If nylon carbon fiber is an engineering material that is “good enough,” THE K10™ PPS CF10 is the “heavy-duty” choice designed for extreme operating conditions. Engine compartments, areas around transmissions, high-voltage electrical components—environments where ordinary filaments struggle with high temperatures and chemical exposure are exactly where it excels.
THE K10™ PPS CF10 is a carbon-fiber-reinforced polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) 3D printing material developed by Kexcelled. Reinforced with 10% carbon fiber, it combines high strength, high stiffness, and excellent high-temperature resistance. It delivers a heat deflection temperature (HDT) of up to 257°C and can be used continuously in environments above 200°C, while retaining the inherent flame-retardant and chemical-resistant properties of PPS.
With these properties, THE K10™ PPS CF10 is well suited for functional components and high-voltage parts in industries such as automotive and aerospace, where high-temperature resistance, electrical insulation, and structural strength are critical.
High Strength & High Stiffness for Metal-Like Structural Performance
With 10% carbon fiber reinforcement, THE K10™ PPS CF10 achieves a flexural strength at maximum force of 144–154 MPa in the XY direction, with a flexural modulus of 7800–8400 MPa. Its stiffness is comparable to that of certain metal materials.
These mechanical properties make it suitable for printing functional and structural components where high mechanical strength is required, while helping reduce the risk of deformation or fracture caused by insufficient material strength. This is particularly important for components exposed to continuous loads or vibration.
Extreme Heat Resistance: Stable Performance Above 200°C
What truly sets THE K10™ PPS CF10 apart is its performance in high-temperature environments.
With an HDT of up to 257°C and a Vicat softening temperature (VST) of 271.9°C, it can be used continuously in environments above 200°C while maintaining good dimensional stability and resisting deformation caused by heat.
This makes it suitable for long-term use in high-temperature applications such as engine-adjacent components and high-temperature tooling, without the material easily softening or losing structural integrity.
Easy to Print, with Reduced Clogging and Warping
High-performance materials often come with higher printing difficulty, but THE K10™ PPS CF10 strikes a balance between performance and printability.
With a melt flow rate (MFR) of 10–20 g/10 min, the material offers suitable flow characteristics for smooth extrusion and helps reduce the risk of nozzle clogging. Its low shrinkage and good dimensional stability also help minimize warping during printing. When paired with appropriate printing conditions, it can achieve reliable results even on an open-frame printer.
This helps reduce one of the common challenges associated with high-temperature engineering materials—a high failure rate during printing—making PPS-level performance more accessible for practical 3D printing applications.
High Flame Retardancy for Added Safety
Thanks to the inherently flame-retardant properties of the PPS base material, THE K10™ PPS CF10 offers excellent self-extinguishing performance.
This makes it suitable for applications where fire safety is particularly important, including electrical insulation and high-voltage components, providing an additional level of safety for end-use parts.
What Can You Print with This High-Strength Filament?
- Automotive
Engine-bay brackets, sensor housings, high-temperature fixtures, and other components that need to withstand continuous heat generated during engine operation. It can also serve as an alternative to certain metal or higher-cost engineering plastic components.
- Aerospace
Functional components requiring high-temperature resistance, electrical insulation, and high structural strength, such as cable/ wire harness fixtures and high-voltage component housings.
- Industrial
Jigs, fixtures, and insulating components designed for high-temperature environments, as well as functional parts that need to operate reliably in production environments involving prolonged heat exposure or chemical exposure.
Troubleshooting Guide: Common Printing Problems & Solutions
To help ensure a smoother printing experience, Kexcelled has compiled the following troubleshooting tips.
Q1: Why does the print warp or detach from the build plate immediately, or even delaminate and break during printing?
A: Rapid cooling can cause crystallization shrinkage, resulting in warping or layer separation.
Solutions:
- Use a heated chamber at around 65°C.
- Set the build plate temperature to 100–140°C.
- Apply a dedicated high-temperature adhesive or switch to a high-temperature build plate.
Q2: How can I tell if the filament has absorbed moisture? How should I dry and store it?
A: Moisture absorption may cause a rough surface, stringing, bubbles, layer defects, and even nozzle clogging.
Solutions:
- Visual and extrusion check: Listen for crackling or popping sounds during extrusion. Moist filament may produce bubbles, spots, or an inconsistent extrusion appearance.
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Drying: Follow the official drying parameters for the material.
Recommended printing parameters: nozzle temperature 285–320°C, build plate temperature 100–120°C, cooling fan 0–50%. - Daily moisture protection: After use, store unused filament in a vacuum-sealed bag with desiccant. During storage or printing, use a dedicated filament dryer or a sealed dry box with desiccant.
Q3: Why does the extrusion gradually decrease after several hours of printing, eventually causing a complete nozzle clog?
A: Carbon fiber particles can gradually accumulate inside the nozzle and cause clogging. Residual material that is not fully purged during filament changes can also contribute to blockage.
Solutions:
- Use a larger nozzle: A 0.6 mm or 0.8 mm nozzle is recommended. Do not use a 0.2 mm nozzle.
- Heat and clean the nozzle: Heat the nozzle to 250–280°C, then use a cleaning needle or suitable cleaning method to clear the blockage. Regular filament can also be used to flush out residual material. If the blockage cannot be cleared, replace the nozzle.
- Properly purge during filament changes: When switching from PPS-CF to a lower-temperature filament such as PLA, first set the nozzle to 250–300°C to purge the previous material and extrude the new filament. Then lower the temperature to 220–240°C and continue extruding until the residual material has been fully cleared.
Q4: Why does the extruder keep making clicking sounds and fail to feed the filament?
A: The hard and brittle nature of carbon-fiber-reinforced filament can increase feeding resistance. Insufficient hot-end cooling may also cause heat creep.
Solutions:
- Use a dual-gear metal extruder to improve filament grip.
- Minimize bends in the filament path.
- Make sure the hot-end cooling fan is operating at full power.
Q5: Why does the printed part still soften or deform when exposed to high temperatures?
A: This is mainly related to insufficient crystallization of the PPS material, as well as the wall thickness, size, and load-bearing structure of the printed part. Thin-walled or large parts are more susceptible to thermal deformation due to uneven cooling or insufficient crystallization.
Solutions:
- Optimize the part design: Increase the wall thickness (≥2 mm recommended) or add reinforcing ribs in areas prone to deformation to improve structural rigidity.
- Post-print annealing: Place the printed part in an oven at 130–150°C for 1–2 hours to promote further crystallization and help unlock the material's full temperature-resistance potential.
| Nozzle Temperature | 285–320℃ |
| Bed Temperature | 100–120℃ |
| Bed Adjustment | Use tape or glue |
| Cooling Fan | 0–50% |
| Printing Speed | ≤250 mm/s |
The above parameters are based on testing with a 0.4 mm nozzle. Actual results may vary depending on the printer and setup. We recommend conducting small-scale parameter tests before batch printing.
