PA-CF (carbon-fiber nylon): density, print temperature and when to choose it
PA-CF is an umbrella name for nylons (based on PA6, PA12, or blends of the two) reinforced with chopped carbon fiber. The fiber sharply raises stiffness and dimensional stability, nearly eliminates warping, and gives a characteristic matte black surface — which is why it's favored for functional parts and fixtures. Exact temperatures and properties depend on the base nylon and brand; the figures here are typical guidelines for cost calculation.
Key properties
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | ≈1.10 g/cm³ (depends on fiber % and base polymer) |
| Nozzle temperature | 270–300°C |
| Bed temperature | 90–110°C |
| Part cooling | minimal |
| Shrinkage | low — fiber significantly reduces warping |
| Enclosure required | recommended |
When to use it
- Fixtures, jigs, and tooling where stiffness and repeatable dimensions without deformation matter.
- Replacing lightweight aluminum parts where high specific stiffness at low weight is needed.
- Housings and brackets subject to vibration — reinforcement damps resonance better than unfilled nylon.
- Parts where low shrinkage matters for printing large flat surfaces.
When to pick something else
- Budget is limited to a brass nozzle — carbon is abrasive and quickly bores out brass; PA-CF needs a hardened or carbide nozzle, otherwise it's simpler to take unfilled PA6 or PA12.
- You need maximum impact toughness rather than stiffness — reinforcement makes the material more brittle; plain PA6 bends rather than cracks.
- Tensile strength matters more than cost — often it's cheaper and more beginner-friendly to take PETG-CF.
- You need a filler that's easier to work with — PA-GF (glass fiber) is less abrasive to the nozzle, though it trails in stiffness.
Pros and cons
Pros: high stiffness and dimensional stability, minimal warping even on large parts, a good surface finish, the best stiffness-to-weight ratio among reinforced nylons.
Cons: highly abrasive — requires a hardened nozzle, otherwise a brass one wears out within a few spools; the base nylon is hygroscopic, so drying before printing is mandatory; more brittle on impact than unfilled nylon; higher filament price.
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RuStoreHow it affects your print cost
Carbon fiber abrasiveness is the main hidden cost source: a brass nozzle wears out within a few spools and starts producing inaccurate extrusion, so budget a hardened or ruby-tipped nozzle as a consumable, not a one-time purchase. Add the ongoing need to dry the nylon base and higher energy use from the heated bed and (recommended) enclosure — altogether PA-CF costs noticeably more per meter than the number on the spool label suggests.