Carbon-fibre PLA filament: the numbers
Polylactic acid with chopped carbon fibre. Typical uses: stiff brackets, drone frames, matte-finish enclosures, jigs.
1.26 g/cm³density (1.22–1.3)
330 mper kg at 1.75 mm
3.03 gper metre
210–240 °Cnozzle
50–65 °Cbed
0.2%linear shrinkage
$35typical per kg ($28–50)
55 °Cmax service temperature
Not neededenclosure
55 °C · 8 hdrying (medium hygroscopic)
2/5difficulty · medium strength · rigid
Printing tips
- Hardened steel nozzle is mandatory; brass wears out in a spool or two.
- Stiffer, not stronger: tensile strength is lower than plain PLA.
- Minimal warping and a matte finish that hides layer lines.
Grams ↔ metres for Carbon-fibre PLA
What a Carbon-fibre PLA print costs
Questions about Carbon-fibre PLA
What temperature should I print Carbon-fibre PLA at?
Nozzle 210–240 °C and bed 50–65 °C are the usual range. Start in the middle and tune with a temperature tower; no enclosure is needed.
How many metres of Carbon-fibre PLA are in a 1 kg spool?
About 330 m at 1.75 mm (density 1.26 g/cm³). One metre weighs 3.03 g.
Does Carbon-fibre PLA need drying?
Yes — it is moderately hygroscopic. Dry at 55 °C for 8 hours before printing if it has been open for more than a few days.
How much does Carbon-fibre PLA shrink?
About 0.2% linear. To compensate, scale X and Y by 100.20% in the slicer, or measure a test print and use the shrinkage calculator.
Sources: wiki.polymaker.com, en.wikipedia.org