PLA-CF · reinforced grade
PLA-CF-CF20
Properties of the CF20 condition, compared with the other PLA-CF grades.
Maximum stiffness and lowest CTE/warp for jigs, drone frames and dimensional fixtures; very brittle and highly abrasive, needs ruby/carbide nozzle and ≥0.5 mm bore.
What is PLA-CF-CF20?
PLA-CF-CF20 is PLA-CF in the CF20 grade — maximum stiffness and lowest CTE/warp for jigs, drone frames and dimensional fixtures; very brittle and highly abrasive, needs ruby/carbide nozzle and ≥0.5 mm bore. PLA-CF-CF20 has a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi), stronger than 51% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 1.2% and the elastic modulus is 8 GPa (1.16 Msi). PLA-CF-CF20 has a density of 1.31 g/cm³ (0.0473 lb/in³), heavier than 71% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 58°C (136 °F). CF15 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CF20 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.2%, better than 95% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.35 W/m·K (0.202 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 91% of polymer grades
- Stiff — 8 GPa (1.16 Msi), better than 90% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 1.2%, worse than 98% of polymer grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 55/100, worse than 96% of polymer grades
- Hard to polish — 20/100, worse than 95% of polymer grades
- Limited service temperature — 55°C (131 °F), worse than 91% of polymer grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 87% of polymer grades
PLA-CF-CF20 properties
Typical room-temperature values for PLA-CF-CF20 — 12 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every PLA-CF grade. Each bar shows where the value sits among the polymer grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical5
PLA-CF-CF20 has a density of 1.31 g/cm³ (0.0473 lb/in³), heavier than 71% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 58°C (136 °F).
Mechanical10
PLA-CF-CF20 has a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi), stronger than 51% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 1.2% and the elastic modulus is 8 GPa (1.16 Msi).
Thermal11
PLA-CF-CF20 is rated for continuous service to 55°C (131 °F). It conducts heat at 0.35 W/m·K (0.202 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 91% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 32 µm/m·K (17.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
PLA-CF-CF20 has an electrical resistivity of 1×10⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 96% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PLA-CF-CF20 takes about 85 MJ of energy and emits 4.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 79% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability8
PLA-CF-CF20's machinability is fair (52/100, worse than 71% of polymer grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other PLA-CF grades and fills
PLA-CF is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the PLA-CF overview.
- CF15DefaultThe mainstream PLA-CF filament loading: best balance of stiffness, matte finish, low warp and printability with a hardened 0.4–0.6 mm nozzle.52 MPa tensile
- PELLETSame CF-PLA compound supplied as pellets for large-format pellet printers or injection molding; molded properties are higher and more isotropic than printed filament.70 MPa tensile
- CF10Pick when you want the matte look and reduced warp of CF PLA but need better flow, less nozzle wear and more residual toughness.55 MPa tensile
- HTPLA-CFNucleated PLA (often PLLA/stereocomplex) + CF that can be oven-annealed to crystallize, raising usable temperature well above Tg; choose for parts that see 80–120 °C.55 MPa tensile
- CF20Maximum stiffness and lowest CTE/warp for jigs, drone frames and dimensional fixtures; very brittle and highly abrasive, needs ruby/carbide nozzle and ≥0.5 mm bore.48 MPa tensile
- CF-TOUGHPLA-CF blended with an impact modifier or co-polyester (the common 'PLA Blend CF' / 'Tough PLA-CF' filaments) when brittleness of straight CF PLA is the failure mode.45 MPa tensile
Working with PLA-CF-CF20
Is PLA-CF easy to machine?
Drills, mills and turns easily with sharp carbide and high rpm/low feed, but the fiber is abrasive and the 55 °C Tg means dry cutting, air blast and no coolant heat — use dust extraction for CF particulate.
Can PLA-CF be welded?
Not a structural weld candidate; use hot-plate/ultrasonic staking for light joints or cyanoacrylate/epoxy bonding after abrading the fiber-rich skin (acetone does not solvent-weld PLA).
Can PLA-CF be formed, bent or molded?
Print at 200–230 °C with a hardened/ruby ≥0.4 mm nozzle, bed 45–60 °C, dried filament (45 °C, 4 h); fiber cuts warp and stringing but raises nozzle wear and clog risk — avoid tight bowden paths and keep retraction low.
What surface finishes work on PLA-CF?
Comes off the printer matte black and hides layer lines; light sanding, bead-blasting or a matte clear coat is the practical route — it cannot be polished to gloss, vapor-smoothed, or painted well without primer.
PLA-CF chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| carbon fiber (chopped/milled)PAN-based short fiber, 50–150 µm typical length after compounding | 5 – 20 | 15 |
| impact modifier / co-polyesterpresent only in tough/blend grades | 0 – 10 | 0 |
| nucleating agent, chain extender, procestalc/nucleant for annealable grades, lubricant for extrusion | 0.2 – 2 | 1 |
| polylactic acid (PLA/PLLA)Ingeo-type L-lactide polyester matrix; HTPLA grades use nucleated/high-L-content PLA | ≥ 78 (balance) | — |
PLA-CF-CF20 — frequently asked
What is PLA-CF-CF20 used for?
PLA-CF-CF20 is typically used for stiff prototypes, jigs & fixtures and drone frames. In short: stiff carbon-filled PLA.
What is the tensile strength of PLA-CF-CF20?
PLA-CF-CF20 has a typical tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) — stronger than 51% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is PLA-CF-CF20 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (52/100, worse than 71% of polymer grades). Drills, mills and turns easily with sharp carbide and high rpm/low feed, but the fiber is abrasive and the 55 °C Tg means dry cutting, air blast and no coolant heat — use dust extraction for CF particulate.
Can PLA-CF-CF20 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Not a structural weld candidate; use hot-plate/ultrasonic staking for light joints or cyanoacrylate/epoxy bonding after abrading the fiber-rich skin (acetone does not solvent-weld PLA).
What surface finishes work on PLA-CF-CF20?
Comes off the printer matte black and hides layer lines; light sanding, bead-blasting or a matte clear coat is the practical route — it cannot be polished to gloss, vapor-smoothed, or painted well without primer.
Can PLA-CF-CF20 be formed, bent or molded?
Print at 200–230 °C with a hardened/ruby ≥0.4 mm nozzle, bed 45–60 °C, dried filament (45 °C, 4 h); fiber cuts warp and stringing but raises nozzle wear and clog risk — avoid tight bowden paths and keep retraction low.
What is the maximum service temperature of PLA-CF-CF20?
PLA-CF-CF20 is rated for continuous use to about 55°C (131 °F), and briefly to 70°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in PLA-CF-CF20?
Yes — PLA-CF-CF20 is available for 3D printing with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Carbon Fiber HTPLA / Carbon Fiber PLA filament technical data — Proto-pasta (ProtoPlant) (2023)
- PolyLite PLA-CF / PolyMide series TDS — Polymaker (2024)
- PLA-CF filament technical data sheet — Bambu Lab (2024)
- Ingeo Biopolymer 3D / 4043D technical data — NatureWorks (2022)
- ASTM D638 / D790 / D256 test methods for plastics — ASTM International (2022)
- CAMPUS / UL Prospector PLA compound property records — CWFG / UL (2024)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.