eSUN PA-CF is a nylon (PA6/66) filament blended with 20% carbon fiber, offering high strength, stiffness, and heat resistance up to 155°C, making it suitable as a metal replacement in many applications. It is ideal for mechanical parts, gears, and components requiring wear resistance.

If you're looking for an engineering-grade 3D printing filament that offers high strength, heat resistance, and better impact resistance than general-purpose filaments, eSUN PA-CF is one of the most compelling options. Developed from Nylon 6/66 copolymer blended with 20% carbon fiber, it significantly enhances strength, toughness, and rigidity, allowing it to replace metal parts in many industrial applications.

What is PA-CF?

PA-CF is a nylon filament reinforced with 20% carbon fiber. This reinforcement increases strength, reduces shrinkage during printing, and provides a smooth, matte finish. It also features self-lubricating properties and excellent abrasion resistance, making it ideal for printing parts subject to friction, such as gears and bushings.

Key Features of eSUN PA-CF

• High heat resistance: Heat Distortion Temperature (HDT) up to 155°C
• High strength and toughness with good impact resistance
• High rigidity, suitable for structural parts
• Low shrinkage, less prone to warping or cracking during printing
• Abrasion resistant and self-lubricating, ideal for moving parts
• Matte finish for a sophisticated look

Key Specifications

Density (g/cm³)	1.24
Heat Distortion Temp (°C, 0.45MPa)	155
Tensile Strength (MPa) XY plane	84.05
Flexural Strength (MPa) XY plane	127.5
Recommended Nozzle Temperature	260–300°C
Recommended Build Plate Temperature	60–90°C
Recommended Printing Speed	Below 150 mm/s
Diameter	1.75 mm
Weight per Roll	1 kg/roll

Best Printing Techniques for Optimal Results

1. Pre-dry the filament at 70°C for at least 12 hours before printing, as PA-CF is highly hygroscopic. It is also recommended to use a filament dry box like eBOX during printing.
2. Use a hardened steel or ruby nozzle, as carbon fiber is abrasive to nozzles and extruder gears. If possible, choose hardened extruder gears as well.
3. Be careful not to kink the filament in the feeding tube, as PA-CF is very rigid and less flexible than general-purpose filaments.
4. Set the cooling fan to 0% to ensure good layer adhesion.
5. Enable a skirt to help remove the printed part from the build plate more easily.

Suitable Applications

With its high strength and heat resistance, eSUN PA-CF is suitable for applications in machinery, automotive, chemical industries, as well as electrical and electronic components, especially for parts that experience continuous friction, such as gears, bushings, and high-precision jigs.

Conclusion

eSUN PA-CF is an excellent choice for those looking to print metal-replacement parts with conventional FDM 3D printers. Its outstanding strength, heat resistance, and abrasion resistance make it ideal. However, careful attention to filament drying and using abrasive-resistant feeding equipment is crucial to achieve high-quality prints worthy of an engineering-grade material.

Tags

3D Printing Carbon Fiber Engineering Filament eSUN Nylon PA-CF

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