Filament Atlas

PLA-CF

Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Polylactic Acid

19 products from 17 makers. Bambu Lab sells its own filament of this material for the H2C.

Tensile modulus (XY)
2.8GPa
0.210 (log)
7 products · middle half 2.26–3.65
Tensile strength (XY)
42.3MPa
0125
10 products · middle half 39.3–47
Tensile strength (Z)
25.3MPa
060
5 products · middle half 24.1–26
Notched Charpy impact
6.08kJ/m²
150 (log)
2 products · 5.5–6.65
HDT at 0.45 MPa
55°C
50300
6 products · middle half 55–57
Price
40CAD/kg
0300
2 products · 40–41

PLA-CF is carbon-fibre-filled PLA. Makers sell it for functional parts, design projects and everyday prototyping, and describe a matt surface with a carbon-fibre look. It is amorphous as printed, so it softens at its glass transition: its HDT at 0.45 MPa is 55.4 °C. On the H2C every product needs a hardened nozzle, but it prints at 200–230 °C with no heated chamber.

Partly documented Notched Charpy impact and price rest on 2 products each. Each figure is the median of the products that publish it comparably, and beside it the middle half of them; a value on a test bar no document describes as printed, or with no stated test load, is set apart, except a heat deflection of a plastic that cannot crystallise, which its glass transition sets, unless its document points to a moulded or resin bar. For notched impact, products sold as toughened are shown but kept out of the median.

Nozzle
200⁠–⁠230 °C
most products that give one
Bed
50⁠–⁠60 °C
most products that give one
Heated chamber
none needed
15 of 19 products
Drying
40–65 °C, 2–8 h
most advise it only for wet filament
Nozzle type
hardened
8 of 19 products' sheets ask for one; the Bambu Lab Filament Guide says hardened for 10 more; the rest are silent

No product's setting is beyond the H2C's limits: nozzle 350 °C, bed 120 °C, heated chamber 65 °C.

Among the materials

Carbon fibre adds little to PLA's heat resistance: PLA-CF's HDT at 0.45 MPa is 55 °C against 56 °C. Against PETG-CF, PLA-CF is 24 % less stiff and 24 % less tough in notched impact, and its HDT at 0.45 MPa is 17 °C lower. Among the materials, PLA-CF has a low HDT at 0.45 MPa and price: both are in the lowest quarter of the materials that publish them. The rest of its key properties sit in the middle half.

PLA-CF is stiffer than PLA and PETG-GF but is weaker flat than PLA, PLA-GF and PETG-CF and others

How does it compare with what an engineer would buy instead?

  • PLA-CF: its products' median and middle half
  • an alternative
  • lowest to highest
  • each material's median (top row)
All materials
PLA-CF19 products
PLA196 products
PLA-GF4 products
PETG-CF24 products
ASA-CF17 products
PETG-GF5 products
Modulus (XY)GPa, log scale
Strength (XY)MPa
Strength (Z)MPa
Notched CharpykJ/m², log scale
HDT 0.45 MPa°C
PriceCAD/kg

Each row is a material, each column a property: the bar is the middle half of a material's products, the tick their median, the hairline their lowest to highest; the ticks above the rows are every material's median.

The figure as a table
MaterialModulus (XY) (GPa)Strength (XY) (MPa)Strength (Z) (MPa)Notched Charpy (kJ/m²)HDT 0.45 MPa (°C)Price (CAD/kg)
PLA-CF (this material)2.8 (2.26⁠–⁠3.65) · 742.3 (39.3⁠–⁠47) · 1025.3 (24.1⁠–⁠26) · 56.08 · 255 (55⁠–⁠57) · 640 · 2
PLA2.58 (2⁠–⁠2.88) · 6145 (39.5⁠–⁠53) · 8330.3 (22.1⁠–⁠34) · 406 (3.97⁠–⁠7.9) · 1456 (53⁠–⁠58) · 5033 (28⁠–⁠40) · 27
PLA-GF—46 · 1———41 · 0
PETG-CF3.7 (2.93⁠–⁠4.08) · 1149.4 (43⁠–⁠53.7) · 1228.5 (27⁠–⁠32) · 48 (4⁠–⁠15.7) · 572 (71⁠–⁠75) · 1141 · 3
ASA-CF3.91 (2.35⁠–⁠4.43) · 639.1 (39⁠–⁠45.8) · 727.5 (23⁠–⁠30.3) · 45.76 · 3101 (97⁠–⁠103) · 565 (54⁠–⁠120) · 5
PETG-GF2.33 · 345 · 326.6 · 2—76 · 137 · 1

Each cell is the median of the products ranked, its middle half in brackets, and how many.

How the numbers are worked out

Where PLA-CF sits among the 128 rigid materials on file

Where is it in the landscape: stiffness against strength, heat resistance against price?

  • PLA-CF: median, middle half as a cross
  • a PLA-CF product
  • an alternative
  • another material
  • beyond the scale

Tensile strength (XY) against tensile modulus (XY)

MPa, log scale

51020501002000.20.512510PLA-CFPETG-CFASA-CFPETG-GF

Tensile modulus (XY), GPa, log scale

HDT at 0.45 MPa against price

°C

501001502002503002050100200500PLA-CFPLAPETG-CFASA-CFPETG-GF

Price, CAD/kg, log scale

Grey points are every other rigid material's medians; the alternatives are named.

The figure as a table
MaterialTensile modulus (XY)Tensile strength (XY)PriceHDT at 0.45 MPa
PLA-CF (this material)2.8 GPa · 742.3 MPa · 1040 CAD/kg · 255 °C · 6
PLA2.58 GPa · 6145 MPa · 8333 CAD/kg · 2756 °C · 50
PLA-GF—46 MPa · 141 CAD/kg · 0—
PETG-CF3.7 GPa · 1149.4 MPa · 1241 CAD/kg · 372 °C · 11
ASA-CF3.91 GPa · 639.1 MPa · 765 CAD/kg · 5101 °C · 5
PETG-GF2.33 GPa · 345 MPa · 337 CAD/kg · 176 °C · 1

How the numbers are worked out

Mechanical properties

Printed flat (XY), PLA-CF typically reaches a tensile strength of 42.3 MPa at a modulus of 2.8 GPa, and breaks at 6.65 % elongation. In bending, its flexural strength is typically 85 MPa at a flexural modulus of 4.07 GPa.

PLA-CF's products spread most in elongation at break: the middle half runs 4.33⁠–⁠11 %

How strong, stiff and tough are its products, and which stand out?

  • a product
  • set apart: test bar not described as printed, or no stated load
  • middle half and median
  • beyond the scale
Tensile strength (XY)scale 30–70 MPa · 15 products, 10 in the median
Polymaker Polylite PLA CFSpectrum PLA Carbon3040506070
Tensile modulus (XY)GPa, log scale · 10 products, 7 in the median
Flashforge PLACF100.20.512510
Tensile strength (Z)MPa · 5 products, all in the median
Polymaker Polylite PLA CF0204060
Elongation at break (XY)%, log scale · 14 products, 10 in the median
Spectrum PLA CarbonPolymaker Polylite PLA CF125102050100200500

One mark per product on each property's scale (zoomed where its products sit close together, as its label says); the band is the middle half of the products the median counts, and the line the median.

Hover or select a product to find it in every figure; its name opens its card on the Products page.

The figure as a table
PropertyIn the medianMedianMiddle halfLowest in the medianHighest in the medianAs publishedAdded filler or additive
Tensile strength (XY) (MPa)1042.339.3⁠–⁠47Polymaker Polylite PLA CF, 31.2Spectrum PLA Carbon, 6550
Tensile modulus (XY) (GPa)72.82.26⁠–⁠3.65Flashforge PLACF10, 1.13DXTECH CarbonX CF-PLA, 4.9530
Tensile strength (Z) (MPa)525.324.1⁠–⁠26Polymaker Polylite PLA CF, 15.1CreatBot PLA-CF, 3400
Elongation at break (XY) (%)106.654.33⁠–⁠11Spectrum PLA Carbon, 0.5Polymaker Polylite PLA CF, 1340

Every PLA-CF product that publishes these values is drawn; each value, with its document and conditions, is on the Products page.

How the numbers are worked out

ProductNotched Charpy impactNotched Izod impact
Bambu Lab PLA-CF7.6 kJ/m²not published
Spectrum PLA Carbon8 kJ/m²not described as printednot published
Polymaker Polylite PLA5.5 kJ/m²not published
Extrudr PLA BASIC CF5 kJ/m²not described as printednot published
SUNLU PLA Carbon Fibernot published3.5 kJ/m²
SIDDAMENT PLA Carbonnot published4.1 kJ/m²not described as printed
QIDI PLA-CF6.65 kJ/m²not published
Nobufil PLAx CFnot published4 kJ/m²orientation not stated
iSANMATE PLA CF3 kJ/m²not described as printednot published
3DJake ecoPLA CF5 kJ/m²not described as printednot published

Across the layers (Z), PLA-CF keeps 58 % of its flat strength and 77 % of its flat stiffness

What does a printed part lose across the layers (Z) against flat (XY), and is that usual?

  • a product
  • equal share: 100, 75, 50 and 25 %
  • PLA-CF's median share
  • an alternative

Tensile strength

Z keeps 58 % of XY, median of 5 products

02040600204060100 %75 %50 %25 %

flat (XY), MPa

0 %50 %100 %

Share kept: PETG-CF 69 % · PLA 60 % · ASA-CF 60 % · PLA-CF 58 % · PETG-GF 47 %

Tensile modulus

Z keeps 77 % of XY, median of 5 products

012345012345100 %75 %50 %25 %

flat (XY), GPa

0 %50 %100 %

Share kept: PETG-GF 90 % · PLA 89 % · PLA-CF 77 % · PETG-CF 71 % · ASA-CF 56 %

Elongation at break

Z keeps 43 % of XY, median of 5 products

0.512510200.51251020100 %75 %50 %25 %

flat (XY), %, log scale on both axes

0 %50 %100 %

Share kept: ASA-CF 91 % · PETG-GF 89 % · PLA 59 % · PETG-CF 45 % · PLA-CF 43 %

Each point is a product that publishes both from one sheet: below the 100 % ray it keeps less across the layers than flat. Under each plot, the median share its alternatives' products keep.

The figure as a table
ProductPropertyFlat (XY)Across (Z)Z as a share of XY
Bambu Lab PLA-CFTensile strength38 MPa26 MPa68 %
Polymaker Polylite PLA CFTensile strength31.2 MPa15.1 MPa48 %
Eryone PLA-CFTensile strength43.5 MPa25.3 MPa, Z (X-Z)58 %
QIDI PLA-CFTensile strength54.9 MPa24.1 MPa44 %
CreatBot PLA-CFTensile strength41 MPa34 MPa83 %
Bambu Lab PLA-CFTensile modulus2.79 GPa2.16 GPa77 %
Polymaker Polylite PLA CFTensile modulus3.28 GPa2.21 GPa67 %
Eryone PLA-CFTensile modulus1.73 GPa1.35 GPa, Z (X-Z)78 %
QIDI PLA-CFTensile modulus4.02 GPa2.95 GPa73 %
CreatBot PLA-CFTensile modulus2.8 GPa2.2 GPa79 %
Bambu Lab PLA-CFElongation at break8.4 %3.6 %43 %
Polymaker Polylite PLA CFElongation at break13 %0.9 %7 %
Eryone PLA-CFElongation at break4.5 %3.1 %, Z (X-Z)69 %
QIDI PLA-CFElongation at break4.9 %1.01 %21 %
CreatBot PLA-CFElongation at break12 %7.6 %62 %
PLA (alternative)Tensile strength60 % · 39
PETG-CF (alternative)Tensile strength69 % · 3
ASA-CF (alternative)Tensile strength60 % · 4
PETG-GF (alternative)Tensile strength47 % · 1
PLA (alternative)Tensile modulus89 % · 29
PETG-CF (alternative)Tensile modulus71 % · 3
ASA-CF (alternative)Tensile modulus56 % · 4
PETG-GF (alternative)Tensile modulus90 % · 1
PLA (alternative)Elongation at break59 % · 35
PETG-CF (alternative)Elongation at break45 % · 3
ASA-CF (alternative)Elongation at break91 % · 3
PETG-GF (alternative)Elongation at break89 % · 1

How the numbers are worked out

Flat and across the layers, property by property

Flat and across the layers

PropertyPrinted flat (XY)Across the layers (Z)Z as a share of XY
MedianProductsMedianProducts
Tensile strength MPa42.339.3⁠–⁠471025.324.1⁠–⁠265
Tensile modulus GPa2.82.26⁠–⁠3.6572.22.16⁠–⁠2.215
Elongation at break %6.654.33⁠–⁠11103.11.01⁠–⁠3.65
Flexural strength MPa8579⁠–⁠89955.52
Flexural modulus GPa4.073.34⁠–⁠5.1382.432

The middle half of the products under each median. The share is each product's Z value as a part of its XY value, from one sheet and one state, and the median of those shares. How XY and Z differ.

Thermal properties

PLA-CF is amorphous as printed, so it softens at its glass transition, typically 60 °C: its HDT is 55 °C under 0.45 MPa and 50⁠–⁠54 °C under 1.8 MPa. As published, Vicat softening is typically 60 °C and melting typically 164 °C.

Most PLA-CF products deflect at 55⁠–⁠57 °C under 0.45 MPa

Where do its products soften under load?

  • a product
  • set apart: test bar not described as printed, or no stated load
  • middle half and median
  • beyond the scale
HDT at 0.45 MPascale 54–60 °C · 11 products, 6 in the median
Polymaker Polylite PLA CFFlashforge PLACF1054565860
Glass transition (Tg)scale 59–63 °C · 7 products, all in the median
SUNLU PLA Carbon FiberEryone PLA-CF5960616263
The figure as a table
PropertyIn the medianMedianMiddle halfLowest in the medianHighest in the medianAs publishedAdded filler or additive
HDT at 0.45 MPa (°C)65555⁠–⁠57Polymaker Polylite PLA CF, 54Flashforge PLACF10, 6050
Glass transition (Tg) (°C)76060⁠–⁠63SUNLU PLA Carbon Fiber, 59Eryone PLA-CF, 6300

Every PLA-CF product that publishes these values is drawn; each value, with its document and conditions, is on the Products page.

How the numbers are worked out

ProductHDT at 1.8 MPa
Bambu Lab PLA-CF54 °C
Polymaker Polylite PLA50 °C
Extrudr PLA BASIC CF57 °Cnot described as printed
QIDI PLA-CF53 °C

Printing on the H2C

PLA-CF softens near 55 °C, below the H2C's 65 °C chamber

What does printing it on the H2C take, and how hot can a part get?

  • share of the products that accept each temperature
  • what most products accept
  • the H2C's limit, and beyond it
  • a product
  • PLA-CF: its products' median and middle half
  • as published, under each sheet's own test

Printing it on the H2C

Nozzle200⁠–⁠230 °C, accepted by most of the 18 products that give a window · the H2C reaches 350 °C
Bed50⁠–⁠60 °C, accepted by most of the 18 products that give a window · the H2C reaches 120 °C
Heated chamber25⁠–⁠45 °C, accepted by most of the 4 products that give a window; 15 need none · the H2C reaches 65 °C
Drying40⁠–⁠65 °C, 2⁠–⁠8 h, 11 products

In service

HDT at 1.8 MPa3 products
53 °C
HDT at 0.45 MPa6 products
55 °C
Glass transition (Tg)7 products
60 °C
Vicat softening temperature8 products, as published
53⁠–⁠69 °C
Melting temperature6 products, as published
155⁠–⁠200 °C

°C

One temperature axis for the settings a print needs and the temperatures a part meets. A setting's shade is how many of the products whose sheets give a window accept each degree; the H2C's limit closes its row.

The figure as a table
Setting or propertyMost products, or the medianProductsH2C limit
Nozzle200⁠–⁠230 °C18350 °C
Bed50⁠–⁠60 °C18120 °C
Heated chamber25⁠–⁠45 °C465 °C
Drying40⁠–⁠65 °C, 2⁠–⁠8 h11—
HDT at 1.8 MPa53 °C3—
HDT at 0.45 MPa55 °C (55⁠–⁠57 °C)6—
Glass transition (Tg)60 °C (60⁠–⁠63 °C)7—
Vicat softening temperature53⁠–⁠69 °C8—
Melting temperature155⁠–⁠200 °C6—

Windows read from the Bambu Lab Filament Guide are not shaded: the guide speaks for every product that reads it.

How the numbers are worked out

SettingMost PLA-CF productsBambu Lab Filament Guide (PLA-CF column)
Nozzle200⁠–⁠230 °C most products that give one210 - 240 ℃
Bed50⁠–⁠60 °C most products that give oneSmooth PEI Plate (45 - 65 °C)
Textured PEI Plate (55 - 65 °C)
Cool Plate SuperTack (30-50 °C)
Heated chambernone; sheets that give one say 25⁠–⁠45 °C 15 of 19 productsenclosure not needed
Drying40⁠–⁠65 °C, 2⁠–⁠8 h most advise it only for wet filamentoptional: 55 °C for 8 h
Nozzle typehardened 8 of 19 products' sheets ask for one; the Bambu Lab Filament Guide says hardened for 10 more; the rest are silenthardened

Where a product's own sheet is silent, its setting comes from a sheet it shares or from the Bambu Lab Filament Guide; each product's card says which.

Hardened nozzle. 18 products need one: Bambu Lab PLA-CF, Spectrum THE FILAMENT PLA CF, Spectrum PLA Carbon, 3DXTECH CarbonX CF-PLA, Polymaker Polylite PLA CF, Extrudr PLA BASIC CF, SUNLU PLA Carbon Fiber and 11 more.

After printing

What makers say about printing it

Warping and shrinkage

Nozzle wear

More from makers: moisture sensitivity, printing advice, supports and removal, odour and emissions and adhesion between layers

Moisture sensitivity

  • Because of the addition of carbon fiber, PLACF10 filament absorbs moisture more easily than PLA filament, so it should be dried before being used. Flashforge PLACF10, data sheet, p. 3

Printing advice

  • After the printing process, it is recommended to dry the model in an oven at 60°C for 1-3 hours in order to increase the strength of the model. Flashforge PLACF10, data sheet, p. 3

Supports and removal

  • The support structure is strong to ensure the stability of the printing process, and it is easy to remove, ensuring the exquisiteness and smoothness of the finished product. Creality Hyper PLA-CF, data sheet, p. 1

Odour and emissions

Adhesion between layers

Products

19 products from 17 makers; the most from Protopasta (2) and Spectrum (2).

These are published values, not recommendations: the selector judges each product against your requirements.

Compare the 19 products

Uses, limitations and chemicals

What it is sold for

Finish and accuracy
  • The 10% addition of carbon fibre enables to obtain matte surfaces of printed items, which greatly improves the aesthetic properties of printed items. Spectrum PLA Carbon, data sheet, p. 1
  • The carbon fiber texture gives the work a unique and modern appearance, making it visually distinctive. Creality Hyper PLA-CF, data sheet, p. 1
  • Max particle size 0.15 mm (may limit resolution) Protopasta Original Carbon Fiber Composite PLA, data sheet, p. 1
  • High dimensional precision thanks to exact diameter and roundness tolerances 3DJake ecoPLA CF, maker's product page or guide, p. 1

Chemicals and environment

ExposureWhat makers say
Water solubilityInsoluble, in its one statement
Acid resistanceNot resistant, in 4 of 5 statements
Alkali resistanceNot resistant, in its one statement
Organic solvent resistanceLimited, in its one statement
Oil and grease resistanceLimited, in its one statement
FlammabilityFlammable, in its one statement

Makers rarely give the concentration, temperature or duration: treat them as indications, not design data. Each product's statements are on its card.

Resin reference data (for plain PLA, where no maker of these products speaks): it absorbs moisture and is dried before melt processing. Fillers, pigments and printing change this, so it does not stand for these products.

Density and price

PLA-CF's density is typically 1,250 kg/m³, the middle half 1,230⁠–⁠1,290 kg/m³, across 19 products. PLA-CF typically costs 40 CAD/kg, across the 2 products with a regular price in the sample; the lowest is eSUN ePLA CF at 40 CAD/kg. MakerWiz lists Protopasta Original Carbon Fiber Composite PLA, out of stock when sampled, with no regular price recorded.

ProductPrice
Bambu Lab PLA-CF41 CAD/kg
eSUN ePLA CF40 CAD/kg

Regular prices, never sale prices, from 9 Canadian shops and 10 foreign shops, sampled 10 Sep–20 Oct 2026, not live; shipping and tax are not included.

Other properties, as published

9 more properties are published, each under its own sheet's test conditions, so they are listed, not ranked.

The 9 properties, lowest to highest
PropertyProductsLowest–highest
Fibre content133⁠–⁠20 %
Melt mass-flow rate103.7⁠–⁠23.5 g/10 min
Water absorption80.1⁠–⁠0.7 %
Decomposition temperature2240⁠–⁠368 °C
Mould shrinkage20.2⁠–⁠1.1 %
Continuous service temperature155 °C
Hardness184 Shore (scale not specified by source)
Impact strength, test unclear14.75 kJ/m²
Melt volume-flow rate122 cm³/10 min

Sources

36 documents from 17 publishers (22 data sheets, 10 makers' product pages and guides, 3 safety data sheets and 1 printer document), read 10 Sep–19 Oct 2026. Each value on PLA-CF's Products page names its document and page, and links to the original.

Bambu Lab, H2C Filamant Printing Guide (the H2C's printer guide): print settings for 18 products.

The Bambu Lab Filament Guide (print settings per material type): read for 17 products whose own sheets are silent.

Every document (36), by publisher
PublisherDocumentsValuesProducts
Spectrum4162
Extrudr3331
Polymaker3331
3DXTECH391
SUNLU2271
Bambu Lab2221
CreatBot2191
Eryone2161
QIDI2141
3DJake281
eSUN281
Protopasta242
and 5 more publishers, with 5 documents