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Polymaker PolyMide PA6-CF
PA6, carbon-fibre filledFilamentFDMPolymaker
Quick answer
Polymaker's carbon-fibre PA6 filament — now sold as Fiberon PA6-CF20, the same formula — is one of the stiffest desktop nylon filaments: 109.3 MPa tensile strength and 8636 MPa Young's modulus in XY, HDT of 173 °C at 1.8 MPa, per Polymaker's current TDS. The price of that stiffness is 2.1% elongation at break and a mandatory 100 °C / 10 h dry before printing.
PolyMide PA6-CF built its reputation as the benchmark stiff nylon filament, and Polymaker has since moved it into the Fiberon line as PA6-CF20 (20% carbon fibre), stating it is the same proven formula. The current TDS (v1.1) values below are for Fiberon PA6-CF20; note they differ from the older PolyMide TDS revisions still circulating online.
The XY/Z split is the story of all PA-CF filaments in one row: 109.3 MPa strength and 8636 MPa modulus within layers, 54.0 MPa and 3760 MPa across them. Design so loads stay in-plane, and this filament produces genuinely structural desktop parts.
Properties (manufacturer datasheet)
| Property | Value | Test method / note |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength (X-Y) | 109.3 MPa | ISO 527, ±2.4; Z: 54.0 MPa |
| Young's modulus (X-Y) | 8636 MPa | ISO 527, ±211; Z: 3760 MPa |
| Elongation at break (X-Y) | 2.1% | ISO 527; Z: 1.9% |
| HDT @ 1.8 MPa | 173 °C | ISO 75; @ 0.45 MPa: 215 °C |
| Density | 1.17 g/cm³ | ISO 1183 at 23 °C |
| Nozzle temperature | 280–300 °C | Manufacturer recommendation |
| Drying | 100 °C for 10 h | TDS recommended printing conditions |
Values are reproduced from the manufacturer source(s) listed below, exactly as published. Properties the manufacturer does not publish are omitted rather than estimated — see the sourcing policy.
Processing notes
- Nozzle temperature 280–300 °C per the TDS — an all-metal, high-temperature hotend is required, plus a hardened nozzle for the abrasive carbon fibre.
- Drying is specified, not optional: 100 °C for 10 h in the TDS printing conditions.
- Density 1.17 g/cm³ (ISO 1183). Values are for dry specimens at 23 °C.
Typical applications
- Structural brackets and machine components
- Gears and drivetrain parts
- Drone and RC components
- High-stiffness jigs and fixtures
- Automotive under-bonnet parts within its temperature limits
Frequently asked questions
Is Fiberon PA6-CF20 the same as PolyMide PA6-CF?
Polymaker states the Fiberon PA6-CF20 is the same proven formula as PolyMide PA6-CF, rebranded into the Fiberon line. The current TDS values differ slightly from older PolyMide TDS revisions, so cite the current document (v1.1).
Why is elongation so low for a nylon?
Carbon fibre stiffens the PA6 matrix and constrains its ability to stretch: 2.1% elongation at break versus double-digit figures for unfilled nylons. It behaves more like a rigid composite than a ductile nylon — strong and stiff, but not a material for snap-fits or hinges.
Do I really need to dry it for 10 hours?
Polymaker specifies 100 °C for 10 h. PA6 is the most moisture-hungry of the common printing nylons; under-dried PA6-CF prints with bubbles, poor layer adhesion and measurably lower strength. See the drying guide.
Sources
Last updated: November 2026