The spec, the annealing story, the anisotropy design rules, and where PET-CF actually wins · cross-checked against the manufacturer's TDS V1.0, written by the team that prints it.
PET-CF carbon fibre 3D printing service · UK · quoted in 6 hours.
Barely moves with humidity · top-tier stiffness for precise fixtures and jigs.
Four quick visuals. Start with which material to pick and where PET-CF works; the engineering detail is at the end if you want it.
Stiffness-critical fixtures in humid service · dimensional jigs that hold tolerance through humidity cycles · electrical insulators · hydrocarbon-resistant brackets
PET's repeating aromatic ring plus ester linkage is the same backbone behind PET drinks bottles. Far fewer water-attackable sites than nylon amide chains · 0.53% equilibrium water absorption. CF aligns with extrusion · drives 2.36× XY/Z anisotropy.
2.36× tensile XY/Z (65.9 / 27.9 MPa) · higher than every other commodity CF/GF composite we ship. Plan orientation in CAD before slicing · the rigid PET matrix carries less Z-axis load than the more compliant nylon matrices.
"James handled the 3D printing for a functional heat resistant component we needed in batch production. He helped dial in the prototype first with their design service, then produced the final batch with really consistent results. Super fast 3D print turnaround and great quality across all the 3D printed parts. Will 100% be coming back."
"We needed a sit-in F1-car for an exhibition to showcase our new racing game. 3D Printing Express took our CAD, optimised it for strength and weight as we had no idea how it all worked! Turned out beautifully. They colour matched the finish and was looking like the real deal. On show day the cockpit ran non-stop, adults and kids jumped in. Multiple visitors asked who built it."
"We ordered a batch of 100 PA-12 parts from 3D Printing Express and could not be happier. Every part arrived consistent, dimensionally accurate, and ready for use straight from the box. The PA-12 gave us the strength and stability we needed for functional testing, with minimal post-processing required. Delivery was on time, communication was excellent, and their QC clearly made a difference."
Top-tier stiffness · 65% stiffer than PA12-CF, marginally above PA612-CF, second only to PA6-CF20 (8636 MPa). And it holds that stiffness in humidity (0.53% water). For stiffness-critical fixtures and jigs.
Lowest of any commodity engineering composite · 3× drier than PA12-CF (1.5%), 4× drier than PA612-CF (2.2%), 6× drier than PA6-GF (3.33%). Holds dimensions across humidity cycles.
Doubles from ~70°C unannealed to 147.5°C post-anneal · the phase change from amorphous to semi-crystalline PET is the engineering wedge. 105°C under 1.8 MPa load.
Highest in our range · 60% more directional than PA12-CF (1.48×). Design loads must run along XY · Z-loaded thin walls below 2mm are the failure mode.
The use cases where PET-CF earns its place · stiffness-critical engineering fixtures, dimensional stability through humidity cycles, hydrocarbon-resistant chemistry, and a printable lead time when CNC or moulding can't justify the cost.
Engineering materials are bought on what they can do · sold on what they can't. Pick a different filament if any of these apply to your part.
Workshop jigs that live through 30-80% RH UK seasonal cycles. Where PA6-CF would swell 0.8% and need recalibrating each season, PET-CF holds under 0.1% drift. Production-line repeatability without seasonal recalibration.
The combination of 5481 MPa stiffness, 0.53% water absorption, and negligible creep makes PET-CF a credible alternative to machined aluminium for CMM fixtures and inspection mounts. Half the weight of aluminium · same dimensional repeatability.
PET's dielectric strength (16-20 kV/mm) plus 147°C HDT plus humidity-stable dimensions match the OEM standard for automotive PET/PBT connectors. The 17% CF stays below the percolation threshold · insulator across the service envelope.
147°C HDT covers under-bonnet ambient. PET's hydrocarbon resistance is OEM-grade · PET fuel-rail return lines and PET film insulators are standard automotive specifications across the European industry.
A side-by-side of the three carbon-fibre engineering composites most engineers compare. PET-CF wins on stiffness and humidity stability; PA12-CF wins on impact toughness and dry-storage dimensional balance; PA6-CF20 wins on peak dry-state tensile strength.
PET-CF values from the manufacturer's PET-CF17 TDS V1.0 (ISO 527, ISO 75, ISO 178, ISO 1183 · all post-anneal 120°C/10h). PA12-CF and PA6-CF20 values from sibling-grade TDSs · PA6-CF20 water-absorption is approximate. Cost reflects typical UK 2026 filament pricing.
| Property | PET-CF (here) | PA12-CF | PA6-CF20 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base polymer | Semi-crystalline PET (polyester) | PA12 (long-chain nylon) | PA6 (short-chain nylon) |
| Tensile strength XY | 65.9 MPa | 77 MPa | 109 MPa |
| Stiffness (Young's modulus XY) | 5481 MPa | 3311 MPa | 8636 MPa |
| Heat deflection (HDT 0.45) | 147.5°C | 131°C | 215°C |
| Heat deflection (HDT 1.8) | 105°C | 105°C | ~155°C |
| Charpy notched impact XY | 5.1 kJ/m² | 9.9 kJ/m² | ~28 kJ/m² (wet) |
| Equilibrium water absorption | 0.53% | ~1.5% | ~3.5%+ |
| Anisotropy XY / Z (tensile) | 2.36× | 1.48× | ~2.0× |
| Density | 1.34 g/cm³ | 1.06 g/cm³ | ~1.13 g/cm³ |
| Heated chamber required? | No · room temp, 70-80°C bed | Preferred | Preferred |
| Post-print anneal required? | Mandatory (120°C / 10h · phase change) | Optional (stress relief) | Optional (stress relief) |
| Cost per kg (filament) | £50-100 | £90-130 | £70-110 |
| Best for | Stiffness-critical humidity-stable fixtures, electrical insulators, metrology mounts | Impact-loaded brackets, snap-fits, drone arms, balanced strength + ductility | Indoor dry-storage peak-stiffness bench-test parts |
The other common engineering-composite process decision. SLS is a different machine entirely · different base polymer, near-isotropic strength, different cost structure. Pick the row that matches your job.
| Property | FDM PET-CF (here) | SLS PA12 (powder-bed) |
|---|---|---|
| Process | Filament extrusion, layer-by-layer · post-print anneal required | Powder-bed, laser-sintered |
| Stiffness (Young's modulus XY) | 5481 MPa | 1700 MPa |
| Tensile strength XY | 65.9 MPa | 48 MPa |
| Anisotropy XY/Z | 2.36× | ~1.1× (near-isotropic) |
| Elongation at break | 2.4% | ~20% (ductile) |
| HDT @ 0.45 MPa | 147.5°C (annealed) | 163°C |
| Water absorption | 0.53% | ~1.5% |
| Surface finish · as printed | Layer lines visible · sand or paint for smooth | Matt powder-grain finish, uniform |
| Min wall thickness | 2.0 mm structural (anisotropy) | 0.7 mm achievable |
| Internal channels / lattices | Limited (support material) | Excellent (powder is the support) |
| Per-part cost · 1-off | Lower | Higher (machine + powder cost) |
| Per-part cost · batch of 100 | Comparable | Lower (efficient bed packing) |
| Best for | Stiffness-critical humidity-stable fixtures, dimensional jigs, electrical insulators | Complex geometry, lattices, near-isotropic strength, batch-of-50+, food-contact certified grades |
This is 3DPE's standard process for PET-CF · the equipment and the dried-filament discipline are included, no surcharge. Slicer profile and orientation are tuned per part at quote stage.
File or sketch in. We confirm material, orientation, finish, target HDT.
Engineer reviewed. Lead time + per-unit cost back inside 24 hours.
Wall thickness, XY-load-path orientation, anneal-shrinkage compensation flagged before print.
Filament dried 100°C / 10h pre-print. 70-80°C bed. Hardened steel nozzle. ISO-spec adherence.
120°C / 10h anneal mandatory for full HDT. Sand or 2K paint to spec.
Tracked UK courier, tracking number sent the moment it leaves.
Drying adds 10 hours and annealing adds 18 hours (10h dwell + slow cooldown) to any of the above. Lead times start when CAD is signed off · CAD round-trips on rev requests can extend the clock.
Lay-up bonding jig for a composite-fabrication client in a humid workshop. PET-CF held tolerance through 6 months of seasonal humidity (RH 35-78%) where the previous PA6-CF jig had drifted 0.4% across each season-cycle. 120°C / 10h anneal post-print converted amorphous PET to semi-crystalline · stiffness held under the typical 4kg clamping load.
PET-CF is 17% carbon-fibre-reinforced polyethylene terephthalate · a semi-crystalline aromatic polyester filament reinforced with chopped carbon fibre. The base PET polymer is the same chemistry behind PET drinks bottles and polyester fibre · the rigid aromatic ring and ester linkage backbone give PET dimensional stability and chemical resistance with very low moisture absorption (0.53% equilibrium, the lowest of any commodity engineering composite). Carbon-fibre at 17 wt% delivers 65.9 MPa tensile XY (annealed), 5481 MPa Young's modulus (top-tier · second only to PA6-CF20's 8636 MPa), and 147.5°C HDT at 0.45 MPa. The defining trade-off is anisotropy · 2.36× XY/Z tensile ratio (the highest in the range) means design loads must run along XY. Two property states matter: as-printed PET-CF is amorphous (HDT ~70°C); post-anneal at 120°C / 10h, the polymer converts to semi-crystalline (HDT 147.5°C). The recommended anneal is mandatory for engineering parts.
"PET-CF is the CF composite I reach for when stiffness in a humid workshop matters more than impact toughness. PA6-CF is stronger on the bench but loses half its tensile in any humid environment · PA12-CF holds dimensions better than PA-CF but is only half the stiffness. PET-CF gives the highest Young's modulus we ship at 0.53% water absorption · numbers that hold across UK humidity cycles where nylon would have drifted. The trades are real though · 2.36× anisotropy and only 5 kJ/m² Charpy notched mean you cannot skip the load-path-orientation step in CAD, and the anneal is mandatory not optional. Get those right and PET-CF earns its place in the fixture cabinet."
Three questions every engineer Googles when picking PET-CF · the PET polymer chemistry, why annealing matters more than for nylons, and what the 2.36× anisotropy means in design.
As-printed PET cools too fast for crystallites to form · amorphous, HDT ~70°C, low stiffness. The 120°C / 10h anneal drives PET into its semi-crystalline state · ordered chains, HDT 147.5°C, full mechanical performance. This is a true phase change, not stress relaxation · the spec values on this page do not apply without the anneal.
17% chopped carbon fibre (~80-200 micron length) aligns along extrusion direction during deposition · drives the 2.36× XY/Z anisotropy ratio. Highest anisotropy of any composite we ship because (1) the 17% CF loading is denser than PA12-CF (10%) and PA612-CF (15%), and (2) the rigid PET matrix transfers Z-axis load less effectively than the more compliant nylon matrices. Design load paths along XY · not optional.
PET's polar ester linkages absorb far less water than nylon amide groups. PET-CF holds 3× drier than PA12-CF (1.5%), 4× drier than PA612-CF (2.2%), 6× drier than PA6-GF (3.33%). No wet-state design margin needed · dimensional stability holds through UK humidity cycles where nylon-CF fixtures drift and bind.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a semi-crystalline aromatic polyester produced by condensation of ethylene glycol with terephthalic acid. The repeating unit contains a rigid aromatic ring connected through ester linkages · the same structural rigidity that makes PET films and bottles hold shape so well. PET sits in a different polymer family from the engineering nylons (which are polyamides) · the polar ester linkage absorbs far less water than the hydrogen-bonded amide linkage in nylon.
The commercial pedigree is everywhere. PET is the polymer behind drinks bottles, polyester fibre (from clothing to ropes), packaging films, and automotive engineering connectors (PET/PBT family is the OEM standard for electrical connectors). The same hydrocarbon resistance and dimensional stability carries through to the FDM-printed grade · engineering fixtures, electrical insulators, and metrology mounts inherit the chemistry's pedigree.
PET exists in two states that matter for 3D printing. Amorphous PET is transparent or opaque, lower stiffness, formed when the polymer cools too fast for crystallites to form · this is the state PET takes coming off a standard FDM nozzle. Amorphous PET has useful printability but only modest mechanical and thermal properties (HDT ~70°C, low stiffness). Semi-crystalline PET is opaque, higher stiffness, higher HDT, higher chemical resistance · this is the state PET reaches when cooled slowly through its crystallisation window (~120-200°C) or when annealed.
The recommended anneal cycle is 120°C / 10h in a dry oven. This drives PET into the semi-crystalline state · HDT more than doubles (~70°C → 147.5°C), stiffness gains 10-20%, and chemical resistance improves materially. This is a true phase change · not stress relaxation like the anneal cycle on nylon. Without the anneal, the spec values on this page do not apply. The TDS even publishes critical handling: parts must be 24h post-print (or pre-baked 2h at 80°C) before anneal to release print stress, and thin walls under 4mm need supporting ribs to prevent deformation during the cycle.
Our stocked grade is 17% carbon fibre by weight, chopped to short segments (80-200 microns long). The fibres orient along the print-head direction as the molten filament extrudes. That orientation drives the 2.36× XY/Z anisotropy ratio · the highest of any composite in our range. Two factors compound: (1) the 17% CF loading is higher than PA12-CF (10%) and PA612-CF (15%), so there are more fibres aligned along XY; (2) the rigid PET matrix transfers Z-axis load less effectively than the more compliant nylon matrices · the matrix-controlled inter-layer regions bear the Z-axis load with minimal fibre bridging.
Practically, every PET-CF part must be designed with the load path running along the XY print plane. Z-loaded thin walls under 2mm are the failure mode. Where PA12-CF can absorb some Z-direction misalignment, PET-CF will not · this is the orientation-sensitive composite in our range.
Values measured to the ISO standards cited in the right-hand column, on the manufacturer's own injection-moulded test specimens · directly comparable to other engineering thermoplastics.
| Property | XY · print plane | Z · build axis | Wet · XY / Z · post-immersion | Unit | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical · post-anneal status (120°C / 10h) | |||||
| Tensile strength | 65.9 | 27.9 | · | MPa | ISO 527 |
| Young's modulus | 5481 | 3559 | · | MPa | ISO 527 |
| Elongation at break | 2.4 | 0.8 | · | % | ISO 527 |
| Flexural strength | 109.3 | 43.4 | · | MPa | ISO 178 |
| Flexural modulus | 4744 | 2768 | · | MPa | ISO 178 |
| Charpy impact (notched, XY) | 5.1 | · | · | kJ/m² | ISO 179 |
| Charpy impact (unnotched, XY) | 25.1 | · | · | kJ/m² | ISO 179 |
| Charpy impact (unnotched, Z) | · | 3.1 | · | kJ/m² | ISO 179 |
| Thermal | |||||
| Heat deflection (HDT @ 0.45 MPa) | 147.5 (annealed) · ~70 (as-printed) | °C | ISO 75 | ||
| Heat deflection (HDT @ 1.8 MPa) | 105 | °C | ISO 75 | ||
| Glass transition temperature (Tg) | 79.3 | °C | DSC, 10°C/min | ||
| Melting temperature (Tm) | 241.3 | °C | DSC lab figure · not the print temperature or the in-service softening limit (see HDT/Tg) | ||
| Crystallisation temperature (Tc) | 202.9 | °C | DSC, 10°C/min | ||
| Vicat softening temperature | 238.4 | °C | ISO 306 | ||
| Decomposition temperature | 434 | °C | TGA, 20°C/min | ||
| Physical | |||||
| Density | 1.34 | g/cm³ @ 23°C | ISO 1183 | ||
| Carbon-fibre content | 17 | % by weight | manufacturer spec | ||
| Equilibrium water absorption | 0.53 | % | manufacturer absorption curve | ||
| Melt flow index | 30.7 | g/10min (270°C, 2.16kg) | ISO 1133 | ||
| UL94 flame rating | HB at 1.5mm | · | UL 94 | ||
| Surface resistivity | >10¹² | Ω/sq (insulator) | ANSI ESD S11.11 | ||
| Processing | |||||
| Recommended print temperature | 270-300 | °C | manufacturer spec | ||
| Recommended bed temperature | 70-80 | °C | manufacturer spec | ||
| Chamber requirement | Room temperature (no heated chamber required) | · | manufacturer spec | ||
| Drying conditions | 100°C / 10h before printing | · | manufacturer spec | ||
| Annealing | 120°C / 10h post-print · MANDATORY for full spec | · | manufacturer spec | ||
| Nozzle material | Hardened steel or ruby (brass 1-3 jobs life) | · | manufacturer spec | ||
Tensile load > 20 MPa: orient with load in the XY plane. Z bonds are 58% weaker · 27.9 vs 65.9 MPa, anisotropy 2.36× (highest in our range). The rigid PET matrix transfers Z-axis load less effectively than nylon · this is the orientation-sensitive composite we ship.
PET-CF's 2.36× anisotropy makes thin walls particularly brittle in Z-loaded geometry · 2mm minimum structural (vs 1.5mm for PA-CF nylons). 0.8 mm is cosmetic only. For load-bearing service add ribs rather than thinning walls.
Above 45° from vertical needs support material · plan part orientation to keep critical surfaces support-free.
Tight-tolerance ±0.1 mm achievable on small parts with calibration · ask before finalising CAD.
Removes 0.1-0.3 mm per surface · pre-paint prep or stand-alone hand-feel polish.
Manufacturer states annealing is mandatory for PET-CF · the published spec values only apply to the post-anneal semi-crystalline state. As-printed PET-CF is amorphous (HDT ~70°C); annealed PET-CF is semi-crystalline (HDT 147.5°C). Costs up to 1.5% XY and 1% Z shrinkage.
Adds 0.05-0.15 mm per surface · sand 800 grit first, primer + topcoat · for colour-matched exterior parts.
Vapour fuses the matrix without flattening exposed carbon · glossy but textured · sand + paint instead.
Every value on this page traces to an ISO test method. We don't quote derived numbers without naming the standard. The annealed-state caveat is clear on every spec figure.
No offshore subcontracting. Files, prints, and couriers all stay in the UK.
Send three things: peak load (N or MPa), peak service temperature (°C), and service environment (humid / outdoor / chemical). our team come back inside 24 hours with material, orientation, and post-process recommendation · if PA12-CF, PA6-CF, PA612-CF, or PPS-CF fits better, we say so.
our team review every brief before quote. No ticket queue, no account managers.
According to the Fiberon PET-CF17 TDS, PET-CF17 reaches Young's modulus 5481 ± 224 MPa (XY) per ISO 527 · joint-top of the 5000-class stiffness band · with HDT 147.5 °C @ 0.45 MPa and Tm 241.3 °C.
Annealing converts PET-CF from amorphous to semi-crystalline · effectively a phase change rather than a stress-relaxation cycle. As-printed PET-CF cools too fast for crystallites to form, so it starts life amorphous (HDT ~70°C). The recommended 120°C / 10h anneal drives crystallisation, locking the polymer into the higher-performing semi-crystalline state · HDT more than doubles to 147.5°C, stiffness and dimensional stability increase materially, and the chemical resistance envelope improves. Without the anneal, the spec values on this page do not apply. For load-bearing or thermally-loaded parts, annealing is mandatory.
PET-CF17 has the highest anisotropy in our commodity composite range · 2.36× tensile XY/Z (65.9 / 27.9 MPa). PA12-CF is 1.48×, PA612-CF is 1.90×, PA6-GF is 1.32×. Two factors: (1) the 17% CF loading is higher than PA12-CF's 10% (more fibre to orient along extrusion direction), and (2) the rigid PET matrix doesn't carry inter-layer load as well as the more compliant nylon matrices · Z-axis strength is essentially polymer-only with minimal fibre bridging. Design every PET-CF part with the load path running along XY. Z-loaded thin walls under 2mm are the failure mode.
Yes · 0.53% equilibrium water absorption per the TDS V1.0 absorption curve. That's very low for a composite (PPS-CF 0.225% and PET-GF 0.32% are drier) · ~3× drier than PA12-CF (1.5%), ~4× drier than PA612-CF (2.2%), ~6× drier than PA6-GF (3.33%). PET's polar ester linkages absorb far less water than nylon amide groups. The practical result: PET-CF parts hold dimensions and properties across UK ambient humidity cycles (30-80% RH) where nylon-CF parts swell and lose stiffness. For outdoor fixtures, marine brackets, humid workshops, and parts stored for months · PET-CF is the right CF composite.
PET-CF wins on stiffness (5481 vs 3311 MPa Young's modulus XY · 65% stiffer), HDT (147.5 vs 131°C at 0.45 MPa), and moisture stability (0.53% vs 1.5% water absorption). PA12-CF wins on tensile strength (77 vs 65.9 MPa XY), impact toughness (Charpy notched 9.9 vs 5.1 kJ/m² · 94% tougher), anisotropy (1.48× vs 2.36×), and ductility (4% vs 2.4% elongation). For stiffness-critical dimensional fixtures in humid service, PET-CF. For impact-loaded brackets that need to absorb shock, PA12-CF.
Tg is 79.3°C per the manufacturer TDS V1.0 (DSC, 10°C/min). This sits between bulk PET literature (67-81°C) and the carbon-fibre-constrained value. Above Tg, amorphous regions soften · but in the annealed semi-crystalline state the crystalline regions continue to carry load up to the HDT (147.5°C at 0.45 MPa, 105°C at 1.8 MPa). For unannealed prints, do not load above 60°C. For annealed prints, the HDT figures govern service.
No heated chamber required · the TDS specifies room-temperature chamber. However, PET-CF prints with a hotter bed (70-80°C) than the PA-CF nylons (40-50°C) to manage PET's crystallisation behaviour during cooling. Standard industrial FDM hardware with a 300°C-capable hotend and hardened nozzle handles the material · no PEEK-class equipment needed.
Hardened steel or ruby. Carbon-fibre at 17 wt% destroys a brass nozzle in 1-3 print jobs. Ruby-tipped nozzles extend life to hundreds of jobs. We run hardened-steel on every CF print as standard, included in the quote · no surcharge.
Excellent against hydrocarbons (petrol, diesel, oils, greases), alcohols (IPA, ethanol, methanol), dilute acids, detergents, and cleaning products · PET is the bottle-grade polymer behind food and beverage packaging. Limited against strong alkalis (PET hydrolyses in hot caustic), sustained hot water above 80°C (hydrolysis), and phenols. Fails against concentrated sulphuric or nitric acid, chlorinated solvents long-term, and high-temperature steam.
| Chemical / family | Resistance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol / gasoline | Excellent | PET fuel-rail return lines are OEM specification |
| Diesel | Excellent | Including biodiesel and E85 ethanol-blends |
| Engine oil, gear oil, hydraulic oil | Excellent | All standard service grades |
| Brake fluid (DOT 3 / 4 / 5.1 glycol) | Excellent | DOT 5 silicone also fine |
| Coolant / antifreeze (ethylene glycol) | Excellent | Including diluted service coolant |
| Methanol, ethanol, IPA | Excellent | Cleaning + assembly OK |
| Detergents, soap, weak alkalis | Good | Workshop wash-down OK · hot caustic hydrolyses |
| Sea water / saline solution | Excellent | PET marine-grade chemistry · long-term immersion OK |
| Hydrogen peroxide ≤ 6% | Excellent | Stronger H₂O₂ attacks long-term |
| Acetone | Good | PET more solvent-resistant than amorphous PETG |
| MEK, toluene, xylene | Limited | Brief contact only · long soak attacks PET |
| Strong alkalis (NaOH > 10%) | Fails | PET hydrolyses in hot caustic · alkali attack |
| Weak organic acids (acetic, citric) | Good | Cold + dilute is fine · hot conc. degrades over weeks |
| Hot water (sustained > 80°C) | Fails | Hydrolytic attack · PET hydrolyses progressively |
| Strong acids (sulphuric, HCl, nitric) | Fails | Concentrated acid attacks PET backbone |
| Chlorinated solvents long-term (TCE, DCM) | Fails | Solvent crazing + dissolution |
| Phenols | Fails | Strong PET solvent |
| High-temperature steam | Fails | Combined heat + moisture · hydrolyses repeatedly-autoclaved parts |
Ratings reflect long-term immersion / sustained exposure. Brief contact (cleaning wipes, splashes) is more forgiving. For mission-critical chemical service, request a 7-day immersion sample before committing the design.
Standard PET-CF17 is rated UL94 HB at 1.5mm wall · the lowest horizontal-burn rating. For UL94 V-0 / V-2 self-certification (electrical enclosures, transportation, aerospace), step sideways to PPS-CF (V-0 at 1.5mm) or PA6-FR (flame-retardant nylon).
No · standard PET-CF17 is insulative. Surface resistivity is >10¹² Ω/sq per the TDS (rated OL · overload, beyond ESD-safe range). The 17% CF loading sits below the percolation threshold (typically 25-35 wt% for PET matrices). For ESD-sensitive electronics handling jigs and PCB fixtures, use PETG-ESD or PA612-ESD (dedicated anti-static grades).
Short-cycle yes, repeated cycles no. 121°C steam sits above PET's Tg (79°C) but below the annealed HDT at 0.45 MPa (147.5°C). Single autoclave cycles are mechanically workable on annealed parts. However, PET hydrolyses under combined heat plus moisture, so repeated autoclave cycles progressively degrade the polymer chain. For routine repeat steam autoclave (clinical, lab), PEEK or PPSU are the correct materials. Dry-heat sterilisation, EtO, UV-C, gamma, and IPA wipe-down are all compatible with PET-CF.
Continuous service (annealed): -20 to ~100°C (HDT 1.8 MPa is 105°C). Short-term load: up to ~147°C (HDT 0.45 MPa). Outdoor: moderate UV tolerance, better than PA-CF nylons but coat with 2K paint for multi-year exterior service. Humid environments: yes, the headline application · 0.53% water absorption means dimensional stability holds across humidity cycles. Not for steam autoclave (repeated), not for ESD service, not for flame-rated applications, not for sub-2mm thin-walled bending parts.
You'll hear back from our team within 24 hours · with material-fit check, ISO-referenced spec, and lead time on every quote.