Carbon Fibre PA12 (Nylon) 3D Printing Filament

Carbon Fibre PA12 (Nylon) 3D Printing Filament

3D META's PA12-CF 3D printing filament pairs long-chain PA12 nylon with 10% chopped carbon fibre to give you a tough, dimensionally stable engineering material that is far more forgiving to print than PA6-based nylons. PA12 absorbs very little moisture, shrinks less and resists oils, fuels and most chemicals, while the carbon fibre adds the stiffness and surface finish that functional parts demand. It is the material of choice for end-use parts that need to survive real-world exposure — fuel-system components, pump housings, marine fittings and precision fixtures. Like all 3D META filaments, it is manufactured to strict quality standards and supplied on a recyclable plastic spool.

Key Features of PA12-CF 3D Printing Filament

• Low Moisture Absorption: PA12 takes up far less water than PA6, so parts stay strong and stable in humid environments and the filament is easier to keep print-ready.
• Excellent Dimensional Stability: Low shrinkage and minimal warping make it suitable for large parts and open-frame printers with a heated bed.
• Chemical and Fuel Resistance: Resists oils, greases, fuels and many solvents — ideal for automotive and industrial fluid-contact parts.
• Carbon Fibre Stiffness: Flexural modulus of 1,300–1,500 MPa and tensile strength of 50–55 MPa, with a hard, matte, fibre-flecked finish.
• Good Heat Resistance: Continuous use temperature of 120°C with a 200-hour rating at 160°C.
• Strict QA Manufacturing: Every batch is checked for diameter, fibre dispersion and print performance.

Applications for PA12-CF 3D Printing Filament

• Fluid-Contact Components: Pump housings, fuel-system brackets, manifolds and fittings exposed to oils and chemicals.
• Precision Jigs and Fixtures: Tooling that must hold tolerance over long production runs and changing humidity.
• Automotive and Marine Parts: Durable, impact-tolerant parts for engine bays, cabins and saltwater environments.
• Functional Prototypes: Prototypes that behave like injection-moulded nylon end parts.
• Drone, RC and Robotics Parts: Lightweight, stiff, wear-resistant structural components.

Note: PA12-CF is abrasive. Use a hardened steel or wear-resistant nozzle. Although PA12 is far less hygroscopic than PA6, dry the filament before printing for the cleanest results.

Storage and Drying for PA12-CF Filament

• Store in a Cool, Dry, Dark Environment: Keep the spool vacuum-sealed or in an airtight container with fresh desiccant.
• Dry Before Printing: Use a filament dryer, food dehydrator or enclosed 3D printer at 80°C for a minimum of 12 hours.

Why Choose 3D META's PA12-CF 3D Printing Filament

• Engineering-Grade Performance – Verified mechanical, thermal and electrical data (see Technical Specs) so you can design with confidence.
• Top-Quality Materials – Premium PA12 resin with evenly dispersed carbon fibre for consistent extrusion and strength.
• Strict QA Standards – Tight diameter tolerance and verified print performance, batch after batch.
• Fully Tested In-House – Every batch is print-tested on real engineering geometries before release.
• Local Support – Australian stock, fast shipping and help from people who print with it.

Need a tough, stable nylon that shrugs off moisture and chemicals? Order 3D META PA12-CF filament today. Need maximum stiffness and heat resistance instead? See our PA6-CF filament.

Print Settings

Recommended starting settings for 3D META PA12-CF filament. Every printer is different — treat these as a guide and tune for your machine.

Setting	Recommended
Nozzle Temperature	260–280°C
Bed Temperature	60–90°C
Print Speed	40–60 mm/s
Part Cooling Fan	Off (0%)
Layer Height	0.12–0.3 mm
Retraction Distance	4–6 mm
Retraction Speed	40–60 mm/s
Nozzle	Hardened steel or wear-resistant, 0.4 mm or larger
Print Surface	Most print surfaces e.g. Glass, META FLEX etc
Printing Environment	Room Temperature – 50°C
Support Material	PVA
Drying (before printing)	80°C for a minimum of 12 hours

Technical Specs

Property	Test method	Value
Filament
Material		PA12 (Nylon) with 10% carbon fibre
Diameter		1.75 mm (±0.02 mm)
Net weight		1 kg
Colour		Black
Spool		Recyclable plastic spool
Physical Properties
Density	ISO 1183	1.23–1.26 g/cm³
MFR (250°C / 2.16 kg)	ISO 1133	3–6 g/10 min
Moisture Absorption	ISO 62	<0.3%
Mechanical Properties
Tensile Strength	ISO 527	50–55 MPa
Elongation at Break	ISO 527	3.5–4.5%
Flexural Modulus	ISO 527	1300–1500 MPa
Flexural Strength	ISO 178	90–96 MPa
Impact Strength	ISO 179	3.5–5 kJ/m²
Thermal Properties
HDT @ 0.455 MPa (66 psi)	ISO 75	90°C
Continuous Use Temperature	IEC 60216	120°C
200-hour Continuous Test		160°C
Electrical Properties
Insulation Resistance	IEC 60167	≤10² Ω
Surface Resistance	IEC 60093	≤10² Ω

Download the full PA12-CF Technical Data Sheet (PDF).

FAQ's

Q: Do I need a special nozzle for printing with PA12-CF filament?

A: Yes. Use a hardened steel or other wear-resistant nozzle. The carbon fibre content will quickly wear out a standard brass nozzle, widening the orifice and ruining dimensional accuracy.

Q: What is the main difference between PA12-CF and PA6-CF?

A: PA12-CF absorbs less moisture, has better chemical resistance and is more dimensionally stable, so it is easier to print and better suited to parts exposed to oils, fuels or humidity. PA6-CF is stiffer, stronger and far more heat-resistant (HDT 200°C vs 90°C), making it the better choice for structural parts in hot environments.

Q: Can I print PA12-CF on an open-frame printer?

A: Often, yes. PA12's low shrinkage makes it much more tolerant of open-frame printers than PA6, provided you have a heated bed, a hardened nozzle and keep the part cooling fan off. An enclosure still helps on large parts.

Q: How should I store PA12-CF filament?

A: Store it vacuum-sealed or in an airtight container with desiccant. PA12 absorbs much less moisture than PA6, but drying at 80°C for 12 hours before printing still gives the cleanest, strongest results.