CarbonX™ PP+CF | 3DXTech
With a density of only 1.1 g/cm^3 and reinforced with high-modulus aligned chopped carbon fiber, this filament is an excellent choice for printing highly stressed parts in lightweight applications like drones. PP as a semi-flexible base material is extremely tough and hardly breakable. Reinforcing PP with carbon drastically increases its strength and stiffness while keeping its ability to absorb shock without breaking. Its thermal resistance of 124°C (HDT-B) is also notable, as well as its excellent resistance against a wide variety of chemicals. The printed parts have a beautiful matte effect. To put into perspective, the tensile modulus of standard PP (we compare with PP 2320 of Fillamentum) is around 1400Mpa, while the tensile modulus of CarbonX™ PP+CF is 6150MPa, which is more than four times stronger! We personally recommend giving this filament a chance, as we believe it is underrated by the 3D printing community.
Technical informations
Thermal properties | |
| HDT-B | 124 °C |
| Drying settings | 65 °C for 4 h |
Filament properties | |
| Country of origin | USA |
| Filament density | 1.1 g/mm3 |
| Diameter tolerance | 0.05 mm |
| Recommended adhesive | Magigoo Pro PP - Adhesive for Polypropylene (PP) |
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™ PP+CF | 3DXTech
With a density of only 1.1 g/cm^3 and reinforced with high-modulus aligned chopped carbon fiber, this filament is an excellent choice for printing highly stressed parts in lightweight applications like drones. PP as a semi-flexible base material is extremely tough and hardly breakable. Reinforcing PP with carbon drastically increases its strength and stiffness while keeping its ability to absorb shock without breaking. Its thermal resistance of 124°C (HDT-B) is also notable, as well as its excellent resistance against a wide variety of chemicals. The printed parts have a beautiful matte effect. To put into perspective, the tensile modulus of standard PP (we compare with PP 2320 of Fillamentum) is around 1400Mpa, while the tensile modulus of CarbonX™ PP+CF is 6150MPa, which is more than four times stronger! We personally recommend giving this filament a chance, as we believe it is underrated by the 3D printing community.
Don't forget to use a hardened steel nozzle when printing with CF reinforced materials. Even if the warping effect is reduced thanks to the carbon fibers, PP is known to warp. We recommend using a suitable adhesive, and to print on regular office/packing tape.
General information about CF/GF :
Thermoplastics are plastics that can change their state without a change in chemical properties. They're popular 3D printing materials since they're simple to melt, extrude layer by layer, and cool into a shape. However, the features that make them suitable for 3D printing make them poor candidates for engineering-strength applications: many of these thermoplastics have a low melting point and aren't particularly strong or stiff. This is where composite materials come to help.
Composite filaments are filaments made from regular material (like PLA, ABS, PETG, Nylon, etc..) manufactured and co-extruded with additional 5-10 micrometers wide fibers like carbon fibers (CF), glass fibers (GF), or sometimes even kevlar. Composite materials usually benefit from enhanced strength, stiffness, heat resistance, and durability. This strength advantage over more standard thermoplastics used in 3D printing, such as ABS or PLA, allows 3D printing applications to expand alongside these new materials and their attributes. The ratio of fiber to filaments usually ranges from 10% to 30%.
An often less visible property that greatly impacts the final strength of the filament is the fiber length and type of extrusion used during the filament production process. Some manufacturers use only milled fibers, extruded in a random way, others use extrusion methods where fibers are aligned following the axis of the material, which provides better mechanical properties to the filament.
Carbon fibers
Carbon Fiber is a stiff and sturdy fiber that behaves similarly to 6061 aluminum, making it ideal for lightweight components that can bear heavy loads.
Glass fibers
Fiberglass is a sturdy, versatile, and low-cost reinforcing material. It increases part strength beyond that of plastics and is an excellent starting point for printing with reinforcement.
Kevlar fibers
Kevlar has high toughness and shock resistance, making it ideal for high-impact shock-loading conditions. It bends instead of breaking.
Pros & cons of composite filaments
+ Increased strength and stiffness
+ Very good dimensional stability, less prone to warping
+ Lightweight
+ Increased heat resistance
+ Beautiful matt surface finish of printed parts
- Most composite filaments are abrasive and require at least a hardened steel nozzle for printing
- Increased oozing when printing & higher tendency to clog
Browse all carbon and glass fibre filaments (CF/GF) in stock in our warehouse in Senec, Slovakia. For comparison, see also Nylon and PETG.
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.