Rev1 ABS-CF The Stiff, Dimensionally-Stable Carbon-Fiber Structural Filament
The Stiff, Dimensionally-Stable Carbon-Fiber Structural Filament
ABS-CF is carbon-fiber-reinforced ABS: chopped carbon fiber makes it far stiffer and more dimensionally stable than plain ABS, with much less warping, while keeping ABS's good heat resistance (~95–100°C) and toughness. The result is a structural, load-bearing filament with a premium matte-black carbon finish — one color, on 1 kg and 3 kg spools. Abrasive: it needs a hardened-steel nozzle. Full specifications →
Made to order — ships from Rev1, Auburn Hills MI (1–3 weeks). Need a 3 kg spool or case pricing? Call (248) 707-2950.
Carbon-reinforced, dimension-locked, supported by humans.
Rev1 ABS-CF is precision-extruded 1.75 mm carbon-fiber ABS, wound evenly and vacuum-sealed with desiccant, then made to order and supported from Auburn Hills, Michigan.
When the part has to stay stiff, straight, and take heat.
PLA is easy but soft; plain ABS is heat-resistant but warps. Rev1 ABS-CF adds chopped carbon fiber to ABS, making it far stiffer and more dimensionally stable, with much less warping, while keeping ABS's good heat resistance (~95–100°C) and toughness. The trade-off is that it's abrasive and wants a hardened nozzle plus an enclosed, draft-free printer — give it that and Rev1 ABS-CF makes rigid, structural parts with a premium matte-black carbon finish.
Even diameter and a clean wind for reliable, low-warp runs.
Round, consistent 1.75 mm carbon-fiber filament feeds smoothly through a hardened nozzle so long enclosed prints don’t fail.
Every Rev1 ABS-CF spool is wound evenly and held to a tight diameter, so it feeds without under-extrusion across a full 1 kg or 3 kg run. Vacuum-sealed with desiccant to arrive dry — critical for carbon-fiber ABS, which prints best straight out of the bag.
Chopped carbon fiber lifts stiffness and rigidity well past plain ABS — ideal for load-bearing structural parts.
Far more dimensionally stable than plain ABS, with much less warping on large flat parts.
Keeps ABS's good heat resistance — holds shape in hot cars, enclosures, and near motors.
A premium matte-black carbon surface that hides layer lines — one color: Carbon Fiber.
Print settings for clean, low-warp ABS-CF.
ABS-CF is abrasive and rewards a stable, draft-free environment. A hardened-steel nozzle is required; an enclosure, a hot bed, and minimal part cooling keep corners down and layers bonded. The carbon fiber reduces warp, but an enclosure is still advised.
The carbon fiber is abrasive — run a hardened-steel or ruby nozzle, 0.4 mm or larger. Brass wears out fast.
Run hot for strong layer adhesion; carbon-filled ABS likes a touch more heat than plain ABS.
A hot bed plus glue or an adhesive sheet prevents the corners from lifting.
An enclosure holds chamber heat and blocks drafts — still the #1 fix for warping and cracking.
Recommended slicer settings
A solid starting profile for Rev1 ABS-CF on an enclosed FDM printer with a hardened nozzle. Tune cooling and chamber temperature for your machine.
| Setting | Recommended | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle temperature | 250–270 °C | Run hot for strong layer bonding and to reduce cracking. |
| Bed temperature | 90–110 °C | Glue stick or ABS slurry on glass/PEI for a strong first layer. |
| Chamber / enclosure | Warm, draft-free | Still the biggest factor in warp- and crack-free ABS-CF. |
| Print speed | 30–60 mm/s | Moderate speeds help interlayer strength. |
| Part cooling fan | 0–20 % | Keep cooling low — too much fan cracks layers. |
| Retraction | 1–5 mm | Direct drive: ~1–2 mm. Tune to control stringing. |
| Nozzle type / size | Hardened, 0.4 mm + | Required — carbon fiber is abrasive and eats brass nozzles. |
| Drying | 65–80 °C · 4–6 h | Dry if exposed to humidity; carbon-fiber ABS absorbs some moisture. |
| Post-processing | Sand / prime | Prints matte black off the bed; sand or prime if you want a smoother face. |
Structural parts that have to stay stiff under load and heat.
The carbon-reinforced choice for stiff, structural parts.
ABS-CF trades plain ABS's low warp tolerance for real structural performance: carbon fiber adds stiffness and dimensional stability while keeping ABS's good heat resistance and toughness. One color — Carbon Fiber matte black — on 1 kg and 3 kg spools, Made to order.
Under-hood brackets that stay stiff and straight.
Carbon-fiber stiffness plus ABS heat resistance for structural parts near the engine.
Structural mounting brackets, mounts, and ducting that live under the hood — ABS-CF holds its shape under load and heat where plain ABS would flex or warp.
Rugged sealed housings that shrug off knocks.
Stiff, dimensionally stable boxes and cases for electronics and equipment.
ABS-CF makes a rugged enclosure material — stiff walls that stay flat, clean snap-fits, and enough toughness to survive drops and daily handling.
Precision jigs and fixtures that hold tolerance.
Carbon-reinforced, dimensionally stable tooling that stands up to repeated use.
Print the fixtures, jigs, and assembly aids your line needs — ABS-CF resists warp and keeps its shape through heat, clamping, and repeated cycles.
Stiff, light quadcopter and UAV frames.
Carbon fiber adds rigidity that resists flex and vibration in flight.
Drone arms and UAV frames need stiffness without dead weight — ABS-CF's carbon reinforcement damps vibration and keeps the airframe rigid where plain ABS would flex.
Rugged power-tool bodies built to take abuse.
Stiff, heat-resistant housings for tools and equipment.
Power-tool bodies and equipment housings take heat, impact, and constant handling — ABS-CF gives them stiff walls and a durable matte-black carbon finish that hides wear.
Structural gears that keep their shape under load.
Stiff enough for load-bearing mechanical parts.
Spur gears, arms, and mechanical parts need rigidity and dimensional stability under stress — ABS-CF holds tooth geometry and resists creep where plain ABS would deflect. Ask us about 3 kg spools and case pricing.
ABS-CF vs. plain ABS vs. PC+-CF.
Pick by how stiff and heat-resistant the part has to be. ABS-CF wins on stiffness and dimensional stability over plain ABS; PC+-CF pushes higher for maximum stiffness and heat, at a higher print difficulty and cost.
| Rev1 ABS-CF | Plain ABS | PC+-CF | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stiffness | High (carbon-reinforced) | Medium | Highest |
| Dimensional stability | High, low warp | Medium, warps | High |
| Heat resistance | Good (~95–100 °C) | Good (~100 °C) | Highest (~110°C+) |
| Nozzle | Hardened required | Brass OK | Hardened required |
| Enclosure | Recommended | Recommended | Required |
| Cost | Higher than plain ABS | Lowest | Highest |
| Best for | Stiff structural parts | General functional | Max stiffness / heat |
General material guidance; exact performance depends on part geometry, print settings, and grade. For UV/outdoor use consider ASA-CF; for maximum stiffness and heat, step up to PC+-CF.
Rev1 ABS-CF Technical Data
Mechanical & thermal properties
Typical carbon-fiber ABS values for engineering reference. Printed-part performance varies with wall count, infill, layer height, and orientation — treat these as material-level guidance, not a part spec.
| Property | Typical Value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | ~48 MPa | ISO 527 |
| Elongation at break | ~4 % | ISO 527 |
| Flexural strength | ~80 MPa | ISO 178 |
| Flexural modulus | ~3,800 MPa | ISO 178 |
| Izod impact (notched) | ~7 kJ/m² | ISO 180 |
| Glass transition (Tg) | ~105 °C | DSC |
| Heat deflection (HDT, 0.45 MPa) | ~95–100 °C | ISO 75 |
| Shelf life (sealed, dry) | 12 months | — |
Specs, profiles, and a human to call.
Your trusted materials partner.
Every spool is checked for tight diameter tolerance and reliable, repeatable printing.
Call (248) 707-2950 and reach people who actually print and support these materials.
Case quantities and standing orders of carbon-fiber ABS at $49.99 per 1 kg.
FAQ
Rev1 ABS-CF — Common Questions
Do I need an enclosure to print ABS-CF?
Recommended. Like plain ABS, ABS-CF can warp and crack when it cools unevenly or hits a draft — the carbon fiber reduces warp, but an enclosure that holds chamber heat and blocks airflow is still the best insurance against cracking. A heated bed at 90–110 °C is also essential.
ABS-CF vs plain ABS vs PC+-CF — which should I use?
Use ABS-CF when you want stiffness and dimensional stability well above plain ABS while keeping good heat resistance (~95–100 °C). Plain ABS is cheaper and prints on a brass nozzle but warps more; PC+-CF pushes higher stiffness and heat but is harder to print. For UV/outdoor use, choose ASA-CF; for easy prints, PLA or PETG.
What color and sizes are available?
One color — Carbon Fiber (matte black) — on 1 kg and 3 kg spools, at $49.99 per 1 kg. It’s made to order and ships from Rev1 in about 1–3 weeks. Pick your spool size in the buy-box, or ask us about case quantities.
How do I stop ABS-CF from warping and cracking?
Enclose the printer, run a 90–110 °C bed with glue or ABS slurry, keep part cooling low or off, and avoid drafts and AC vents. The carbon fiber already lowers warp, and a warm chamber plus brims helps large flat parts stay stuck.
Do I need a hardened nozzle for ABS-CF?
Yes — the chopped carbon fiber is abrasive and will quickly wear out a standard brass nozzle. Run a hardened-steel or ruby nozzle, 0.4 mm or larger. Note that ABS-CF also emits a styrene odor, so print in a ventilated space or with enclosure filtration.
What finish does ABS-CF have?
It prints to a premium matte-black carbon finish straight off the bed, which naturally hides layer lines — no acetone smoothing needed. If you want a smoother face you can sand and prime; unlike plain ABS, the carbon fibers mean acetone vapor won’t give a glossy sheen.
How heat-resistant is ABS-CF?
ABS-CF keeps ABS’s good heat resistance — it holds its shape to roughly 95–100 °C (HDT), well past PLA and PETG — suitable for hot car interiors, enclosures, and near-motor parts. For even higher sustained heat, step up to PC+-CF.
Is the 3 kg spool better value?
Yes — the 3 kg spool lowers cost per kilogram and means fewer spool changes on long or production runs. It’s the go-to for shops and print farms running structural parts.
Can Rev1 quote bulk or case pricing?
Yes. Tell us the quantity and we confirm lead time and quote case pricing with standing-order scheduling, usually within one business day. Call (248) 707-2950.