3D printing
Polymaker Fiberon PA6-CF20 20% Carbon-Fiber Reinforced Nylon 1.75mm, 0.5kg
Product description
Composition and spool: This filament is Nylon 6 (PA6) compounded with 20% chopped carbon fiber, supplied on a 0.5 kg spool in 1.75 mm diameter. The reinforcement increases rigidity, modulus and dimensional stability versus unfilled nylon.
Mechanical and thermal performance: Typical lab values after proper post-process annealing show high tensile strength in the XY plane and a Young’s modulus in the gigapascal range. Heat deflection temperature rises substantially following a controlled anneal (100°C for 16 hours), improving service performance under load and heat.
Moisture handling: PA6 is hygroscopic. Dry the spool thoroughly (recommended 100°C for extended hours) before printing and keep it stored/printed at low relative humidity (ideally below 20%) or in a dry box. Proper drying and storage reduce bubbling, stringing and inconsistent extrusion.
Printing recommendations: Use an all-metal hotend and nozzle temperatures around 280–300°C with a heated build plate around 40–50°C. Disable part cooling fans for best layer adhesion. A heated chamber is not mandatory; room-temperature chamber guidance is provided in the technical documentation. With a tuned profile, higher print speeds are achievable.
Tooling and post-print: Carbon-filled nylon is abrasive—use a hardened steel, ruby or otherwise wear-resistant nozzle (not standard brass). For improved dimensional stability and heat tolerance, anneal printed parts at 100°C for approximately 16 hours. Verify smooth filament feed and free spool rotation before long prints.
Pros
- High stiffness and strength from 20% carbon fiber
- Elevated heat deflection after annealing
- Good layer adhesion for functional parts
Cons
- Highly hygroscopic — needs thorough drying
- Abrasive to standard nozzles
- Requires high-temp, tuned printer setup
VerdictPA6-CF20 is a purpose-built carbon-fiber reinforced Nylon 6 designed for demanding functional prints and prototypes. It delivers high stiffness, excellent layer bonding and elevated heat deflection after post-print annealing. It needs careful moisture control, a high-temperature all-metal hotend and an abrasive-resistant nozzle, but when used with the recommended settings produces strong, stable p
Reader reviews
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Kyle Thrasher 5/5
Easy to tune and reliable
After a few spools I have consistent results. Parts are solid and predictable. Not flexible by design, but extremely sturdy for fixtures and tools.
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adam shepherdson 5/5
Impressive strength for functional parts
Pricey but outstanding. I printed dishwasher wheels that survive heat and moisture without deforming. Printing at ~300°C gave durable, reliable parts ideal for functional use.
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Tim 5/5
Prints very well on my Bambu H2
Nice filament that behaves well on my printer. I haven’t tested long-term performance, but prints are clean. Heavy solid parts can warp at 100% infill—user error on settings rather than the material.
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Bimal R. 5/5
Excellent results if you know the process
Produces great prints. Consider replacing hardened steel nozzles every few kilograms. I bake spools at 200°F for long dry cycles away from direct IR to avoid hotspots. Settings: 300°C nozzle, 50°C bed, 0.6mm nozzle, fans off, enclosed chamber—smooth extrusion for long prints.
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Cameron Davis 5/5
Excellent filament overall
Great material: prints reliably, no tangles, good adhesion and a useful balance of stiffness. Excellent value when you need reinforced parts.
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AR S 5/5
Top choice for PA6-CF20
This is my go-to PA6CF20. It’s light, very strong and goes a long way—parts outperform PLA for many applications. No tangles on multiple rolls and even a beginner can get great results straight from the spool, provided it’s handled correctly.
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Mary Stephenson 5/5
Heat-resistant and durable
Used this to print a radiator fan housing for a dirtbike. With the right nozzle and settings it resists heat and abuse while leaving an attractive finish. Strong choice for functional components.
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Patrice Lavoute 5/5
Reliable Polymaker quality
Excellent Polymaker quality that I’ve trusted for over a year. Consistent and well-made material.
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Jeff Turner 5/5
Exactly the filament recommended to me
Highly recommended by forums and it delivers. It’s very wet—dry thoroughly (170°F for a few days or use a powered dryer). Use a hardened 0.6 mm nozzle, secure bed adhesion and proper drying for beautiful results. Glue the bed, dry the filament, and use a hardened nozzle.
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Ellie 5/5
Prints clean with great strength, watch nozzle size
I printed a benchy just after opening the spool, loading straight from my dryer. The boat came out nearly flawless with superb layer bonding. The open-air extrusion shows slight waviness through my 0.4mm nozzle—I'd try 0.6mm to smooth that. No stringing, excellent overhangs and a rough, glassy-sounding surface from the exposed fibers. If the part will be handled often, a clear coat masks the rough texture.
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Joseph Sosnowski 5/5
Outstanding finish and consistency
Better than the fiberglass variant in my experience. Fantastic surface at 0.16 mm layers that looks molded. 500 g spools have been very consistent when dried properly. I did encounter one problematic 3 kg spool from a sale, so occasional bad lots may occur.
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Ray J 5/5
Beautiful printing and very strong parts
Outstanding material, especially for a first-time Nylon user. I dried it before printing and achieved strong, attractive parts. For first-layer adhesion on smooth beds I use Magigoo and haven’t seen lifting issues.
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TGT 5/5
High-quality filament with one caveat
Very good filament and I appreciated that my slicer already had a profile. Use a glue stick for bed adhesion and dry the spool before first use to eliminate bubbly prints—proper drying fixes that.
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