Two carbon-filled polyamides
PA-CF is a polyamide (nylon) filled with short carbon fibres. PPA-CF is a polyphthalamide, a higher-performance semi-aromatic polyamide, also carbon-filled. Both give stiffer and lighter parts than common filaments, but not at the same level.
The differences that matter
| Criterion | PA-CF | PPA-CF |
|---|---|---|
| Stiffness | High | Very high |
| Heat resistance | Good | Higher |
| Moisture absorption | More marked | Lower |
| Dimensional stability | Good | Very good |
| Typical use | Jigs, tooling, lightweight technical parts | Structural parts, demanding functional prototypes |
| Processing | More accessible | More demanding |
Indicative levels: exact values depend on the filament grade and printing conditions.
How to choose?
- Part exposed to heat, repeated loads or a humid environment: go for PPA-CF.
- Jig, bracket or tooling without severe thermal constraints: PA-CF is often enough and remains economical.
- Extreme application (very high temperature, harsh chemistry): look at PEEK or PEKK.
And the finish?
With 0.08 mm layers, surfaces are smoother and details better rendered, whatever the material. See our PPA-CF 3D printing page and the full filament comparison.