filled with nylon to enhance strength, toughness, and versatility. Besides, if you own a Markforged 3D printer, the optimal compatibility and printing result is what you will get. However, as it is an industrial level carbon fiber filament, it is out of budget-friendly list.

 

Image Source: Markforged

 

Please feel free to try instant quoting on our website or contact us hello@wenext.com if you are interested.