Carbon fiber filament can create strong, stiff, and lightweight parts. It looks great right off the print bed, too. If you have been thinking about trying it out, you should know that printing with carbon fiber-filled materials is a bit different from printing with standard PLA or PETG. These filaments are abrasive and require some specific hardware and settings for successful prints. Below, we review the basics you’ll need to know when getting started with extruding carbon fiber filament.
Why Print With Carbon Fiber Filament?
Standard polymers like PLA and ABS are great for general-purpose printing, but they lack the mechanical properties needed for high-stress applications. Adding chopped carbon fibers into a base polymer (like PLA, PETG, or nylon) creates a composite filament. This filament produces parts with improved stiffness and dimensional stability. The fibers also help reduce shrinkage and warping, which is especially useful when printing with materials like ABS or nylon that are prone to it. Moreover, the resulting matte finish does an excellent job of hiding layer lines, giving your prints a professional look.
Hardware You Will Need
To begin carbon fiber printing successfully, you need the right supplies. Mainly, you need a 3D printer designed to handle the filament. These specialized carbon fiber 3D printers feature tough steel nozzles that resist abrasion and can handle printing temperatures on the higher end.
An enclosure is also recommended, particularly for filaments like carbon fiber ABS or nylon, to maintain a stable ambient temperature and prevent warping. Again, specialized carbon fiber printers have these.
Slicer Settings to Consider
You will likely need to adjust your slicer settings. Start with the recommended profile for the base material (e.g., PETG or nylon) and make changes from there. You may need to increase your nozzle temperature by 10–20°C to help the filament flow better.
Since the material is abrasive, a slightly larger layer height (around 0.2 mm) and a wider extrusion width can help reduce compounding nozzle wear.
Finally, consider a small retraction speed and distance adjustment to prevent clogging, which can be more common with filled filaments.
Getting started with extruding carbon fiber filament is an exciting move, and it’s relatively simple with the right hardware and a few tweaks. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll be on your way to making impressive, high-performance parts.