On the virtue of its high strength-to-weight ratio, Carbon fiber finds huge application in creating lightweight but strong parts.
Carbon fiber-nylon composite materials have a very high strength-to-weight ratio and are suitable for 3D printing lightweight but strong parts. Besides being durable, these materials have high resistant properties that make them suitable for applications needing a wide range of operating temperatures.
In addition, these materials are abrasive, and maintaining consistent print quality is very difficult. Consequently, one cannot print CF-Nylon parts in normal 3D printers. The printing process for these composite materials demands variable temperatures to be set for different features of a particular component to be 3D printed. Besides, the infills and flow rates need variations as per the contour and geometry of the part being printed which is possible with our patented 3D printing technology, AFPM – Advanced Fusion Plastic Modeling.
MATERIAL PROPERTIES
| Property | Value | unit | Test method | |||
| Physical | ||||||
| Density | 1.4 | g/cc | ISO 1183 | |||
| Humidity absorption (23ºC,50%RH) | <2.0 | % | ||||
| Mechanical | ||||||
| Tensile Strength | 107 | MPa | ISO 527 | |||
| Tensile Elongation, Break | 2.0 | % | ISO 527 | |||
| Charpy Impact strength, unnotched | 37 | kJ/m2 | ISO 179 | |||
| Thermal | ||||||
| Continuous Service Temperature | 120 | °C | UL 746B | |||
Its benefits are huge when compared to standard 3D printing thermoplastics. It is heat resistant, has one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios, has high stiffness, and showcases better dimensional stability.
The most significant benefit of using CF-Nylon composite, “3D printed parts have non-linear shrinkage issues that are unpredictable many times. CF composite holds parts together and helps reduce the shrinkage to a greater extent. Hence these materials find huge applications in-
- Aerospace – Fixture, UAV components, prototyping, tooling
- Transportation and auto – bumpers, fixtures, and brackets
- Consumer – Prototyping, end-use applications
- Manufacturing – End-use parts, Prototyping tooling, fixtures, and other manufacturing aids
Advantages –
- It has high impact resistance property made which is durable for a wider variety of applications ( situations whew parts are banging or being dropped)
- It has high abrasion resistance which will not easily wear
- Sturdy lightweight parts can be printed which can act as an alternative to metal
- It has higher chemical and temperature resistance properties
- Cf Nylon has lower thermal conductivity due to which parts are less likely to have shrinkage
Disadvantages
- Nylon CF is hygroscopic. It absorbs the moisture and affects the print quality
- It needs to be dried before using
The major use-cases of CF-Nylon composites in COVID times
These materials are majorly used for high-precision and high-strength applications and have a very low cooling time with minimum to negligible shrinkage issues. As a result, on-demand manufacturing of critical components using DBZ’s high-speed 3D printing technologies can help industries with minimum lead-time and amazing strength at a much lower cost compared to market terms.
About Divide By Zero Technologies
Divide By Zero is one of India’s premier and largest homegrown 3D printer manufacturers and the first local brand to export 3D printers globally. Recently, they exported India’s first high-speed 3D printers to Houston, Texas. They are also the first national manufacturer to hold two 3D printing technology patents from India and the United States. More than 800+ brands and institutes across industries including TATA, Mercedes-Benz, Samsung, DRDO, Godrej, HUL, Eicher, and 1000+ startups across multiple countries are associated with DBZ for all their 3D printing requirements.
With multiple patents, Divide By Zero Technologies is a manufacturer of high-speed and cost-effective 3D printers. The company also plays a major role in the education sector and has over the years helped 500+ start-ups incubate through various universities across the length and breadth of the country.
Which 3D Printer can print –
Nylon CF is printable in Aeon400 V3 and Aion series. Extruder temperature of Aeqon and Aion series can go up to 400 degrees C and these machines have active fila dry systems which remove the moisture ensures smooth and accurate printing of nylon CF.
This content was originally published on the Divide By Zero website.