Carbon Fiber Filament: Is It Worth the Extra Cost?

What Is Carbon Fiber Filament?

Carbon fiber filaments are standard materials (PETG, Nylon, ASA) with short carbon fibers mixed in. The fibers add stiffness, reduce weight, and improve dimensional stability.

Types of CF Filament

• PETG-CF: Easiest to print. Good stiffness boost. €28-35/kg.
• ASA-CF: Best for outdoor + structural parts. €24-30/kg.
• Nylon-CF: Strongest option. Needs dry storage. €40-60/kg.
• PLA-CF: Looks cool but minimal strength benefit. €25-30/kg.

Benefits

1. Stiffness: 2-3x stiffer than the base material
2. Dimensional stability: Less warping during printing
3. Weight: Slightly lighter than solid plastic
4. Appearance: Professional matte look
5. Heat resistance: Better than the base material alone

Drawbacks

1. Abrasive: Wears out brass nozzles fast. Use a hardened steel or ruby nozzle.
2. Brittle: CF fibers make the material less flexible
3. Layer adhesion: Can be weaker between layers
4. Cost: 30-100% more than the base material

Is It Worth It?

For structural parts where stiffness matters — absolutely. For decorative prints — skip it. The matte look can be achieved with matte PLA at half the price.

Calculate the exact cost difference using our material comparison tool.