PLA-CF

What is PLA-CF filament?

PLA-CF (PLA with carbon fibers) is a carbon fiber filament for 3D printing, that is, a type of PLA plastic reinforced with fine carbon fibers. Also known as carbon filament for 3D printing, PLA-CF combines the easy printing of standard PLA with improved mechanical properties. During its production, chopped carbon fibers (usually ~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 fibers? They act as a reinforcing reinforcement – similar to steel rods in concrete – giving the plastic greater resistance to bending, impact, and pressure, while simultaneously reducing the weight of the parts.

Main advantages of PLA-CF compared to standard PLA:

• Increased strength and hardness: Thanks to the carbon fibers, PLA-CF is much more strong and durable than regular PLA. Parts printed with it are less susceptible to bending and deformation under load. This makes the material an excellent choice for functional, load-bearing components where standard PLA would break more easily.
• Low weight of the prints: Carbon fibers are extremely lightweight. Their addition allows for the production of strong yet lightweight parts, which is important for projects like drones, car models, robotics, etc. – everywhere the strength-to-weight ratio is critical.
• Minimal shrinkage and warping: PLA-CF prints with very low deformation (absorption) during cooling. The fibers in its composition reduce thermal shrinkage, so the parts maintain their exact dimensions. This means a lower risk of detachment from the bed and higher accuracy of final dimensions compared to standard PLA.
• Easy printing and high speed: Despite the added fibers, PLA-CF remains as easy to print as regular PLA. It does not require a special enclosed chamber or extreme settings. Most PLA-CF models extrude smoothly and even allow for higher printing speeds, as the material is stable and does not produce much stringing.
• Excellent appearance – matte finish: The finished parts have an attractive matte surface with a slight texture from the carbon particles. This "sandblasted" effect hides the layer lines and gives a professional look. The black or dark gray shades of most PLA-CF filaments make the prints look high-quality, as if they are made from real composite material. (Some brands offer PLA-CF in other colors while maintaining the matte effect.)

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

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

PLA-CF is a relatively unpretentious material regarding settings, but it has a few important features to consider when using it. Here’s what to keep in mind when 3D printing with PLA with carbon fibers:

Temperature on the extruder and the bed

PLA-CF is usually printed at temperatures similar to those for PLA, but often in the upper range for better layer adhesion. The recommended nozzle temperature varies around 200°C – 230°C, depending on the specific brand and fiber content. Some products with a higher carbon percentage may require a slightly higher temperature (for example, 220°-230°C) to ensure good layer bonding. Always follow the manufacturer's guidelines for the filament for optimal results.

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

Cooling and printing speed

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

The material also allows for high printing speeds. Due to its increased hardness, the PLA-CF filament feeds steadily through the extruder and can maintain its quality at speeds higher than standard PLA. Many users successfully print 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 is advisable to start at a moderate speed (for example, ~60 mm/s) and gradually increase until you assess how far the quality remains acceptable.

Necessary nozzles: why you should use hardened tips

A crucial moment when printing with all carbon filaments (including PLA-CF) is the choice of the appropriate nozzle. Why is a special nozzle needed? – Because carbon fibers act as an abrasive material. The small hard strands in the filament literally grind the inside of the nozzle as they pass through it. Standard brass (bronze) nozzles wear out very quickly when printing with PLA-CF – sometimes after just a few hundred grams of filament, the nozzle opening expands and rounds off, leading to degraded quality and unpredictable extrusion.

The solution is simple: use hardened nozzles designed for abrasive materials. An ideal choice is nozzles made of hardened tool steel (hardened steel), which are much harder than brass and can withstand long hours of printing with carbon filaments without significant wear. Alternatively, there are also nozzles with ruby tips or those made of tungsten carbide – they also work excellently with abrasive filaments like PLA-CF (although they are more expensive). The nozzle size can be standard 0.4 mm, as most PLA-CF have sufficiently fine fibers, but some users prefer 0.5-0.6 mm nozzles. A slightly wider opening reduces the risk of clogging and further extends the life of the nozzle, 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. This is 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 – over time it absorbs moisture from the air. The additional presence of fibers does not hinder this tendency; in fact, some carbon blends can be even more sensitive. Moist filament can cause printing issues: popping and crackling from the filament, formation of tiny bubbles and unevenness in the layer, as well as "stringing" between the individual parts of the model. To avoid these troubles, 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 filament drying box. If your filament has been left open for a long time, it’s not a bad idea to dry it before printing (for example, 4-8 hours at ~50°C in a dryer or oven at low temperature). Dry PLA-CF will print much more stably and with better quality, with a smooth texture and without excess strings.

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 noticeably stronger and stiffer than those made with standard PLA. Many users share that details made from PLA-CF can withstand mechanical loads almost like 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.

Besides the durability, you will notice the difference in appearance. The prints have a matte, slightly rough texture that gives a premium look. The surface does not have the usual shine of PLA, but appears more "dry" in look and touch, almost like fine sandpaper or sandblasted. This is great if you are looking for aesthetics – often there is no need for additional post-processing or painting, as the model already looks finished. If you still wish, you can sand or paint PLA-CF prints just like standard PLA. Due to the fibers, sanding is even easier – the material is removed evenly and allows for achieving a very smooth surface if needed.

On the PLA-CF, the details are hard and stable. The thin elements do not bend as they would with PLA, but remain resilient. Keep in mind that increased hardness sometimes comes with reduced impact resistance – with a very strong impact or drop from a height, part of the PLA-CF may break, as the fibers, making the material tougher, also make it a bit more brittle under extreme load. Nevertheless, for most everyday situations, PLA-CF is sufficiently tough.

Application areas: The combination of high strength, low weight, and good accuracy makes PLA-CF ideal for engineering prototypes and functional parts. It is often used for the production of drones and RC models (frames, mounts, camera frames), robot parts or mechanisms, parts for cars and bicycles (holders, brackets, housings), jigs and custom tools, as well as for beautiful decorative models with a technical look. The material allows both hobbyists and professionals to create objects that would previously require the use of much more expensive composites or metal parts.

Proposed brands of PLA-CF filaments at 3DLarge

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

• Polymaker (PolyLite™ PLA-CF) – A popular PLA-CF filament from the PolyLite series by Polymaker. It is characterized by easy printing and consistent quality. With this material, you get all the advantages of PLA-CF: high rigidity, minimal warping, and a beautiful matte finish. Polymaker PLA-CF is known for not requiring special settings beyond the standard for PLA (except for a hardened nozzle) and provides stable results, making it suitable even for users with less experience. It is available in standard 1 kg spools, 1.75 mm diameter.

• Creality (CR-PLA Carbon) – The carbon PLA filament from Creality, designed to complement their line of 3D printers. CR-PLA Carbon combines the ease of working with PLA with added strength and durability from carbon fibers. Models printed with this filament are solid and lightweight, and the surface has a pleasantly matte finish. Creality PLA-CF is optimized for excellent layer adhesion, resulting in strong details that are resistant to mechanical stress. The filament is printed in the range of ~200-220°C and also requires a hardened nozzle. It is available in practical 1 kg spools, color black (typical for carbon blends).

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