8% milled carbon-fibre PLA · matt-black opaque finish, hides layer lines, zero-warp printability. NOT an engineering-load grade and NOT tougher than plain PLA (CF lowers impact to ~2.5 kJ/m²) · the value wedge is the CF look + dimensional stability, not a mechanical uplift over plain PLA. Figures representative of PolyLite PLA-CF pending full TDS verification.
PLA-CF carbon fibre 3D printing service · UK · quoted in 6 hours.
The CF aesthetic without the engineering price · for premium-looking visual prototypes.
Four quick visuals. Start with which material to pick and where PLA-CF works; the engineering detail is at the end if you want it.
PLA matrix from fermented lactic acid + 8 wt% milled carbon fibre. The CF additive makes PLA-CF NOT compostable · the EN 13432 pathway is lost once fibre is added.
PLA fails by clean fracture at 6.3% strain. PETG yields then flows at 8.4% (similar Charpy, more give). For real impact resistance: ABS (5× Charpy) or impact-modified PLA / PLA+ (12× Charpy).
"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."
8% milled carbon-fibre additive · matt-black opaque with distinctive CF speckle. The engineering-look aesthetic at PLA pricing · hides layer lines, photographs as professional-grade.
~54 MPa · roughly on par with plain PLA (~52). The CF additive is an aesthetic + dimensional-stability play, not a strength uplift. Pick PLA-CF for the matt-black look, not load capacity.
PLA-CF earns its place when the part needs to LOOK like CF composite for visual / aesthetic reasons · the matt-black CF aesthetic at PLA pricing. NOT a structural CF material · pick when the brief is "make it look engineering-grade" not "make it engineering-grade".
PLA-CF is a CF-aesthetic variant of PLA, not a CF-engineering material. It keeps PLA's heat envelope, has LOWER tensile than plain PLA, and adds CF abrasion that requires hardened tooling. Pick a different filament if any of these apply.
Form studies that need to read as engineering-grade in client reviews · the CF speckle photographs as professional-quality, plain PLA reads as plastic prototype. Same CAD geometry, different perception.
Zero-warp printability holds tighter geometry than plain PLA for the size jigs need. Stay under PLA's 50°C HDT (studio lighting heat can clear this on dark surfaces · check). Matt-black surface doesn't reflect studio lights.
Visible-surface pieces where the CF aesthetic IS the design statement · matt-black + speckle reads as premium engineering material. Indoor display only (HDT 54°C ceiling). Hides layer lines without paint.
Pieces designed to LOOK like CF composite for sci-fi, military, industrial aesthetics. CF speckle is the design feature. Impact zones use plain PLA / PLA+ underneath. Matt-black finish reads as exposed engineering material.
A side-by-side of the three commodity thermoplastics most makers compare when picking PLA. Pick PLA unless one of the other columns wins your specific row · we also stock PLA+ (toughened PLA) when you need impact resistance without leaving the PLA family.
All values from manufacturer Technical Data Sheets V5.4 EN · injection-moulded ISO test specimens (ISO 527 tensile, ISO 178 flexural, ISO 75 HDT). Cost reflects typical UK 2026 filament pricing for stock-colour grades.
| Property | PLA-CF (here) | Plain PLA | PA12-CF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength XY | 31.2 MPa | ~52 MPa | ~86 MPa |
| Stiffness (Young's modulus XY) | 3281 MPa | 3427 MPa | ~7100 MPa |
| Charpy notched impact | 5.5 kJ/m² | 3.3 kJ/m² | 12.8 kJ/m² |
| Elongation at break XY | 13.2% | ~6% | ~4% |
| Heat deflection (HDT 0.45) | 54°C | ~60°C | ~130°C |
| Glass transition (Tg) | ~62°C | ~61°C | ~155°C |
| Density | 1.29 g/cm³ | ~1.17 g/cm³ | ~1.06 g/cm³ |
| Outdoor / UV | Limited (months) | Limited (months) | Better (months-years) |
| Cost per kg (filament) | £35-55 | £20-35 | £90-130 |
| Bio-source / disposal | ~92% bio matrix · NOT compostable (CF) | Bio-sourced, EN 13432 compostable | Petroleum, not compostable |
| Best for | Stiff matt-black aesthetic prototypes, camera/jig fixtures, cosplay · NOT impact or engineering CF | Lower-cost visual prototypes, compostable | Real engineering CF · heat + load-bearing |
This is 3DPE's standard process for PLA-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. Tell us colour, finish, indoor / outdoor.
Reviewed inside 24 hours · per-unit cost + colour confirmation.
Wall thickness, overhang, support strategy flagged before print.
Calibrated machine · stock or custom-RAL colour matched.
Sand to spec · 2K spray paint if needed · cosmetic prep.
Tracked UK courier, tracking number sent the moment it leaves.
Lead times start when CAD is signed off and colour is confirmed · CAD round-trips on rev requests can extend the clock. Custom RAL colour matching can add 1-2 days for filament procurement.
Production-quality scale model printed in stock-colour matte PLA for a property-developer brand activation · 30+ pieces, custom RAL-matched corporate colour, cosmetic-grade surface finish out of process. Indoor display only · the part profile that PLA was designed for.
PLA is polylactic acid · a bio-sourced thermoplastic polymer derived from fermented corn starch or sugarcane. PLA matrix is plant-derived but the 8% CF additive disqualifies industrial composting and biodegradability claims · treat PLA-CF as non-compostable plastic. The matt-black CF-aesthetic PLA · for premium-looking visual prototypes, rigid camera jigs, low-load brackets, and aesthetic display pieces where the CF appearance matters more than engineering load capability. Tensile strength 31.2 MPa XY (ISO 527 · ~40% below plain PLA), HDT 54°C at 0.45 MPa (ISO 75), Young's modulus 3281 MPa (slightly below plain PLA's 3427). Notched Charpy 5.5 kJ/m² · ~1.67× plain PLA (the milled CF interrupts cracks modestly); elongation 13.2% (ductile). Density 1.29 g/cm³. The 62°C glass transition is the practical service-temperature ceiling. Values per PolyLite PLA-CF TDS V5.4.
"PLA is the material I reach for when the brief is appearance-first · scale models, exhibition pieces, props, anything indoor that the eye lives on. The dimensional precision is genuinely the best of any FDM filament we stock, the colour palette is unbeatable, and parts come off the bed crisp without much post-prep. The catch is heat. PLA is unforgiving above 54°C · if the part lives anywhere a hot car or a sunlit window can hit, it's the wrong choice. We push back on that hard before quoting."
Three questions worth answering before specifying PLA · where the polymer comes from, why it's brittle, and where the 54°C cliff really matters.
Plant captures atmospheric CO₂ → polymerised → 3D-printed part → industrial compost (EN 13432) returns CO₂ to atmosphere. The bio-source story is the carbon-loop, not the disposal route.
PLA (polylactic acid) is bio-sourced. Corn starch or sugarcane is fermented into lactic acid, which is then chain-polymerised into the polymer. That makes PLA one of the only widely-used 3D printing thermoplastics with a non-petroleum feedstock · the carbon in the polymer chain came out of the air via the plant, not out of an oil well.
The end-of-life pathway is industrial composting (EN 13432 facilities · 54°C+ humid conditions for 90+ days). PLA does NOT biodegrade in your garden compost, in landfill, or in the ocean within any reasonable timeframe · don't oversell that. The bio-source is the environmental win, not the disposal route.
PLA is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic with low elongation at break (6.3% per ISO 527) and a Charpy notched impact strength of 3.3 kJ/m² (ISO 179). PLA's notched Charpy is actually comparable to PETG's 2.6 kJ/m² · the real difference is yield. PETG yields at 8.4% strain before breaking; ABS yields at 17.9% with 18 kJ/m² Charpy (~5× higher impact). PLA snaps clean. The polymer chains don't slide past each other readily under load, so when stress concentrates at a notch or layer-line junction, the part fractures with no warning rather than yielding.
That brittleness is the trade for PLA's other strengths · low shrinkage, sharp printed detail, and dimensional precision come from the same crystalline behaviour. PLA+ is a toughened blend (impact-modified PLA, sometimes with elastomer or rubber-particle additives) that softens the brittleness at the cost of slightly less crisp surface and a colour palette that's narrower than plain PLA.
PLA's glass transition temperature (Tg) sits at 61°C (DSC, 10°C/min). Below Tg the polymer chains are locked in their amorphous + crystalline domains and the part holds its shape. Above Tg the amorphous regions become rubbery · stiffness collapses, the part softens, and any residual stress from printing relaxes into warping. Heat deflection temperature (HDT) at 0.45 MPa load is 54°C, dropping to 50°C at 1.8 MPa load. UK car interiors easily clear 70°C in summer sun · PLA is the wrong material for anything that lives there.
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 | Unit | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | ||||
| Tensile strength | 31.2 | 15.1 | MPa | ISO 527 |
| Young's modulus | 3281 | 2213 | MPa | ISO 527 |
| Elongation at break | 13.2 | 0.9 | % | ISO 527 |
| Flexural strength (XY) | 51.7 | MPa | ISO 178 | |
| Flexural modulus (XY) | 3381 | MPa | ISO 178 | |
| Charpy impact (notched, XY) | 5.5 | kJ/m² | ISO 179 · ~1.67× plain PLA | |
| Thermal | ||||
| Heat deflection (HDT @ 0.45 MPa) | 54 | °C | ISO 75 | |
| Heat deflection (HDT @ 1.8 MPa) | 50 | °C | ISO 75 | |
| Glass transition temperature (Tg) | 62 | °C | DSC, 10°C/min | |
| Melting temperature (Tm) | 162 | °C | DSC lab figure · not the print temperature or the in-service softening limit (see HDT/Tg) | |
| Vicat softening temperature | 64 | °C | ISO 306 | |
| Decomposition temperature | 325 | °C | TGA, 20°C/min | |
| Physical | ||||
| Density | 1.29 | g/cm³ @ 23°C | ISO 1183 | |
| Bio-sourced content | ~92 | % (PLA matrix; +8% CF) | manufacturer spec | |
| Industrial compostability | No · 8% CF disqualifies | · | EN 13432 n/a | |
| Tensile anisotropy ratio | 2.07× | XY/Z | derived (31.2/15.1 MPa) · CF orients along print path | |
| Cosmetic / supply | ||||
| Stock colour range | Matt-black only (CF loading) | · | workshop stock | |
| Custom RAL match | Post-print 2K topcoat over adhesion-promoting primer (+0.05-0.15 mm, +24h cure) | · | on request | |
| Finish grades available | Matte, silk, glossy, marble, metallic, glow | · | workshop stock | |
PLA-CF's anisotropy is significant (2.07× XY/Z · 31.2/15.1 MPa tensile) · the milled CF orients along print paths. Strongly favour XY-direction load paths; the part is matt-black aesthetic-grade, not engineering-CF.
PLA's low elongation (6.3%) means thin walls fracture under load. The values shown follow the Hubs / Protolabs Network FDM minimums (0.8 mm supported, 2.0 mm minimum feature) · we DFM-check the wall thickness against your part's load case at quote stage.
45° is the slicer-default support threshold across every major FDM tool · PLA's fast crystallisation means it often runs steeper successfully. Exact threshold depends on cooling, geometry, and surface-finish tolerance · we DFM-check overhangs at quote stage and recommend orientation.
PLA's low shrinkage and high stiffness give it the best dimensional precision of any commodity FDM filament. Exact tolerance depends on part size, geometry, and calibration · we confirm achievable tolerance against your CAD at quote stage.
Removes 0.1-0.3 mm per surface · pre-paint prep or stand-alone hand-feel polish.
Annealing PLA causes 2-5% non-uniform shrinkage and warping · the dimensional cost almost always outweighs the small crystallinity gain. Need higher heat resistance? Switch material to PETG / ABS / ASA.
PLA takes paint cleanly. Adds 0.05-0.15 mm per surface · sand to 800 grit, primer + topcoat · for colour-matched cosmetic parts beyond the stock filament range.
PLA doesn't respond to acetone (works on ABS only) and the solvents that do work (DCM, chloroform) are workshop hazards. Pick PLA-silk or PLA-matte at print-time for layer-hidden finish · or sand + 2K paint for glass-smooth.
Every value on this page traces to an ISO test method. We don't quote derived numbers without naming the standard.
No offshore subcontracting. Files, prints, and couriers all stay in the UK.
Send three things: where the part lives (indoor / outdoor, ambient temp), what it does (cosmetic / functional / load-bearing), and colour / finish. our team come back inside 24 hours · if PETG, ABS, ASA, or another material fits better, we say so.
our team review every brief before quote. No ticket queue, no account managers.
According to the PolyLite PLA-CF TDS, PLA-CF reaches Young's modulus 3281 ± 80 MPa (XY) per ISO 527 with notched Charpy 5.5 ± 0.2 kJ/m² (~1.67× plain PLA) and Tm 162 °C.
Yes. We run a closed loop in our own workshop. Failed prints, purge, and support waste are collected, reground, and reprocessed here instead of going to landfill. That is standard on every PLA-CF job, no surcharge. PLA-CF itself is bio-sourced from corn or sugarcane, so the feedstock and the waste stream are both accounted for.
PLA-CF's matrix is bio-sourced PLA (fermented corn/sugarcane lactic acid) but the 8% carbon-fibre additive removes the compostability: PLA-CF is NOT industrially compostable, NOT home-compostable, and NOT recyclable through PLA streams. The bio-matrix is a feedstock note, not an end-of-life claim · for a genuinely compostable part specify plain PLA.
No. Although the PLA matrix is bio-sourced, the 8% carbon-fibre additive disqualifies PLA-CF from EN 13432 industrial composting and from any biodegradability or PLA-stream recycling claim. Treat PLA-CF as a non-compostable engineering-look plastic. If you need a certified-compostable part, specify plain PLA (and even then only via industrial composting, never home compost or landfill).
Brittle by elongation rather than raw impact. PLA's Charpy notched impact is 3.3 kJ/m² ( TDS V5.4), comparable to PETG's 2.6 kJ/m² · the real difference is yield behaviour. PLA fractures at 6.3% strain with no warning. PETG yields at 8.4% strain then flows. ABS yields at 17.9% with 18 kJ/m² Charpy · 5× more impact-resistant. impact-modified PLA (toughened blend, the "PLA+" answer) is the impact answer within the PLA family · 38.9 kJ/m² Charpy, 12× plain PLA, at the cost of slightly lower stiffness. Drop a finished plain-PLA bracket on a hard floor and it's likely to snap clean.
Tg sits at 62°C · above this PLA softens rapidly. HDT is 54°C at 0.45 MPa load and 50°C at 1.8 MPa. A PLA part left in a hot car (interior easily hits 70°C+ in summer) will deform. Anything that touches hot water, sees direct sunlight on a warm day, or sits near a radiator is the wrong use case. Switch to PETG (HDT 78°C) or ABS / ASA (HDT 100°C) for warm-service parts.
No, not for any sustained period. PLA yellows and embrittles in months of direct UV. Combined with its low Tg (54°C), outdoor service is the wrong use case. ASA is the outdoor-default · UV-stabilised PC for clear / engineering outdoor parts. PLA for indoor only.
PLA-CF is matt-black only · the 8% CF loading drives the dark coloration. The matt-black finish with virtually invisible layer lines is one of the main reasons to specify PLA-CF · the carbon-fibre visual signature is the wedge. Paintable for colour-matched aesthetic work, but the as-printed matt-black covers most professional-prototype use cases. For colour-range options, specify plain PLA (30+ stock colours).
PETG is more ductile, not raw-tougher. Notched Charpy is similar (PETG 2.6 kJ/m² vs PLA 3.3 kJ/m² per TDS V5.4) but PETG yields at 8.4% strain before breaking, while PLA snaps clean at 6.3%. PETG holds more heat (HDT 78°C vs 54°C), survives mild outdoor exposure slightly better, and dents instead of cracks under impact. PLA wins on stiffness (3427 vs 2117 MPa Young's modulus), dimensional precision, ease of printing, and colour range. Pick PETG when you need yield-before-break behaviour · PLA when precision + appearance + stiffness matter.
No · annealing PLA causes unpredictable shrinkage (often 2-5% non-uniform across XY and Z) and frequently leaves the part warped. The crystallinity gain is real but the dimensional cost usually isn't worth it. If you need higher heat resistance, switch material to PETG / ABS / ASA rather than annealing PLA. Different from PA12-CF, where annealing IS recommended.
Filament cost is roughly £35-55/kg for PLA-CF · about 1.5-2× plain PLA (£20-35/kg) due to the CF additive and hardened-nozzle wear. PETG ~£25-40/kg, ABS/ASA ~£30-45/kg, PA12-CF £90-130/kg. PLA-CF is the matt-black-aesthetic option, not the most affordable. Per-unit pricing depends on geometry and quantity · ask in your brief.
PLA's chemical resistance is one of its weakest properties. It fails against most solvents, all strong acids and alkalis, and most fuels. Useful for water, mild detergents, and brief alcohol contact only. Match your specific exposure below before specifying.
| Chemical / family | Resistance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cold water, room temperature | Excellent | Indoor parts, washable surfaces |
| Detergents, soap (mild) | Excellent | Workshop wash-down OK for indoor parts |
| Sea water / saline (brief) | Limited | Weeks-to-months OK · saturated immersion = hydrolysis |
| Mineral oil (brief contact) | Limited | Surface ok briefly · sustained contact softens |
| Methanol, ethanol, IPA (cleaning wipe) | Limited | Cleaning OK, no soak |
| Methanol, ethanol, IPA (sustained) | Fails | PLA softens and creeps |
| Brake fluid (DOT 3 / 4 glycol) | Limited | Brief contact only |
| Weak organic acids (acetic, citric) | Limited | Slow attack · brief contact only |
| Hot water (sustained > 50°C) | Fails | Tg cliff + hydrolysis combined |
| Petrol, diesel | Fails | Sustained contact dissolves PLA |
| Engine oils sustained | Fails | Creeps and softens |
| Acetone | Fails | Surface attack · does NOT smooth PLA like ABS |
| MEK | Fails | Dissolves PLA |
| Toluene, xylene | Fails | Strong solvents |
| DCM, chloroform | Fails | Industrial PLA solvents · workshop hazards |
| Ethyl acetate | Fails | PLA solvent · used for industrial vapour smoothing (workshop hazard) |
| Strong acids (sulphuric, HCl, nitric) | Fails | Polymer chain breakdown |
| Strong alkalis (NaOH > 5%) | Fails | Saponification of ester bonds |
Ratings reflect long-term / sustained exposure. Brief contact (cleaning wipes, splashes) is more forgiving than the table suggests. For any chemical service beyond indoor cleaning, switch material to PETG, ABS, or PA12-CF depending on the exposure.
Layer lines visible like any FDM print · but PLA holds dimensional precision exceptionally well, which means consistent layer-line geometry. PLA sands smoothly through 240/400/800 grits. Takes 2K spray paint cleanly. Matte and silk PLA grades hide layer lines better than glossy. For glass-smooth without paint, PLA-silk + light hand-sanding gets close.
Plain stock-colour PLA at standard infill. For batches above 20 units, ask for batch pricing · the per-unit drops significantly because workshop time per part falls as we plan multi-part beds. Stock colours are lower-cost than custom-RAL matched. Tell us colour + qty in the brief and we'll quote the most cost-effective configuration.
You'll hear back from our team within 24 hours · with material-fit check, colour confirmation, and lead time on every quote.