Carbon fiber filament has quickly become one of the most in-demand engineering materials in the 3D printing world. Known for its ultra-high strength, low weight, stiffness, and excellent dimensional stability, this filament is widely used in industrial applications, robotics, drones, functional prototypes, and automotive parts.
Also known as carbon fiber 3d filament, carbon fiber 3d printer filament, carbon fiber filament 3d printing, carbon fiber infused filament, and carbon fiber reinforced filaments, this material delivers the premium performance of carbon composites in an easy-to-print filament form.
In this guide, we’ll explore what carbon fiber filament is, how it’s made, its properties, benefits, limitations, best settings, and ideal applications.
What is Carbon Fiber Filament?
Definition
Carbon fiber filament is a composite 3D printing material made by blending a base thermoplastic usually PLA, PETG, Nylon, Polycarbonate, ABS, or PEEK with finely chopped carbon fiber strands. These micro carbon fibers significantly increase the material’s stiffness, tensile strength, and dimensional accuracy. It is commonly used in carbon fiber 3d printing filament form for FDM 3D printing and FFF 3D printers that can handle abrasive materials.
How Carbon Fiber Filament is Made
Base Polymer Selection
Manufacturers choose a strong base polymer such as:
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PLA (easy to print)
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PETG (balanced strength)
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Nylon / PA (high durability)
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Polycarbonate (PC) (engineering-grade strength)
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ABS (impact resistance)
Carbon Fiber Reinforcement
Tiny chopped carbon fibers (5–10% by volume) are blended into the molten polymer, resulting in:
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Higher stiffness
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Higher strength-to-weight ratio
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Matte finish with improved aesthetics
Advanced variants include carbon glass fiber reinforced polymer filament, which mixes both carbon and glass fibers for maximum strength.
Extrusion and Spooling
After reinforcement, the filament is extruded into 1.75 mm or 2.85 mm strands.
The final product becomes carbon fiber 3d printer filament ready for industrial-grade prints.
Key Properties of Carbon Fiber Filament
Mechanical Strength & Rigidity
Because of its carbon reinforcement, the filament becomes exceptionally stiff and strong, perfect for load-bearing parts.
Lightweight Composition
Carbon fibers reduce density, resulting in strong yet ultra-lightweight prints ideal for drone frames, RC parts, or robotics.
Low Warping and Excellent Dimensional Stability
Carbon fiber improves print stability, reducing shrinkage during cooling.
This makes it ideal for:
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Long parts
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Assemblies
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Precision components
Heat Resistance
Nylon-CF and PC-CF variants offer high heat tolerance for industrial environments.
Premium Surface Finish
The material produces a matte, scratch-resistant, professional carbon finish that hides layer lines.
Types of Carbon Fiber Filament
PLA Carbon Fiber Filament
Easy to print, great stiffness, aesthetic finish. Best for lightweight models and functional prototypes.
PETG Carbon Fiber Filament
Stronger and more temperature-resistant than PLA; ideal for mechanical components.
Nylon Carbon Fiber Filament
Extremely durable, flexible, impact-resistant, and perfect for engineering applications.
Polycarbonate Carbon Fiber Filament
High-performance engineering-grade material with extreme strength and heat resistance.
ABS Carbon Fiber Filament
Good balance between toughness and stiffness; suitable for automotive or tool parts.
Advantages of Carbon Fiber Filament
High Strength-to-Weight Ratio
Delivers superior mechanical performance while remaining lightweight a key reason it’s used in aerospace and automotive industries.
Minimal Warping
Carbon reinforcement reduces thermal contraction, giving you stable prints even with long parts.
Excellent Surface Quality
Matte black, premium finish that hides layer lines ideal for commercial or consumer products.
Low Flex / No Deformation
The filament is extremely stiff, making it perfect for brackets, mounts, enclosures, and robotic parts.
Industrial-Grade Performance
When printed using Nylon-CF or PC-CF, parts can rival injection molded components.
Limitations of Carbon Fiber Filament
Abrasive Material
It will wear out brass nozzles.
Use a hardened steel or ruby nozzle.
Reduced Flexibility
CF makes parts stiffer but slightly more brittle than pure polymers.
Requires Higher Temperatures
PC-CF and Nylon-CF need:
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Enclosure
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High heat bed
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High nozzle temperature
Moisture Sensitivity
Nylon-CF must be kept extremely dry to prevent stringing and weak prints.
Printing Settings for Carbon Fiber Filament
Nozzle Temperature
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PLA-CF: 190–210°C
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PETG-CF: 240–260°C
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Nylon-CF: 250–280°C
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PC-CF: 280–320°C
Bed Temperature
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PLA-CF: 50–60°C
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PETG-CF: 70–90°C
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Nylon-CF: 70–110°C
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PC-CF: 100–120°C
Nozzle Type
- Hardened steel nozzle (0.4–0.6 mm)
- Ruby nozzle for best lifespan
Cooling
Low to medium fan for maximum strength.
Drying
Nylon-CF & PC-CF must be dried at 70–80°C for 4–6 hours.
Common Issues & Solutions
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle wear | Abrasive carbon fibers | Use hardened steel nozzle |
| Stringing | Moisture absorbed | Dry filament before use |
| Layer separation | Low temperature | Increase nozzle temp |
| Warping (base polymer dependent) | Temp fluctuations | Use enclosure, control airflow |
Applications of Carbon Fiber Filament
Drones & RC Vehicles
Lightweight + strong = perfect for frames and structural parts.
Robotics
Ideal for brackets, arms, gears, and housings.
Automotive Parts
Heat-resistant PC-CF and ABS-CF parts perform well under load.
Mechanical Prototypes
End-use quality with dimensional accuracy.
Tools & Jigs
High stiffness supports demanding workshop tasks.
Industrial Components
Used where aluminum-like stiffness is required.
Future Trends in Carbon Fiber Filament
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More advanced carbon glass fiber reinforced polymer filament blends
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Ultra-high-temp CF filaments (PEEK-CF, PEKK-CF)
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Improved surface finishes
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Higher endurance for automotive and aerospace components
FAQs
How strong is carbon fiber 3D printer filament?
Carbon fiber 3D printer filament is significantly stronger and stiffer than standard materials like PLA, PETG, or ABS because it contains short carbon fibers blended into the polymer base. This reinforcement increases tensile strength, rigidity, impact resistance, and dimensional stability, making carbon fiber filament ideal for functional, load-bearing, or engineering-grade 3D printing applications. In short, it offers one of the best strength-to-weight ratios among mainstream 3D printing materials.
Is carbon fiber filament stronger than PLA?
Yes carbon fiber filament is much stronger than PLA due to its reinforced structure. While PLA is easy to print, it is brittle and not suitable for high-stress parts. Carbon fiber 3D filament, especially when blended with Nylon, PETG, or Polycarbonate, delivers higher strength, stiffness, temperature resistance, and durability. When comparing PLA vs carbon fiber filament, carbon fiber wins in almost every mechanical category, especially for functional prototypes and industrial-grade components.
Is carbon fiber filament toxic?
The filament itself is not highly toxic, but the fumes generated during carbon fiber filament 3D printing can be harmful if inhaled over time. Since most carbon fiber reinforced filaments use bases like Nylon, ABS, or Polycarbonate, they release ultrafine particles (UFPs) and VOCs during printing.
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