Carbon Fiber PLA (Chopped)
Generic / House Brand
200–230
°C
Print Temp
50–60
°C
Bed Temp
50
°C
Max Service
Overview
PLA matrix with 10-20% chopped carbon fiber reinforcement. Significantly increases flexural stiffness over unfilled PLA while reducing weight. Matte black surface with visible fiber texture. More abrasive than any standard filament — hardened nozzle is not optional.
Properties
Difficulty
intermediate
Flexibility
rigid
Layer Adhesion
good
Enclosure
no
Heated Bed
recommended
Dry Storage
recommended
Pros
- Significantly stiffer than standard PLA (30-50% increase in flexural modulus)
- Lighter than metal alternatives
- Reduced warping vs standard PLA
- Matte black aesthetic — hides layer lines
- Better dimensional stability
- Strong for drone and RC applications
Cons
- REQUIRES hardened steel nozzle — destroys brass in < 1 roll
- More brittle than standard PLA — fails without yield warning
- Reduced impact resistance
- Weak in Z-axis (chopped fiber doesn't bridge layers)
- More expensive
- Black only
- Cannot use standard brass nozzle
Best For
- Drone components and frames|RC car structural parts|Lightweight functional brackets|Robotics parts|Cosplay armor panels|Engineering prototypes requiring stiffness
Avoid For
- Standard brass nozzles|Impact-prone applications|Parts needing flex|Threaded inserts (brittle)|Food contact
Storage
Store in sealed dry container with desiccant. Less hygroscopic than standard PLA but benefits from dry storage. Use hardened steel nozzle (0.4mm recommended, 0.6mm preferred for longevity). Print 10-15% slower than standard PLA.
Brands
Proto-pasta Carbon Fiber PLA3DXTech Carbon Fiber PLAColorFabb CarbonFillPolymaker PolyMax CF