"Carbon" sounds like enough of a description, but it's not. Carbon fibre is added to a variety of base plastics, each of which retains its own character. PLA-CF, PETG-CF, ASA-CF and nylon with carbon are not four names of the same material. They solve different tasks and have different prices.
The same goes for fibreglass. ABS-GF and PA6-GF are composites, but one starts from ABS and the other from nylon. Therefore, the choice should start from the working conditions of the part, not from the most impressive abbreviation in the list.
First choose the base, then the fibres
PLA-CF is PLA with carbon fibre. It is stiffer, has a matt technical surface and prints without deformation. It is suitable when you are looking for stiffness and a technical appearance, but the task remains within the limits of PLA.
PETG-CF combines the stiffness of carbon fibre with the toughness of the PETG. Its practical applications are functional clamps and holders.
ASA-CF is for stiff parts used outdoors. Here, the ASA base is important for outdoor work, and the fibres add stiffness. If external conditions are not part of the task, there is no reason to choose the material just because of its name.
PET-CF is aimed at high strength and temperature resistance after drying. This condition is important: the preparation of the material is part of the predictable result, not a detail that can be omitted.
When nylon makes sense
Nylon composites start where toughness, wear resistance or more serious stiffness is needed.
PA6-GF is nylon with glass fibres. It is tough and wear-resistant, so it is designed for gears and sliding parts. PA6-CF replaces glass with carbon fibre and combines toughness with stiffness for highly stressed parts.
PAHT-CF is a high temperature nylon with carbon. It is designed for continuous operation at temperatures where ordinary plastics soften. PPA-CF is an industrial polyphthalamide with carbon and is the highest grade we print. At low loads, its strength is close to that of metal parts. This clarification is important: the material does not turn every printed form into a metal part and does not override the specific load check.
Carbon does not fix an inappropriate model
A composite can impart stiffness, toughness or resilience depending on its base, but the printed part is still built up in layers. The direction of loading relative to these layers remains decisive. If the force tries to unstick them, the expensive material alone does not solve the problem.
Geometry also matters. A wall, joint, or opening must be designed for the actual operation of the part. Therefore, with a loaded part, it is important to indicate how it is mounted, where the force is coming from, and whether there are surfaces that slide against each other. Thus, the material and the orientation can be selected at the same time.
If the part carries human weight, takes regular shocks, or is a load-bearing element in a machine, the FDM print should not automatically be accepted as a substitute for a metal or cast part. In such a case, printing may be suitable for prototyping and form checking, but the final decision depends on the task.
The real prices per gram
The difference between the materials is already visible in the material cost in the quote:
| Material | Price |
|---|---:|
| PLA-CF | 0.06 €/g |
| PETG-CF | 0.07 €/g |
| ABS-GF | 0.06 €/g |
| ASA-CF | 0.07 €/g |
| PET-CF | €0.09/g |
| PA6-GF | 0.11 €/g |
| PA6-CF | 0.13 €/g |
| PAHT-CF | 0.16 €/g |
| PPA-CF | 0.27 €/g |
This is not the final price of the part. Machine time of €1.70/hour, preparation and minimum fee are added to the material, and VAT is 20%. The height of the model, the supports and the selected quality affect the time. Therefore, cheaper material does not always result in the lowest quote if the model is difficult to print.
A practical choice
For a matt technical surface and a stiffer PLA, check out the PLA-CF. For functional clamps and holders — PETG-CF. For a stiff outdoor part — ASA-CF. For gears and sliding parts — PA6-GF. For a combination of toughness and stiffness under heavy load — PA6-CF. In constant heat, the choice shifts to the PAHT-CF, and the PPA-CF remains the specialist industrial option.
You do not have to decipher the abbreviations on your own. When sending the model, describe the load, temperature, environment and method of installation. If a simple material does the job, we'll say so; if a composite is needed, we will choose the base according to the task.
View all materials, read why orientation decides strength or upload model for quote.