CarbonX™ PC+CF | 3DXTech
CarbonX™ PC+CF is made using Sabic Lexan® Polycarbonate and reinforced with premium high-modulus carbon fiber. This material offers excellent thermal properties, strength & stiffness, superior dimensional stability, and an amazing surface finish.
Technical informations
Thermal properties | |
| HDT-B | 135 °C |
| Glass transition (Tg) | 143 °C |
| Drying settings | 120 °C for 4 h |
Filament properties | |
| Country of origin | USA |
| Filament density | 1.36 g/mm3 |
| Diameter tolerance | 0.05 mm |
| Recommended adhesive | Magigoo Pro PC - Adhesive for Polycarbonate |
Spool weight and dimensions |
How to store filaments
Humidity and UV light can decrease the filament quality and weaken its mechanical properties. We strongly recommend storing open filaments in a dry and dark place. You can find a complete guide on how to properly store your filament here
Where to throw print fails and supports?
We kindly ask our customers to cope with plastic waste responsibly. Failed prints, support material, rafts, or brims should be liquidated according to the local guidelines. Paradoxically, in most cases, it is better to throw this waste in the regular trash can, as most of the material waste created in 3D printing is not identified, which causes more problems than benefits in the waste sorting facilities.
CarbonX™ PC+CF | 3DXTech
CarbonX™ PC+CF is made using Sabic Lexan® Polycarbonate and reinforced with premium high-modulus carbon fiber. This material offers excellent thermal properties, strength & stiffness, superior dimensional stability, and an amazing surface finish.
CarbonX™ PC+CF is a high-performance carbon fiber reinforced polycarbonate filament. This material is ideal for anyone that desires a structural component with high heat, high stiffness, excellent surface quality, and dimensional stability. Polycarbonate has a Tg of 147°C and offers some of the highest thermal performance on the 3D printing market.
Ideal layer height is 60% of nozzle diameter. We do not recommend printing layers smaller than 0.2mm with carbon fiber reinforced filaments.
- High thermal properties, Polycarb itself has a Tg of 147°C
- Amorphous structure gives it low, near isotropic shrinkage
- Further improved stiffness and dimensional stability with the addition of carbon fiber reinforcement
- Very low odor emitted while printing
- Wide processing range of 280-310°C
General information about PC :
Printability of PC filament
PC is a material reserved for advanced 3D printing users. It requires a lot of conditions to be met during printing. It usually requires a very high printing temperature but most PC filaments contain additives that enable the filament to be printed at lower temperatures. PC is prone to warping and has a high tendency to oozing during printing. PC is also highly hygroscopic, meaning that cracks and bubbles can appear during the printing process if the filament isn't dried well. To summarize:
- Use an enclosure, ideally heated chamber
- Be sure to have the filament dried before printing or dry it following the drying instructions of the manufacturer, keep the filament dry, and ideally have it in the PolyBox or something equivalent.
- Use a special adhesive like Magigoo PP or BuildTak
- Slightly increase your standard retraction distance and speed to prevent oozing
From our experience, the material seems to stick the best with slow thick extrusions on the first layer. We recommend using a first layer height of 100-150%, a first layer width of 12-150%, and a first layer speed of 15-30%. Additionally, setting the first layer to print 30°C hotter can greatly improve the first layer adhesion.
Virgin PC has a high glass transition temperature (Tg) and thus can be used in high-temperature applications. However, having a high Tg can make it very difficult to print using desktop printers, as these are usually not equipped to cater to the high printing temperatures required to print virgin PC. Virgin PC in fact tends to warp considerably when printed at an insufficient bed temperature (<130 ºC), in non-heated enclosed chambers without the use of an appropriate bed adhesive.
PC mechanical and thermal properties
PC is a high-strength material designed for use in harsh conditions and engineering applications. Its heat deflection and impact resistance are both extremely high. The typical glass transition temperature of polycarbonate is 150°C. This indicates that it can retain structural integrity up to that temperature, making it ideal for high-temperature applications. This material is very tough, meaning that it is bendable without breaking. The strength and toughness of PC make it an ideal FDM material for the production of functional prototypes as well as end-use part, nonetheless, the material does present some printing challenges
Tips and other notable benefits of PC
PC is a 3D printing material that is known for its impact resistance and transparency. The polycarbonate filament can withstand temperatures between -150°C and 140°C, allowing for a wider range of applications.
Browse all PC (polycarbonate) filaments in stock in our warehouse in Senec, Slovakia. For comparison, see also ABS and CF/GF.
3DXTech is an American manufacturer of engineering filaments, produced in Michigan, USA. It is the brand to look at when standard PLA or PETG is not enough: carbon-fibre reinforced and ESD-safe materials for functional parts, jigs, fixtures and electronics. JustCreate3D keeps selected 3DXTech filaments in stock in its warehouse in Senec, Slovakia, and dispatches them quickly.
3DXTech has been making filaments since 2014, and its formulations build on more than 25 years of experience in the polymer industry. Its portfolio is one of the broadest on the market: almost every conventional material in an enhanced version – ESD, carbon fibre, glass fibre, flame retardant or antibacterial – plus industrial polymers such as PPS, PVDF, PSU, PES, TPI and PEKK.
3DXTech filaments at JustCreate3D
- CarbonX™ – carbon-fibre reinforced filaments for stiff, dimensionally stable parts: CarbonX™ PLA+CF, CarbonX™ PETG+CF, CarbonX™ PC+CF, CarbonX™ EZPC+CF, CarbonX™ PP+CF.
- 3DXSTAT™ ESD – electrostatic-dissipative filaments for parts that hold or house electronics: 3DXSTAT™ ESD PLA, 3DXSTAT™ ESD PETG, 3DXSTAT™ ESD ABS, 3DXSTAT™ ESD PC.
Who is 3DXTech for?
Engineers, makers and companies printing functional parts rather than decorations. Carbon-fibre filaments are abrasive, so print them with a hardened steel nozzle instead of brass. PC and ABS-based grades print best in an enclosed printer, as they are prone to warping.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a special nozzle for CarbonX™ filaments?
Yes, we recommend it. Carbon fibres wear out brass nozzles quickly, so use a hardened steel nozzle. You can find nozzles in our spare parts category.
What does ESD mean?
ESD filaments are electrostatic dissipative: they safely conduct away static charge. This makes 3DXSTAT™ parts suitable for trays, housings and fixtures used around sensitive electronic components.
Can I get a 3DXTech material that is not listed?
The manufacturer’s industrial range is much wider than what we keep in stock. If you need a material that is not listed, write to support@justcreate3d.com and we will check whether it can be ordered.
See all 3DXTech filaments currently available, or compare them with other carbon and glass fibre filaments.