Polyethylene terephthalate glycol is a mouthful, so we’re going to refer to this versatile material as PETG. The material is the most popular consumer plastic on the planet, and technically, the universe. We use PETG in everything from water bottles to kitchen utensils. One reason PETG is so popular is that it’s strong, semi-flexible, and very easy to injection mold, blow-mold, thermoform, bend, cut, and (you guessed it) 3D print.
Carbon fiber-infused PETG is a doubly impressive material. By infusing fragments of carbon fibers into a PETG polymer base, the mechanical integrity of the PETG blend increases dramatically. Plus, the soft black matte appearance of carbon fiber filaments is just mesmerizing.
The Stringy Details
Carbon fiber, as the name implies, consists of long tiny strands (about 5-10 microns in diameter) of mostly carbon atoms. If these fibers are woven together, they form extremely light and durable weaves. Since carbon fiber filaments are infused with fragments of carbon fiber and not full strands or weaves, they will not perform as well as normal carbon fiber. However, improved strength and other factors (thermal properties, for example) are definitely influenced by the fiber fragment infusion.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to four great carbon fiber PETG filament brands. Although there are several options available, we’ve selected only the main brands – especially given that various companies resell filament from the same manufacturers.
Before we discuss the specific brands, though, let’s take a look at some 3D printing tips for this material blend. First and foremost, make sure to use hardened steel, ruby, or another wear-resistant nozzle. Carbon fiber filaments are extremely abrasive and will ruin your brass nozzle in a jiffy.
Carbon fiber PETG needs a hot nozzle, hot plate, slow speed, and low cooling to prevent warping and delamination. The following settings are a good starting place:
- Hot end temperature: 240-270 °C
- Print bed temperature: 70-85 °C
- Print speed: 30-50 mm/s
- Cooling: <15%
We’ll discuss more brand-specific settings for each filament individually. Further mechanical properties and printing suggestions are typically available in the filaments’ technical datasheet.
Kimya
Kimya is a well-known filament manufacturer that’s trusted by companies such as MatterHackers, Prusa Research, and Dynamism – all of whom sell Kimya’s carbon fiber-enhanced PETG filament. This particular filament boasts slightly lower printing temperatures and quicker print speeds, which may be a deciding factor when choosing between the available options.
In terms of the printing community, there are a few frustrated customers who weren’t able to dial in the settings quite right, but for the most part, reviews reflect buyers who are happy with its high strength-to-weight ratio.
- Hot end temperature: 220-270 °C
- Bed temperature: 70-85 °C
- Print Speed: 40-70 mm/s
- Diameters: 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm
- Price: ~$61 for a 500-g spool
3DXTech
With 4.9 stars and 71 reviews, this filament has a fan base. If you want to see happy customers, take a look at these reviews. The community prints look extremely impressive.
There was one complaint about diameter inconsistency. Besides that, makers are very satisfied with the mechanical and chemical integrity of this filament as well as its ease of printing.
- Hot end temperature: 230-260 °C
- Bed temperature: 70-90 °C
- Print speed: Not specified
- Diameters: 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm
- Price: ~$58 for a 750-g spool, ~$138 for a 2-kg spool
Fillamentum
Fillamentum is a fast-growing company that’s popular for developing high-quality materials for 3D printing enthusiasts and makers. If this is your first time experimenting with carbon fiber PETG, Fillamentum is a great place to start. Technically, their filament is a co-polyester (CPE), a broader category that includes PETG.
Fillamentum is typically more expensive than other brands, but their carbon CPE is right in line with the pricing of other brands on this list. Still, if you aren’t ready for a whole spool, don’t sweat. You can pick up a 15-m sample of this filament for ~$5.
- Hot end temperature: 255-270 °C
- Bed temperature: 70-85 °C
- Print speed: 30-50 mm/s
- Diameters: 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm
- Price: ~$61 for a 600-g spool; sample available
- Where to buy: Fillamentum
Atomic Filament
This next brand is a wonderful budget pick. You get double the material for about $10 less than typical prices. Atomic Filament has 42 reviews for this filament on its website, and all of them are five-star. “Strongest stuff I ever printed”, “killer PETG”, and “fantastic quality and finish” were a few of the many raving comments.
Despite the fanfare, it’s important to keep in mind that this type of filament will probably take more time to tune in for your machine than other filaments such as PLA.
- Hot end temperature: 240-265 °C
- Bed temperature: 60 – 78 °C
- Print speed: Not specified
- Diameters: 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm
- Price: ~$50 for a 1-kg spool
- Where to buy: Atomic Filament
Lead image source: An anonymous user via 3DXTech
License: The text of "The Best Carbon Fiber PETG Filaments" by All3DP Pro is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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