PP-CF: density, print temperature and when to choose it
PP-CF is plain PP reinforced with chopped carbon fiber: the additive sharply increases stiffness and reduces the deformation that usually makes plain polypropylene hard to print, while the material remains one of the lightest among reinforced plastics thanks to PP's low base density. In exchange, like any carbon-fiber composite, PP-CF is abrasive and needs a hardened nozzle.
Key properties
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | ≈1.03 g/cm³ |
| Nozzle temperature | 220–250°C |
| Bed temperature | 90–110°C |
| Part cooling | light |
| Shrinkage | lower than plain PP, but still noticeable |
| Enclosure required | recommended |
When to use it
- Lightweight rigid parts where strength-to-weight ratio matters: housings, brackets, vehicle components.
- Parts in contact with aggressive chemical environments (acids, solvents) where both PP's chemical resistance and higher stiffness are needed.
- Replacing aluminum or glass-filled plastics where low part mass is critical.
When to pick something else
- No hardened nozzle — printing on brass will quickly bore out the tip; either use plain PP without filler or switch to a hardened nozzle.
- You need maximum bed adhesion and minimal deformation without fighting warping — consider ASA-CF or PA6-GF, which print more predictably.
- You need a smooth glossy surface without fiber texture — plain PP or PETG gives a cleaner look.
Pros and cons
Pros: high stiffness at low density, retains PP's chemical resistance and fatigue strength, less prone to deformation while printing than base polypropylene.
Cons: requires a hardened nozzle due to fiber abrasiveness, still has PP's characteristic finicky bed adhesion, a matte rough surface, limited color choice from manufacturers.
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Carbon fiber abrasiveness carries the same risk as with ASA-CF/PP-GF: a brass nozzle wears out within one to two spools, and switching to a hardened one needs its own line in equipment depreciation. At the same time, PP-CF's low density partly offsets its high price per kilogram — on bulky lightweight parts, material consumption by mass comes out lower than with denser reinforced plastics like ASA-GF or PA6-GF.