Material Guide: Carbon Fiber Nylon
The metal replacer. Industrial strength for gears, pulleys, and structural parts.
Material Guide: Carbon Fiber Nylon
When plastic isn’t enough, but aluminum is too heavy… you use PA12-CF (Carbon Fiber Nylon). It is Nylon plastic infused with chopped carbon fiber strands.
The Properties
- Stiffness: Incredibly rigid.
- Strength: Can replace aluminum plates in many cases.
- Surface Finish: The matte black fuzzy texture looks amazing (scores high on Aesthetics).
The Requirements
- Hardened Nozzle: Carbon fiber is abrasive. It will eat a brass nozzle in 1 hour. You need Hardened Steel.
- Dry Box: Nylon absorbs water from the air instantly. If you print wet nylon, it bubbles and is weak. You MUST print from a dry box.
Applications
- Gears: Self-lubricating and strong.
- Pulleys: Wear resistant.
- Drivetrain Plates: Yes, people print their chassis rails out of this.
Verdict
Expensive ($50-$80/roll). Hard to use. But if you master it, your robot is lighter, stronger, and looks cooler than everyone else’s.