Gen 3 CarbonX™ PA6+CF Carbon Fiber Reinforced Nylon
Gen 3 CarbonX™ PA6+CF filament is formulated using a PA6 copolymer reinforced with high-modulus carbon fiber. This filament is ideal for anyone that desires a structural component with high modulus, improved chemical and thermal resistance, excellent surface quality, and ease of printing. Gen3 has higher HDT than our previous grades (147°C at .45MPa) allowing for expanded use in higher-temp applications.
Unparalleled rigidity gives designers the properties they need to make their 3D printed parts with less material and save weight without sacrificing stiffness.
Gearbox HT2™ 3D Printer: Print industrial-grade parts using our PA6+CF and more with the new Gearbox™ HT2 High-Temp 3D Printer.
Print Recommendations
Extruder Temp
240-270°C
Bed Temp
80-110°C
Heated Chamber
Not required, but
improves layer bonding
Nozzle Specs
0.4mm diameter minimum
Hardened Steel Nozzle
Bed Adhesion
Magigoo Bed Prep
Layer Height
0.25mm or higher
Drying Specs
90°C for 4 hours
Supports
Water Soluble Support
Benefits of Nylon PA6+CF:
- Excellent printability
- High tensile strength and rigidity
- Abrasion and wear resistance
- Improved chemical resistance over traditional 3D printing materials
- High thermal properties
Filament Specifications:
1.75mm and 2.85mm +/- 0.05mm in diameter
Recommended Print Settings:
- Extruder: 240-270°C
- Bed Temp: 80-110°C
- Nozzle: We currently recommend a hardened steel nozzle with a minimum diameter of 0.4mm
- Other: Ideal layer height is 60% of nozzle diameter. We do not recommend printing layers smaller than 0.2mm with carbon fiber reinforced filaments.
- Bed Prep: Magigoo Bed Prep Adhesive gives us the best results
- Heated Chamber: Not required, but a heated chamber between 30-80°C allows for superior layer bonding and mechanical properties
- Supports: Water soluble AquaTek X1 USM works great for complex parts.
- Drying Instructions: 90°C for 4 hours.
Carbon Fiber Reinforced Filament
What Is It?
Fibers 5-10 micrometers wide made of carbon. The fibers are aligned following the axis of the material.
This, along with their physical makeup, are what give this material its excellent properties.
What Does It Do?
Carbon Fibers demonstrate a lot of desirable material properties:
- High stiffness
- High tensile strength
- High heat tolerance
- High chemical resistance
- Low weight
- Low thermal expansion
How Does It Work?
Reinforcing plastic with carbon fibers produces a 3D printing filament which exhibits the best properties of both the carbon fibers and the plastic of choice.
What Is It Good For?
Ideal for any applications which require light weight and rigidity.
Carbon fiber reinforced parts, designed to use less material and save weight, is extremely popular in aerospace, civil engineering, the military, and motorsports.
Abrasive Material
This material is particularly abrasive among 3D printing filaments. Users may find standard brass nozzles are chewed through very quickly compared to standard wear and tear. When worn through, the nozzle diameter will widen inconsistently and the printer will experience extrusion issues.
Because of this, it's strongly recommended this material be printed through a hardened steel nozzle rather than a softer metal. Hardened steel nozzles can often be inexpensive and easily installed depending on your printer manufacturer's instructions.
What is Gen 3 CarbonX™ PA6+CF?
Gen 3 CarbonX™ PA6+CF is a high-performance composite material made by reinforcing polyamide 6 (PA6) nylon with carbon fibers. This enhancement significantly improves its mechanical properties, thermal stability, and durability, making it ideal for demanding engineering applications.
How does carbon fiber reinforcement improve the properties of PA6 nylon?
Carbon fiber reinforcement increases the tensile strength, stiffness, and thermal stability of PA6 nylon. It also improves wear resistance and reduces the material’s overall weight. These enhancements make the nylon composite more suitable for applications that experience high mechanical loads and extreme temperatures.
What are the primary applications of Gen 3 CarbonX™ PA6+CF?
Primary applications include automotive components, aerospace parts, industrial machinery, and high-performance consumer goods. The material is particularly favored in areas where a combination of strength, thermal stability, and light weight is crucial.
What are the advantages of using Gen 3 CarbonX™ PA6+CF over other composite materials?
Gen 3 CarbonX™ PA6+CF offers superior mechanical strength and thermal properties compared to many other composite materials. It also provides better dimensional stability, resistance to chemicals, and durability, which are essential for long-lasting, reliable components in harsh environments.
Can Gen 3 CarbonX™ PA6+CF be recycled?
Yes, although recycling carbon fiber-reinforced materials can be challenging due to the embedded carbon fibers. However, specialized recycling processes can reclaim both the nylon and carbon fiber for use in new composite materials or as fillers in other products.
Is Gen 3 CarbonX™ PA6+CF environmentally sustainable?
While the recycling process for carbon fiber composites is complex, efforts are ongoing to improve the sustainability of these materials. Using Gen 3 CarbonX™ PA6+CF can also lead to products that last longer and perform better, reducing waste and the frequency of replacements.