MatterHackers is one of the most popular online retailers of 3D printing supplies, and they make two versions of carbon fiber filament: NylonX and Pro Series carbon fiber nylon filament. Both are engineering-grade filaments, but the company notes that the latter was manufactured for ease of printing.

NylonX is composed of 20% (by weight) carbon fiber strands with a nylon base, as the name suggests. It combines the durability of nylon and the stiffness of carbon fibers to create a tough, shatter-resistant material ideal for producing functional parts. In our review of the filament, we experienced some warping but achieved mostly great prints.

MatterHackers’ Pro Series carbon fiber filament also has a nylon polymer base, but according to MatterHackers, it’s a higher-grade nylon. Regardless of which option you choose, note that nylon is significantly moisture-sensitive, so it must be kept dry and packaged with a desiccator. Moreover, MatterHackers recommends using hardened nozzles like the Olsson Ruby to print both of their carbon fiber nylon filaments.

NylonX

• Diameters: 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm
• Density: ~1.0 g/cm³
• Bed temperature: 60-65 °C (and an additional adhesive)
• Hot end temperature: 250-265 °C
• Price: ~$58 for 0.5 kg (~$116/kg)

MatterHackers NylonX

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Pro Series Carbon Fiber Nylon

• Diameters: 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm
• Density: 1.01 g/cm3
• Bed temperature: 60-65 °C (and an additional adhesive)
• Hot end temperature: 250-265 °C
• Price: $62 for 0.5 kg (~$124/kg)

MatterHackers Pro Series Carbon Fiber Nylon

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Fillamentum is another very popular manufacturer of 3D printing filament, and their Nylon CF15 Carbon filament is an exceptional carbon fiber composite filament. As the name suggests, CF15 is composed of 15% milled carbon fiber, with the rest being nylon, specifically polyamide (PA) 12.

According to the manufacturer, Nylon CF15 provides high strength, chemical resistance, and heat resistance. They even recommend using this filament for parts that will constantly face physical stresses, such as bearings and reinforcement parts. The diameter tolerance of Fillamentum CF15 is ± 0.1 mm, which could potentially cause issues on some printer extruders.

• Diameters: 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm
• Density: ~0.98-1.08 g/cm³
• Bed temperature: 80-110 °C
• Hot end temperature: 235-260 °C
• Price: ~$64 for 0.6 kg (~$107/kg)

Fillamentum Nylon CF15 Carbon

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Raise3D is more well-known for making 3D printers rather than filaments, but their PA12 CF filament is still a great choice for anyone looking for a carbon fiber filament. Like Fillamentum CF15, Raise3D’s filament has a nylon PA 12 base and contains 10-30% chopped carbon fiber, according to the datasheet for the filament.

The company highlights the rigidity of their PA12 CF filament as well as its impressive dimensional accuracy. They also note that you can use this filament on Raise3D systems alongside PVA (support material) filament. A hardened steel nozzle is recommended given the abrasiveness of the filament.

• Diameter: 1.75 mm
• Density: ~1.06 g/cm³
• Bed temperature: 60-80 °C
• Hot end temperature: 280-290 °C
• Price: ~$150 for 1 kg

Raise3D PA12 CF

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UltiMaker (formerly known as MakerBot before its merger with UltiMaker) was one of the earliest companies in the 3D printing game, so it comes as no surprise that they sell a carbon fiber composite filament. UltiMaker makes a nylon-based carbon fiber filaments with a PA 12 nylon base.

Nylon 12’s superior moisture resistance means easier printing, more consistent results, and parts that can perform in a wider range of environments.

The composite filament is considerably stronger than traditional printing materials. The filament yield prints with a dimensional accuracy of just ±0.02 mm when printed on the UltiMaker Method and Method X 3D printers with the 1C composite extruder.

In 2023, UltiMaker introduced a new carbon-fiber PET material for its S-series 3D printers we feature in the next section.

• Diameter: 1.75 mm
• Density: Not specified
• Bed temperature: Not specified
• Hot end temperature: Not specified
• Price: ~$105 for 0.5 kg (~$210/kg)

UltiMaker Nylon 12 Carbon Fiber

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eSun’s huge product portfolio wouldn’t be complete without carbon-fiber-reinforced materials. The so-called ePA-CF is a nylon-based filament with 20% carbon fiber by weight. The Chinese manufacturer is known for offering relatively cheap materials with superb quality, and the ePA-CF is no different, as many positive customer reviews confirm.

In addition to increased stiffness and wear resistance, this filament is claimed to be flame-retardant (UL94-V2), making it especially useful for applications that will be exposed to higher temperatures. As with other carbon-fiber-reinforced filaments, eSun recommends using hardened nozzles with this material.

• Diameters: 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm
• Density: ~1.20 g/cm³
• Bed temperature: 80 °C
• Hot end temperature: 240-260 °C
• Price: ~$53 for 1 kg

eSun ePA-CF

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Fiberlogy is not a new name in the engineering materials industry. With their distinctive spool design and a large offering of polymers, it’s not surprising they also have a Nylon filament. Nylon PA12 CF15 is exactly what the name suggests: A blend with 15% chopped fibers (by weight) in a base of polyamide 12 nylon.

On the more technical side, the blend is engineered to have a slightly reduced warping effect and doesn’t require an enclosure to be printed. As you might expect from PA12 compared to PA6, it’s less hygroscopic. The manufacturer reports a diameter tolerance of ±0.02 mm, which is more than enough for standard printers.

• Diameters: 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm
• Density: ~1.07 g/cm³
• Bed temperature: 90-110 °C
• Hot end temperature: 255-270 °C
• Price: ~$50 for 0.5 kg (~$100/kg)

Fiberlogy Nylon PA12 CF15

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Polymide PA6 CF comes from the same brand responsible for the ever-popular PolyTerra lineup of filaments, Polymaker. This nylon is mixed with 20% chopped carbon fibers and has a couple of aces up its sleeve. First, it’s suitable for annealing in an oven at 90 ˚C for 2 hours. This will unlock its mechanical and thermal properties to their full potential. And if you are unable to anneal it, this filament can resist temperatures of up to 215 ˚C under minimal tensile stress. Polymaker offers PLA and PA12 CF options too.

On the flip side, PA6 is extremely hygroscopic and requires continuous drying during printing. It’s also quite demanding in terms of temperature, requiring a hot end capable of sustaining temperatures above 280 ˚C continuously. The manufacturer specifies that the bed temperature should never exceed 50 ˚C. While the price isn’t exactly low, Polymide PA6 CF is one of the best performers among similarly priced filaments.

• Diameters: 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm
• Density: ~1.17 g/cm³
• Bed temperature: 25-50 °C
• Hot end temperature: 255-270 °C
• Price: ~$45 for 0.5 kg (~$90/kg)

Polymaker Polymide PA6-CF

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Ultrafuse PAHT CF15 from BASF is a high-temperature nylon that works in any FDM printer with a hardened nozzle. Additionally, it is compatible with BVOH, water-soluble support material, and HIPS, which enables the printing of complex geometries that need extra supports. Ultrafuse PAHT CF15 boasts low shrinkage during printing and high-temperature resistance up to 150 °C.

This nylon is mixed with 15% chopped carbon fibers and has a lower moisture absorption than other nylons, BASF says. Plus, the material is ESD safe, which is ideal for printing electronics housing and anything that may require electrostatic protection.

• Diameters: 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm
• Density: ~1.23 g/cm³
• Bed temperature: 100-120 °C
• Hot end temperature: 260-280 °C
• Price: ~$90 for 0.75 kg (~$120/kg)

BASF Ultrafuse PAHT CF15

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Essentium HTN-CF25 (high-temperature nylon) is a polyamide-based filament with a 25% carbon fiber-reinforced core. It’s super strong for applications such as jigs and fixtures, and as a replacement for light-duty aluminum parts.

HTN-CF25 boasts easy processing and excellent thermal resistance, but is a hygroscopic thermoplastic and will absorb moisture from humid air, so keep it in vacuum sealed packaging until you are ready to print with it. HTN-CF25 filament should always be fed to the printer in a dry container and stored in a dry cabinet. If the material does absorb moisture, it should be dried in a low dew point (< -40˚C) oven or vacuum oven at 130˚C for 6-8 hours.

• Diameters: 1.75 mm
• Density: ~1.32 g/cm³
• Bed temperature: 60-80 °C
• Hot end temperature: 270-290 °C
• Price: ~$175 for 0.75 kg (~$250/kg)

3DXTech is a US filament manufacturer that offers a wide range of carbon-fiber-reinforced materials. Its CarbonX product line includes composites of PLA, PETG, ABS, polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), different types of nylon (PA6 and PA12), and even higher-grade plastics such as PEI, PEEK, and PEKK.

The carbon-fiber-reinforced ABS is made from premium Sabic MG-94 ABS with 15% high-modulus carbon fiber. According to 3DXTech, besides increased stiffness, this filament also offers higher chemical resistance, dimensional stability, and ease of printing.

The manufacturer recommends using hardened nozzles with a minimum bore diameter of 0.4 mm. 3DXTech also recommends using layer heights of at least 0.25 mm, as smaller values may induce back pressures and result in jams and poor extruding performance.

• Diameters: 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm
• Density: Not specified
• Bed temperature: 100-110 °C (with Kapton tape or ABS/acetone slurry)
• Hot end temperature: 220-240 °C
• Price: ~$78 for 0.75 kg (~$104/kg)

3DXTech Carbon Fiber Filament

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Although it was just recently introduced, we’re featuring the new UltiMaker PET CF here because of the company’s reputation for quality materials, plus, finally, there’s a CF for the company’s popular S5 and S7 3D printers. UltiMaker took its time developing a carbon fiber for its S-series, which you can tell from all the guidance you get with the material packaged into what the company calls a carbon fiber expansion kit.

Highlighting the fact that printing with carbon fiber isn’t like any other filament, UltiMaker includes a kit with everything you need to get the full power of carbon fiber composite parts, such as two spools of PET CF Black, one spool each of the gray and blue, an UltiMaker Print Core CC 0.4 and 0.6, and Cura software with optimized PET CF annealing slicing features. On the company’s site, you’ll find detailed guides on how to print with the material.

Parts printed with PET CF can be annealed (heat treated) to improve their temperature resistance from 80ºC to 191ºC as well as increase their strength by 30% and stiffness by 10%.

• Diameters: 2.85 mm
• Density: 1.33 – 1.45 g/cm3
• Bed temperature: 80 °C
• Hot end temperature: 265-270 °C
• Price: ~$115 for 0.75 kg (~$150/kg)

UltiMaker PET CF

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Kimya is on the more professional side of the 3D printer manufacturer spectrum. They make three different carbon fiber composite materials, each with a different base, including ABS, PETG, and PEKK.

All three filaments are great options for those looking to make strong parts, but the PEKK-based option is really only practical for electrical applications, as the plastic is conductive. It’s also important to note that with a $500+ price tag, this filament is significantly more expensive than the other two.

As for the other two CF filaments, the manufacturer didn’t mention much carbon fiber was in each filament. Given the recommended printing temperatures, it’s possible that the carbon fiber percentage is no more than 15-20%. The ABS- and PETG-based filaments print very similarly to their base materials. The strength of the filaments is also impressive, with Kimya citing 35.7 and 92.9 MPa for the tensile strengths of ABS and PETG, respectively.

ABS Carbon

• Diameters: 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm
• Density: ~1.045 g/cm³
• Bed temperature: 90-110 °C
• Hot end temperature: 250-270 °C
• Price: ~$58 for 0.5 kg (~$116/kg)

Kimya ABS Carbon

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PETG Carbon

• Diameters: 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm
• Density: ~1.28 g/cm³
• Bed temperature: 60-100 °C
• Hot end temperature: 220-260 °C
• Price: ~$62 for 0.5 kg (~$124/kg)

Kimya PETG Carbon

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PEKK Carbon

• Diameters: 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm
• Density: ~1.27 g/cm³
• Bed temperature: 110-150 °C
• Hot end temperature: 350-390 °C
• Price: ~$516 for 0.5 kg (~$1,032/kg)

Kimya PEKK Carbon

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If you want to print flexible parts that are also very strong, Smart Materials’ TPU-based carbon fiber filament is for you. This filament comes in either brown or black and is also pretty reasonably priced, costing around $42 for a 500-g spool.

However, the most interesting part about the filament is that, on top of being decently flexible, it’s also conductive. According to the manufacturer, this is due to the carbon fiber, which makes the filament great for printing models that need to be resistant to electrostatic discharge.

• Diameters: 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm
• Density: ~1.24 g/cm³
• Bed temperature: 45-60 °C
• Hot end temperature: 215-245 °C
• Price: ~$42 for 0.5 kg (~$84/kg)

Smart Materials Innovatefil TPU Carbon Fiber

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If you have a 3D printer, you’ve probably heard of Prusa Research, the company behind printers like the Prusa i3 MK3S+ and Mini+. Prusament is Prusa’s filament brand, and they sell a polycarbonate-blend carbon fiber composite, commonly abbreviated as PCCF.

While the exact composition of carbon fiber isn’t listed, Prusament’s PCCF should be the perfect option for those looking for maximum strength. That’s because PC is considered the strongest 3D printable filament, and it only gets stronger when reinforced with carbon fiber.

PCCF is only available in black. Noteworthy PCCF properties include its heat resistance as well as its annealing capabilities (for post-processing). According to Prusa, the spool has a dimensional tolerance of just ± 0.04 mm, which is exceptional for this type of filament.

• Diameter: 1.75 mm
• Density: ~1.16 g/cm³
• Bed temperature: 100-120 °C
• Hot end temperature: 275-295 °C
• Price: ~$60 for 0.8 kg (~$75/kg)

Prusament PC Blend Carbon Fiber

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ColorFabb’s XT-CF20 is a combination of their proprietary PETG Amphora 3D polymer with up to 20% carbon fibers. This polymer is free from styrene (a compound known to be harmful to our health and to smell terrible) and already offers the user enhanced mechanical properties like high toughness by itself.

The manufacturer claims that XT-CF20 has great dimensional stability and heat resistance, making it ideal for drone parts and automotive prototyping. Active cooling is recommended (at 50 to 90% power), and once the print is finished, it’s advised to let the build plate cool down to room temperature before attempting to remove the part.

• Diameters: 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm
• Density: ~1.27 g/cm³
• Bed temperature: 60-70 °C
• Hot end temperature: 240-260 °C
• Price: ~$46 for 0.75 kg (~$58/kg)

Colorfabb XT-CF20

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Protopasta’s carbon fiber PLA is perhaps one of the easiest materials on this list to print due to its PLA polymer base. According to the company, it offers great layer adhesion, low warpage, and a nice matte finish. The bulk material contains 15% (by weight) chopped carbon fibers, making it more brittle than standard PLA.

The increased rigidity provided by the carbon fiber reinforcement is ideal for parts that aren’t supposed to bend, such as frames and supports. Protopasta recommends using a 0.5-mm nozzle or bigger to avoid excessive clogging and also warns users about the abrasive nature of this filament.

• Diameters: 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm
• Density: ~1.30 g/cm³
• Bed temperature: 50 °C (not required)
• Hot end temperature: 200-230 °C
• Price: ~$30 for 0.5 kg (~$60/kg)

ProtoPasta Carbon Fiber

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Ziro is a small 3D printing company, but their carbon fiber filament is a big deal because it’s mixed with PLA. And, around $35 per kilogram, it’s a great bargain, too.

The exact percentage of carbon fiber in the filament isn’t mentioned. Given how similar it prints to normal PLA, the carbon fiber percentage is probably not above 10%. Ziro’s filament can be printed with temperatures only slightly higher than regular PLA and at the same speeds. However, it’s important to note that the reviews for this product indicate that clogging is a common occurrence.

• Diameter: 1.75 mm
• Density: Not specified
• Bed temperature: 50-60 °C
• Hot end temperature: 200-230 °C
• Price: ~$29 for 0.8 kg (~$35/kg)

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Braskem has recently gained traction thanks to its high-grade polymer offering. Polypropylene doesn’t typically see much use in the 3D printing space, despite its great price-to-performance ratio. FL900PP-CF incorporates an undisclosed amount of recycled chopped fibers in an overall lighter (0.91 g/cm³) blend. From a technical standpoint, PP CF offers some great benefits, including high impact and chemical resistance, service temperatures up to 150°C, and no drying required.

In reality, printing PP is far from a dream. It’s prone to warping and poor adhesion, doesn’t play well with intricate and detailed geometries, and is extremely dependent on temperature changes to reach its full potential. While Braskem claims to have addressed most of these issues, it’s still not a material a beginner or intermediate user should buy. For those brave enough to try, take a look at our ultimate guide to polypropylene 3D printing.

• Diameters: 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm
• Density: ~0.91 g/cm³
• Bed temperature: 80 °C
• Hot end temperature: 240-260 °C
• Price: ~$75 for 0.75 kg (~$100/kg)

Braskem FL900PP-CF

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Nanovia offers an entire lineup of carbon-reinforced filaments, ranging from ABS and PETG to Ultem 1010 and PEKK. One product that stands out is the PEI-CF blend. Cheaper than Ultem 1010 (which constitutes the base material for the mix), it has similar specifications while surpassing natural PEI. This is due in great part thanks to the undisclosed carbon fiber content.

The printing process is not simple. Nanovia recommends printing in an enclosed system with air extraction or wearing adequate respiratory protection equipment. The extrusion temperature is between 380 and 420 °C, which puts it outside the reach of most printers. Even prosumers with custom-made machines will have a hard time printing this polymer. The cost will also be a barrier for most.

• Diameters: 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm
• Density: ~1.27 g/cm³
• Bed temperature: 140 °C
• Hot end temperature: 380-420 °C
• Price: ~$160 for 0.5 kg (~$320/kg)