PA-CF filament: the numbers
Carbon-fibre reinforced polyamide. Typical uses: structural brackets, drone arms, automotive under-hood parts, tooling and fixtures.
1.17 g/cm³density (1.06–1.25)
355 mper kg at 1.75 mm
2.81 gper metre
260–300 °Cnozzle
80–100 °Cbed
0.3%linear shrinkage
$50typical per kg ($35–80)
150 °Cmax service temperature
Recommendedenclosure
80 °C · 12 hdrying (high hygroscopic)
4/5difficulty · very-high strength · rigid
Printing tips
- Hardened steel nozzle and a dry box feed are both required.
- Anneal at 80-100 C after printing to reach the published strength and heat figures.
- Warps far less than unfilled nylon; chamber still helps on large flat parts.
Grams ↔ metres for PA-CF
What a PA-CF print costs
Questions about PA-CF
What temperature should I print PA-CF at?
Nozzle 260–300 °C and bed 80–100 °C are the usual range. Start in the middle and tune with a temperature tower; an enclosure helps with larger parts.
How many metres of PA-CF are in a 1 kg spool?
About 355 m at 1.75 mm (density 1.17 g/cm³). One metre weighs 2.81 g.
Does PA-CF need drying?
Yes — it is very hygroscopic. Dry at 80 °C for 12 hours before printing if it has been open for more than a few days.
How much does PA-CF shrink?
About 0.3% linear. To compensate, scale X and Y by 100.30% in the slicer, or measure a test print and use the shrinkage calculator.
Sources: wiki.polymaker.com, cdn.shopify.com, wiki.bambulab.com