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

1. Hardened Nozzle: Carbon fiber is abrasive. It will eat a brass nozzle in 1 hour. You need Hardened Steel.
2. 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.