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PET-CF · FDM · SAN DIEGO

PET-CF 3D Printing — Carbon-Fiber Reinforced, Low Warp

PET-CF is carbon-fiber reinforced PET — stiff, dimensionally stable, printable with a hardened-steel nozzle and dried spool. $0.070/cm³ at 2.0× PLA. Few San Diego shops stock it; we always do.

Price
$0.070
per cm³
HDT
78°C
heat deflect
Tensile
65 MPa
strength
Colors
1
in stock
Quote PET-CF →See properties table

When to choose PET-CF

PET-CF is the right pick when you need a stiff functional part that has to hold shape. Drone frames, camera mounts, robot arms, fixtures that can't flex, thin-walled structural parts, brackets that replace aluminum. Also a great choice when PLA or PETG warps at larger sizes.

When to pick something else

Skip PET-CF if the part needs to flex or absorb impact — it's brittle. Skip it if the surface finish has to be glossy or sharp — fibers show. Skip it for clear/translucent needs. And skip it if you're on a tight budget and PETG will do the job.

PET-CF Properties & Datasheet

Verified against manufacturer datasheets and our own print testing at the San Diego shop.

Tensile strength65 MPaStiffer than PETG, more brittle
Heat deflection78 °CGood for engine-bay ambient
Young's modulus~4,500 MPaVery stiff — low deflection under load
Moisture sensitivityHighRequires dry storage; we print straight from dry spools
Dimensional stabilityExcellentCF reinforcement locks in shape
WarpVery lowThe #1 reason to pick PET-CF over regular PETG
Surface finishMatte, slightly roughCF fibers are visible on close inspection
Nozzle wearHighRequires hardened steel nozzle — our composite-capable printers run them

DESIGN TIPS

Designing for PET-CF

  • 01Wall thickness: 1.6mm+ for load-bearing; CF fibers reinforce but can't compensate for too-thin walls.
  • 02Overhangs: 50° unsupported; PET-CF supports are a pain to remove, so design to minimize.
  • 03Threaded inserts: heat-set inserts work great; tapped threads hold far better than in PETG.
  • 04Orient loads along the print plane (XY); Z-axis (layer adhesion) is still the weak direction.
  • 05For flying parts (drones, RC), design with the airflow direction aligned to XY for max stiffness.

CUSTOMER WORK

Real parts we've printed in PET-CF

Rod bracket

Structural PET-CF bracket for an industrial rod clamp — replaces aluminum at 1/3 the weight.

FPV drone frame

5" freestyle frame in PET-CF; flies 4oz lighter than an equivalent PLA version and doesn't warp under motor heat.

Robot arm joint

Robotics-startup proto that needed stiffness + low part count; PET-CF hit both specs.

Considering alternatives?

PA6-CF30See specs →

The premium step up — higher HDT, higher strength, 1.75× the price.

PETGSee specs →

The flexible, cheaper alternative when stiffness isn't critical.

PET-CF FAQ

How much does PET-CF 3D printing cost?+
PET-CF prints at $0.070 per cm³ (2× PLA). A typical palm-sized part (~20 cm³) runs around $2.10 including our markup. Exact price depends on quality preset, infill, and quantity — see /pricing for the full formula.
What is PET-CF best for?+
PET-CF is the right pick when you need a stiff functional part that has to hold shape. Drone frames, camera mounts, robot arms, fixtures that can't flex, thin-walled structural parts, brackets that replace aluminum. Also a great choice when PLA or PETG warps at larger sizes.
When should I NOT use PET-CF?+
Skip PET-CF if the part needs to flex or absorb impact — it's brittle. Skip it if the surface finish has to be glossy or sharp — fibers show. Skip it for clear/translucent needs. And skip it if you're on a tight budget and PETG will do the job.
What does TAKT 3D's PET-CF print setup require?+
Hardened-steel nozzle and dried spool required. Carbon fiber is abrasive and PET-CF absorbs moisture quickly — we print every spool straight from the dryer. All of our PET-CF jobs use filament dried the same day to avoid moisture-induced defects, and every spool is logged against the part batch for traceability.
How long is PET-CF 3D printing turnaround?+
Standard turnaround for PET-CF is 3–5 business days. Expedited (3 days) adds 30%; rush (1–2 days) adds 60%. Most small PET-CF orders ship within 48 hours from our San Diego shop.
Ready when you are

Ready to print in PET-CF?

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