Carbon fiber has one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios of any material available today. This makes it one of the best options for manufacturers to make parts that are strong but still lightweight. The fibers themselves are composed of carbon atoms, whose crystal structure is arranged into strands that make the strands very strong under tension. 3D printing with carbon fiber can be difficult at times, but it offers advantages that are hard to find in any other material.
Carbon fiber is a difficult material to use for FDM 3D printing. First, carbon fiber is more resistant to heat, so you'll want to make sure the printhead is set to a higher temperature, around 220 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, since carbon fiber is stronger than steel, using a carbon fiber filament with a steel or brass printhead will actually start drilling holes in the nozzle. Therefore, it is important to use hardened steel nozzles, or even sapphire nozzles, to try and limit this severe wear. If you don't, you will have to change the nozzle every 500 grams or so. Another thing you have to do is use the flow and retraction features of the printer. Because this material is so tough, it can sometimes be difficult to maintain a good flow and surface finish, so adjusting your printer settings will help ensure you get the best possible print results. Once you dial in the right settings, you've got some nice looking parts. The surface finish on the carbon fiber parts looks great, as the toughness of the material really helps blend into those layer lines.
So these are the main things to keep in mind when printing with carbon fiber. While it takes some extra time to optimize the settings of your carbon fiber printing printer, you won't regret it because you'll end up with parts that not only look better, but function better and last longer. So if you're looking to expand the materials you print with, consider buying some carbon fiber. We are sure you won't regret it.
