PC-CF: carbon-fibre polycarbonate parts
Polycarbonate reinforced with chopped carbon fibre. It is stiffer than PETG or ABS, keeps its shape at higher temperatures, and has a matte finish that hides layer lines. It is our first recommendation for working parts: jigs and fixtures, brackets, mounts and anything that carries load or sits near heat.
It is the material we steer engineering buyers to first. If a part has to hold its shape under load or near heat, start here.
Instant online quote.
No CAD file? Start a design request
Properties
- Very stiff
- Tough
- Good heat resistance
- Matte finish
What PC-CF is used for
- Jigs and fixtures - Soft jaws, drill guides, locating nests and assembly fixtures that stay stiff in use.
- Brackets and mounts - Structural brackets, sensor mounts and housings that carry load.
- Engine-bay and warm parts - Parts that sit near motors, engines, lights or other heat sources.
- Production-line tooling - Guides, stops and fixtures for repeated use on a line.
Things to know
- The chopped carbon fibre gives a matte, slightly textured surface that hides layer lines well.
- Because it is so stiff, it is not the material for parts that must flex, such as living hinges, seals or snap fits that bend a long way. PETG or TPU suit those better.
- Like every FDM part, a PC-CF part is strongest along its layers, so we orient the part to suit the load it carries.
Case study
Throttle cable holder for a custom rocker cover - This engine-bay part was printed in polycarbonate, the base polymer of PC-CF, for heat resistance and dimensional stability.
Manufacturer datasheets
We do not publish strength or temperature figures of our own. For numbers, use the filament manufacturer's datasheet for the grade we print: ask us which one it is. Datasheet values are measured on test specimens, and a printed part's properties vary with print orientation and settings, so tell us what the part has to do and we will recommend a material and orientation.