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Nylon PA12 + CF / GF filament

Nylon reinforced with carbon or glass fibre: stiffer, more dimensionally stable and more heat-resistant than plain PA12.

Nylon PA12 + CF and PA12 + GF are nylon filaments with 15% carbon fibre or 15% glass fibre. The fibres make tough PA12 much stiffer and more dimensionally stable, with less shrinkage. You use them to print light, strong parts that can replace metal, such as brackets, drone parts and jigs. Below you will find PA12 + CF in black and PA12 + GF in several colours. Below the products you can read which variant suits your application. Read more…

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What are PA12-CF and PA12-GF?

Both filaments are based on Fiberlogy Nylon PA12, with 15% short fibres added. The nylon provides toughness and chemical resistance, the fibres stiffness and dimensional stability. According to Fiberlogy, PA12 + CF has twice the tensile strength and more than twice the stiffness of plain PA12, and withstands temperatures up to 160 °C. PA12 + GF is slightly more flexible and copes better with varying loads and shocks.

CF or GF: which should you choose?

PropertyPA12 + CFPA12 + GF
Fibre15% carbon fibre15% glass fibre
CharacterVery stiff and lightStiff, but more shock-resistant
AppearanceMatte blackSeveral colours, including natural
Suitable forDrone parts, brackets, replacing metal partsParts exposed to vibration or impacts, jigs and fixtures

Printing PA12-CF and PA12-GF

  • Nozzle: 255–270 °C, hardened steel or ruby. The fibres wear out a brass nozzle quickly.
  • Print bed: PA12 + CF 100 °C, PA12 + GF 90–110 °C, with a thin layer of glue stick on PEI.
  • Enclosure: thanks to its low shrinkage, PA12 + GF can also be printed without an enclosure, according to Fiberlogy.
  • Drying: reinforced nylon absorbs moisture too. Dry the spool before printing and store it with silica gel beads.

Something going wrong? Our article on solving common 3D printing problems covers the most common problems and their solutions.

Pros and cons of fibre-reinforced nylon

Advantages

  • Much stiffer than plain PA12, yet light
  • Less shrinkage, so less warping and more accurate dimensions
  • Resists high temperatures and chemicals
  • Matte surface on which layer lines hardly show

Disadvantages

  • Abrasive: a hardened nozzle is required
  • Absorbs moisture, just like plain nylon
  • Less ductile than unfilled nylon PA12, which is better suited to clips and hinges

Applications

  • Prototypes: car parts, drones and mechanical components.
  • Replacing metal: brackets, frames and holders.
  • Production: jigs, fixtures and tools.

Reinforced nylon is part of our technical filament. Looking for a fibre-reinforced filament that is easier to print? Take a look at PETG + CF.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is the difference between PA-CF and PA12-CF?

    PA-CF is the general name for nylon with carbon fibre. The nylon can be PA6, PA66 or PA12. PA12-CF absorbs less moisture than PA6-CF and therefore holds its dimensions better, although PA6-CF is often slightly stiffer. Our PA-CF filament is Fiberlogy Nylon PA12 + CF.

  • Do I need a hardened nozzle for carbon fibre nylon?

    Yes. Carbon and glass fibre wear away the inside of a brass nozzle. The opening gets larger, so your printer extrudes less accurately and less evenly. Fiberlogy recommends a hardened steel or ruby nozzle. It lasts much longer and is also suitable for other fibre-reinforced filaments.

  • Is PA12-CF antistatic?

    According to Fiberlogy, Nylon PA12 + CF has ESD properties, provided you use the right print settings and maintain a correct print structure. So it is not a guaranteed ESD material. If a part definitely has to be antistatic, choose ESD-safe filament.

  • Is carbon fibre nylon better than PETG-CF?

    That depends on the application. PA12 + CF is tougher and better at withstanding high temperatures and chemicals; according to Fiberlogy up to 160 °C. PETG + CF is easier to print, at lower temperatures, and less sensitive to moisture. For parts that get hot or take heavy mechanical loads, choose PA12 + CF.

  • What colour is PA12-CF?

    PA12 + CF is only available in black: the carbon fibre colours the material. The surface is matte and technical. If you want a different colour, choose PA12 + GF. Glass fibre is colourless, which is why that variant also comes in natural and other colours.