Carbon fibre filament has a reputation for being difficult, which is mostly earned by carbon fibre nylon and PC. PLA CF is the exception: it prints at normal PLA temperatures on a normal printer, and asks for exactly one change, a hardened nozzle.
What you get in return is a part that is stiffer, more dimensionally stable and considerably better looking than standard PLA.
Stiff is not the same as strong
This distinction matters, and it is where most disappointment with carbon fibre filament comes from.
Chopped carbon fibre makes a part stiffer, meaning it resists bending and holds its shape under load. It does not make it tougher. In fact the fibres interrupt the polymer matrix, so PLA CF is typically more brittle than plain PLA and will snap rather than bend when it finally fails.
So: choose PLA CF when deflection is the problem. Choose PLA+ when breakage is the problem. If you need both stiffness and toughness, you are looking at PA6 nylon.
EMBERFORM PLA CF at a glance
| Diameter | 1.75 mm (±0.03 mm) |
| Net weight | 1 kg |
| Spool length | ~340 m |
| Nozzle temperature | 190-230 °C |
| Bed temperature | 50-80 °C |
| Price | $22 per spool |
Standard PLA temperatures work well. Run full cooling for crisp detail. A hardened or wear-resistant nozzle is required, because carbon fibre will destroy a brass nozzle quickly.
Where it earns its price
Frames, structural brackets, RC and drone components, tooling, jigs and display pieces. Anywhere a standard PLA part visibly flexes when it should not.
It is also lightweight and very low-warp, and the matte finish hides layer lines about as well as matte PLA does, which makes it a popular choice for parts that are both functional and visible.
Practical requirements
- Hardened nozzle, not optional. Carbon fibre is abrasive and will widen a brass nozzle within a spool or two, quietly ruining your dimensional accuracy.
- Consider a 0.5 mm or 0.6 mm nozzle. CF filaments clog more easily than plain PLA, and a wider nozzle removes most of that risk.
- No enclosure needed and warping is minimal, so large flat parts are practical.
Buy it in Lebanon
EMBERFORM PLA CF is $22 for a 1 kg spool, in stock and shipping across Lebanon for a flat $5, typically in 3-4 days. We accept Cash on Delivery and Whish.
Not sure this is the right material? The filament materials guide compares every EMBERFORM filament side by side, or browse engineering filaments and display filaments.