PolyLite PLA-CF

It is suitable for housings, brackets, fixtures, decorative technical parts, prototypes and components where dimensional accuracy matters. Low shrinkage and the carbon fibres help produce stable, precise geometries.

Polymaker recommends a nozzle temperature of 210–230°C and a build plate temperature of 30–70°C. The recommended printing speed is 25–60 mm/s, with the part cooling fan enabled.

Yes. This is the main hardware requirement for PolyLite™ PLA-CF. Carbon fibres are abrasive and gradually wear down standard brass nozzles, so Polymaker recommends a hardened steel nozzle or another wear-resistant material.

Yes. A 0.4 mm nozzle can be used provided it is wear-resistant. A 0.6 mm nozzle is also a popular choice for composite filaments because it allows material to flow more freely and further reduces the likelihood of clogging. Nozzle size and wear are frequently discussed topics in PLA-CF user forums.

Yes. The official setting is to enable the part cooling fan. As with standard PLA, good cooling improves overhangs, bridges and small details, and helps maintain accurate geometry.

It should not be chosen solely for higher strength. Its main advantages are dimensional stability, low shrinkage and a matt surface. In technical tests, PolyLite™ PLA-CF achieves an XY tensile strength of around 31.2 MPa, compared with around 52.3 MPa for standard PolyLite™ PLA. PLA Pro or PolyMax™ PLA is therefore generally more suitable for parts exposed to strong impacts or dynamic loads.

PolyLite™ PLA-CF remains a PLA-based material: carbon fibres do not turn it into a high-temperature filament. Its glass transition temperature is around 62°C, its Vicat softening temperature around 64°C, and its HDT approximately 50°C at 1.8 MPa and 54°C at 0.45 MPa. An engineering material such as PC, ASA, PET-CF or PA-CF is more suitable for parts exposed to high temperatures for extended periods.