PLA-CF

What is PLA-CF filament?

PLA-CF (PLA with carbon fibre) is carbon fibre 3D printer filament, that is, a type of PLA plastic reinforced with fine carbon fibres. Also known as carbon filament for 3D printing, PLA-CF combines the ease of printing of standard PLA with improved mechanical properties. In its production, chopped carbon fibres (typically ~5-15% of the composition) are added to the base PLA polymer, which significantly increases the strength and stiffness of the material. Why does it contain carbon fibre? They act as reinforcing reinforcement – similar to steel bars in concrete – giving the plastic greater resistance to bending, impact and pressure, while reducing the weight of the parts.

Main advantages of PLA-CF over standard PLA:

• Increased strength and stiffness: Thanks to the carbon fibres, PLA-CF is much morestrong and durable than plain PLA. Parts printed with it are less susceptible to bending and deformation under load. This makes the material an excellent choice for functional, loaded parts where standard PLA would break more easily.
• Low footprint weight: Carbon fibre is extremely light. Adding them allows crafting of strong yet lightweight parts, which is important for projects like drones, model cars, robotics, and more. – wherever the strength/weight ratio is critical.
• Minimal shrinking and twisting: PLA-CF is printed with very low deformation (absorption) on cooling. The fibres in its composition reduce thermal shrinkage, so the details retain their exact dimensions. This means less risk of being torn from the bed and higher accuracy of the final dimensions compared to standard PLA.
• Easy printing and high speed: Despite the added fibres, PLA-CF remains as easy to print as regular PLA. It does not require a special enclosure or extreme settings. Most PLA-CF models are extruded smoothly and even allow higher print speeds, as the material is stable and produces little stringing.
• Excellent appearance - matte finish: Finished parts have an attractive matte surface with a light texture from the carbon particles. This "sandblasted" effect hides layer lines and gives a professional look. The black or dark gray hues of most PLA-CF filaments make prints look high-quality, as if they were real composite material. (Some brands offer PLA-CF in other colours as well, retaining the matte effect.)

Note: PLA-CF also inherits some characteristics of standard PLA. For example, he remains biodegradable (due to the PLA base) and no unpleasant odors when printing. On the other hand, however, its heat resistance is equally limited – printed parts start to soften around ~60°C. Therefore PLA-CF not suitable for use at high temperatures (e.g. in a car on a hot day or as part of heated mechanisms). This is not a disadvantage to PLA, but rather a feature to consider when choosing the material.

How to print with PLA-CF: settings and tips for successful 3D printing

PLA-CF is comparatively unpretentious to the settings material, but there are several important features in its use. Here's what to keep in mind when 3D printing with carbon fibre PLA:

Extruder and bed temperature

PLA-CF is typically printed at temperatures similar to those for PLA, but often in the upper range for better fusion between layers. The recommended one nozzle temperature varies approx 200°C – 230°C, depending on the specific brand and fibre content. Some products with a higher percentage of carbon may require a slightly higher temperature (eg 220°-230°C) to ensure good bonding of the layers. Always follow the filament manufacturer's directions for optimal results.

For the printer bed light heat is helpful. Although PLA-CF can often also be printed on a cold platform (like PLA), it is recommended heating bed around 50°-60°C. This improves the adhesion of the first layer and further minimizes the risk of deformation. Use the standard PLA bases: glass platform with glue stick, PEI sheet or textured flex platform - PLA-CF will stick well to them. It is important the first layer to be properly leveled and adhered, as carbon filaments do not forgive poor adhesion (due to the hardness of the material, parts can peel off if the base is not sticky enough). If needed, apply a thin layer of glue or 3D printing spray to improve adhesion.

Cooling and print speed

One of the advantages of PLA-CF is that works well with cooling, similar to PLA. Use it model cooling fan to 50-100% of its power during printing (100% for small parts or bridges, and about 50% for larger layers for good soldering). Proper cooling will ensure sharp details and clean corners without compromising adhesion between layers.

The material also allows high print speeds. Because of its increased stiffness, PLA-CF filament feeds steadily through the extruder and can maintain its quality at speeds higher than standard PLA. Many users are successfully printing PLA-CF at speeds of 80-100+ mm/s. If your printer is capable of this, PLA-CF can save time without significant loss of quality. Of course, for optimal results it's a good idea to start with a moderate speed (eg ~60mm/s) and gradually increase until you judge where the quality remains acceptable.

Nozzles required: why you should use hardened tips

An essential point when printing with all carbon filaments (including PLA-CF) is the selection of the appropriate nozzle. Why is a special nozzle needed? – Because carbon fibre acts as an abrasive material. The tiny hard filaments in the filament literally sand the inside of the nozzle as they pass through it. Standard brass (bronze) nozzles wear out very quickly when printing PLA-CF - sometimes after only a few hundred grams of filament the nozzle opening expands and rounds, resulting in degraded quality and unpredictable extrusion.

The solution is simple: use hardened nozzles, intended for abrasive materials. An ideal choice is hardened steel nozzles, which are much harder than brass and can withstand long hours of carbon filament printing without significant wear. Alternatively, there are also on the market nozzles with ruby tips or tungsten carbide ones – they also do an excellent job with abrasive filaments like PLA-CF (although they are more expensive). The nozzle size can be standard 0.4 mm, as most PLA-CFs are fine enough, but some users prefer 0.5-0.6 mm nozzle. The slightly wider opening reduces the risk of clogging and further extends nozzle life, while the loss in detail resolution is minimal.

In summary: If you plan to print with PLA-CF, be sure to equip your printer with a hardened nozzle. It's a small investment that will save you a lot of headaches and ensure consistent print quality. Leave the standard brass nozzle for non-abrasive materials.

Storage and humidity of PLA-CF filaments

Like other PLA-based materials, PLA-CF is hygroscopic – with time absorbs moisture from the air. The additional presence of fibre does not interfere with this tendency; in fact, some carbon blends can be even more sensitive. The damp filament can cause printing problems: cracking and crackling during extrusion, formation of small bubbles and irregularities on the layer, as well as "stringing" between the individual parts of the model. To save yourself this trouble, store PLA-CF in a dry place. It is recommended to keep it in a sealed bag with silica gel or even better - in a special box for drying filament. If your filament has been sitting open for a long time, it's not a bad idea to dry it before printing (eg 4-8 hours at ~50°C in a dryer or low temperature oven). Dry PLA-CF will print much more stably and qualitatively, with a smooth texture and minimal stringing.

Results and properties of printed models with PLA-CF

When you set up the printer correctly (temperature, nozzle, cooling and dry filament), the results of 3D printing with PLA-CF are impressive. You will get parts that are tangible stronger and firmer than those made with standard PLA. Many users report that parts made of PLA-CF can withstand mechanical stress almost as well as small metal or carbon components. Of course, the material is still plastic and has its strength limits, but for many applications, PLA-CF exceeds the requirements.

In addition to strength, you will also notice the difference in appearance. The prints have matte, slightly rough texture, which gives a premium look. The surface does not have the usual sheen of PLA, but is more "dry" in appearance and touch, almost like a fine sandpaper or sandblast. This is great if you're looking for aesthetics - there's often no need for additional post-processing or painting as the model looks finished anyway. If you still wish, you can sand or paint PLA-CF prints similar to standard PLA. Because of the fibres, sanding is even easier – the material is removed evenly and allows a very smooth surface to be achieved if needed.

To the touch, PLA-CF parts are hard and stable. The thin elements do not bend as they would with PLA, but remain stable. Note that increased hardness sometimes goes with decreased hardness impact resistance – in a very strong impact or drop from a height, some of the PLA-CF can break, because the fibres, making the material harder, also make it a bit more fragile under extreme stress. However, for most everyday situations, PLA-CF is tough enough.

Areas of application: The combination of high strength, low weight and good accuracy making PLA-CF ideal for engineering prototypes and functional parts. It is often used to make drones and RC models (frames, stands, camera frames), robot details or mechanisms, car and bicycle parts (holders, brackets, housings), jigs and tools to order and also for beautiful decorative patterns with a technical appearance. The material allows hobbyists and professionals to create objects that would previously have required the use of much more expensive composites or metal parts.

PLA-CF filament brands available in 3DLarge

In this category you will find selected PLA-CF filaments from leading manufacturers, which guarantee quality and reliability. Here are some of the carbon fibre PLA brands we carry:

• Polymaker (PolyLite™ PLA-CF) – Popular PLA-CF filament from Polymaker's PolyLite series. It features easy printing and consistent quality. With this material, you get all the advantages of PLA-CF: high rigidity, minimal distortion and a beautiful matte finish. Polymaker PLA-CF is known for does not require special settings beyond the standard for PLA (except hardened nozzle) and gives stable results, making it suitable even for less experienced users. Available in standard 1 kg spools, 1.75 mm diameter.

• Creality (CR-PLA Carbon) – Creality's carbon PLA filament designed to complement their line of 3D printers. CR-PLA Carbon combines the convenience of working with PLA with added from carbon fibre strength and durability. Patterns printed with this filament are stiff and light, and the surface is pleasantly matte. Creality PLA-CF is optimised for excellent adhesion between layers, resulting in strong parts resistant to mechanical stress. Filament prints in the ~200-220°C range and also requires a hardened nozzle. Available in practical 1 kg spools, colour black (typical of carbon compounds).

(Our catalogue is updated regularly - stay tuned for more PLA-CF proposals from other established brands in the field of 3D printing.)