CF: Carbon Fibre filled filament
Enhance Your 3D Prints with Carbon Fiber Filled Filament
When it comes to 3D printing, the choice of materials can greatly impact your final product. One exciting option is Carbon Fiber (CF) filled filament. The addition of carbon fiber not only alters the printing characteristics but also enhances the properties of your creations.
Key Aspects of Carbon Fiber Filled Filament
- Carbon Fiber Types: Different grades/types of carbon fiber can be used by filament manufacturers, each with distinct properties. The carbon fiber content usually ranges from 5% to 20% by weight, with 15% being the most common. Carbon fiber-filled filaments generally come in a sleek black or dark grey, often featuring a matte finish.
- Improved Printability: CF-filled filament tends to improve printability, resulting in better-looking final products. The matte black/grey finish adds a touch of sophistication. The ease of printing reduces the impact of the higher price of these materials, because it leads to a higher success rate of prints.
- Inter-Layer Adhesion: Surprisingly, adding carbon fiber may reduce inter-layer adhesion and, in turn, the strength of printed parts. This effect depends on the material's formulation, making the choice of manufacturer a crucial decision. We generally use materials made by Prusa Research, because they are finely tuned to print well on our Prusa Printers.
- Abrasion Resistance: Using carbon fiber-filled filament requires a nozzle with greater abrasion resistance and generally higher printing temperatures, approaching 285°C. This influences the choice of the 3D printer and increases maintenance needs.
COST
It's worth noting that CF-filled filament is usually more expensive than unfilled material of the same base type.
Prusa Polymers' CF-Filled Filaments:
We keep PETG-CF, PA11-CF, and PC Blend-CF from Prusa Polymers in stock. These materials consistently deliver superb results. They are known for their strength, excellent bridging, detailed performance, and a striking black matte finish. Due to their popularity and quality, they can be in high demand.
More Than Carbon Fiber
In addition to carbon fiber, there are various other filling materials, each with unique properties. These materials, such as Glass Fiber, Kevlar and metals such as Tungsten, can be advantageous for specific projects. We also have Wood filled and Copper Filled PLA Material as stocked options. If you're interested in these specialty materials, please let us know.
Enhance your 3D printing projects with the strength and style of carbon fiber and other specialty materials. They offer a world of possibilities, allowing you to create impressive and durable parts that stand out.