Nylon Carbon Fibre (PACF) filament is an odorless blended filament that provides the benefits of heat resistance, tensile strength, and flexibility all in one.

Strength

The nylon carbon filament has double reinforced strength. Nylon has excellent layer adhesion, fusing each layer together well. Together with carbon fibre particles, this bonding allows for enhancing the linking of polymers. The strength is mainly in flexural properties. The printed filament can be pulled with great force before the bonds give way. Furthermore, the bending properties are also enhanced with the carbon fibre. This allows the print to be bent further without snapping. Due to its “memory”, it will contract it almost the same printed position after bending (with a higher yield compared to most common filaments). The printed filament allows for greater flexibility for deformation whilst holding layers firmly. For example, a screw can drive into an appropriately sized pilot hole of a printed object without causing the layers to split.

Heat resistance

Once printed the filament can withstand higher temperatures compared to PLA, PETG, and ABS without deforming. They are well suited for the interior of vehicles that can (under the harsh Australian sun) reach very high temperatures.

Appearance

The printed object has a brilliant matte finish and is printed at 0.2mm resolution masks layers extremely well. Perfecting the right settings for your printer is imperative to minimize stringing and warping. Read the section below for printing tips.

Impact strength

This filament has remarkably high impact strength, allowing it to retain its form without splitting or breaking. The relative softness of the nylon absorbs impacts far greater than rigid filaments like PLA, PETG or even ABS.

Abrasive

This filament due to the carbon fibre is quite abrasive and a stainless-steel nozzle is recommended. This in turn creates some refinement of temperature and retraction settings for those more familiar with brass nozzles. Furthermore, printing temperatures of more than 250 may be required and therefore call the need for an All-metal hot-end.

Hygroscopic

Carbon Fibre Nylon filament is very hygroscopic (more than PLA) and it is critical that it is kept in the resealable bag provided to ensure it continues to print well. The filament when produced was packed and sealed immediately to remain unexposed to moisture from the air. When the filament absorbs too much moisture from the surrounding air, the print quality will reduce, and the predictability of results diminish.

Carbon Fibre Nylon can be carefully dehydrated at 65 degrees Celsius for 4-5 hours. Ovens are often poorly calibrated so please remember to do a test sample of 5 meters first and where possible use an external oven thermometer (these are available at kitchenware shops). 

Some helpful printing tips;

-          Always print in a well-ventilated room.

-          Part cooling is not necessary.

-          Print using an enclosure

-          First layer adhesion is key to stop the part lifting and failing. Minimize this by adjusting some of the following;

• Lower your z height
• increasing the first layer height and/or width
• use glue on the bed

-          Stringing can be a challenge so you should adjust your retraction settings (print retraction spikes) and consider “Avoid crossing outline for travel movements” in Slicers like Simply 3D.