Polymaker Fiberon PET-CF17: problems, parts and running costs
Checked: 2026-10-25
Summary
Fiberon PET-CF17 is a carbon-fiber-reinforced PET filament for stiff functional parts, printed at 270-300°C with the cooling fan off. The recurring problems are brittle filament that needs a gentle path, poor surface finish with a 0.6 mm nozzle, accelerated nozzle wear, annealing tradeoffs that add brittleness, and flammability. Running cost is filament at $36.66-$49.98 per kg depending on spool size, plus a hardened nozzle and all-metal hotend if the printer does not already have them. It is a good buy for functional parts needing stiffness and heat resistance, and overkill for decorative or low-stress prints.
Common problems and fixes
- Brittle filament — the filament is brittle and needs a gentle filament path with no sharp bends; tight extruder paths can snap it. [6]
- Poor surface finish with a 0.6 mm nozzle — one owner printing at 270°C reported poor surface finish with a 0.6 mm nozzle; no manufacturer surface-finish specification was found. [6]
- Accelerated nozzle wear — the abrasive carbon-fiber filler increases nozzle wear; the cost is not quantified in the sources read. [5]
- Annealing tradeoffs — annealing improves strength and heat resistance but adds brittleness and can deform thin sections; gradual heating, lower-temperature longer annealing, or retaining supports are suggested. [4][6]
- Flammability — the material burns if ignited and does not self-extinguish. [6]
- Moisture claim vs. TDS — manufacturer copy describes the material as moisture-insensitive, while the TDS reports 0.53% equilibrium moisture absorption and recommends drying at 100°C for 10 h. [3][4]
- Overkill for low-stress prints — Goodprints3D considers it overkill for decorative, low-stress or basic prototype prints, where plain PETG is the better choice. [5]
Parts and consumables
- Filament spool (0.5 kg Black $24.99, 1 kg $44.99, 3 kg $109.99) — consumed per print; observed shop prices as of 2026-10-25, with free economy shipping on orders over $49. The 3 kg variant has the lowest observed unit cost at $36.66 per kg. [7]
- Hardened nozzle — required because of the abrasive filler; a wear item. [4][5]
- All-metal hotend rated 270°C or higher — required hardware; not included with the filament. [4]
- Filament dryer — may be needed depending on ambient humidity; drying condition is 100°C for 10 h. [3][4]
- Electricity for drying and annealing — drying at 100°C for 10 h and annealing at 120°C for 10 h. [3][4]
Yearly running cost
Not enough data for a typical annual figure, because usage varies. Observed cost is $36.66-$49.98 per kg depending on spool size, plus a one-time hardened nozzle and all-metal hotend if the printer does not already have them, plus electricity for drying and annealing. There is no capsule or subscription lock-in.
When it is a good buy
The material is more justified for functional parts needing stiffness, heat resistance and dimensional stability than for decorative or low-stress prints. Published TDS values for annealed specimens include 147.5°C heat deflection at 0.45 MPa, 105°C at 1.8 MPa, and a dry bending modulus of 5481.0 MPa (X-Y). The 3 kg variant has the lowest observed unit cost and the 0.5 kg variant the highest. If the printer does not already have a hardened nozzle and all-metal hotend, add that hardware cost before comparing filament prices. Plain PETG is the better choice for decorative, low-stress or basic prototype prints. Observed shop prices as of 2026-10-25 are $24.99 for 0.5 kg, $44.99 for 1 kg and $109.99 for 3 kg in Black, with free economy shipping on orders over $49; an owner price note from April 2025 of about $25 for 500 g is consistent with the observed 0.5 kg price. [3][5][6][7]