Continuous fiber (CFC)
Continuous carbon fiber (CFC) 3D printing
We lay a continuous carbon fiber inside the part as we print it. You choose the base material for the environment the part works in (temperature, chemicals, UV light); the fiber goes where the load runs.
What it is for
The fiber is continuous carbon fiber, laid along the load paths chosen when the part is sliced. The fiber filament is about 60% fiber by volume: that is the system maker's figure for the filament, not for the printed part.
The system's maker states up to 900 MPa of tensile strength along the fiber, without publishing a specimen, a matrix or a test standard. The strength, stiffness and heat deflection temperature of a part depend on how much fiber it holds and how it is oriented: we assess them on request, part by part.
The fiber can be embedded in many of the filaments in our catalog: ask us about yours. The fiber needs runs longer than about 55 mm.
Base materials
The fiber is laid inside a filament from our catalog. The table gives the values of each base material, without fiber, from its data sheet: the values of the reinforced part depend on the part.
| Property | PLAbase material, without fiberQuote |
|---|---|
| Composite with continuous fiber | on request: it depends on how much fiber there is and how it is oriented |
| Mechanical | |
| Tensile strengthISO 527, XY | 39.93 MPa25.39 MPa Z |
| Tensile modulusISO 527, XY | 2,531.08 MPa2,265.58 MPa Z |
| Elongation at breakISO 527, XY | 16.57%3.05% Z |
| Flexural strengthISO 178, XY | 62.12 MPa49.96 MPa Z |
| Flexural modulusISO 178, XY | 2,438.41 MPa2,368.62 MPa Z |
| Charpy impact, notchedISO 179, XY | 20.76 kJ/m² |
| Charpy impact, unnotchedISO 179, XY | 51.7 kJ/m²21.7 kJ/m² Z |
| Thermal | |
| Heat deflection temperature (HDT) at 0.45 MPaISO 75 | 58.1 °C |
| Heat deflection temperature (HDT) at 1.8 MPaISO 75 | 55.6 °C |
| Glass transition (Tg)DSC, 10 °C/min | 58.3 °C |
| Melting point (Tm)DSC, 10 °C/min | 158.9 °C |
| Vicat softening temperatureISO 306 | 63.5 °C |
| Physical | |
| DensityISO 1183 | 1.237 g/cm³ |
| Water absorptionequilibrium at 23 °C and 70% RH | 0.449%standard not stated on the sheet |
| Source |
|
| Property | PLAbase material, without fiberQuote | ASAbase material, without fiberQuote | Nylon (PA)base material, without fiberQuote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite with continuous fiber | on request: it depends on how much fiber there is and how it is oriented | ||
| Mechanical | |||
| Tensile strengthISO 527 | 39.93 MPaXY25.39 MPa Z | on request | 45 MPaat yield, orientation not stated |
| Tensile modulusISO 527 | 2,531.08 MPaXY2,265.58 MPa Z | on request | 1,400 MPaorientation not stated |
| Elongation at breakISO 527 | 16.57%XY3.05% Z | on request | >50% |
| Flexural strengthISO 178, XY | 62.12 MPa49.96 MPa Z | on request | on request |
| Flexural modulusISO 178, XY | 2,438.41 MPa2,368.62 MPa Z | on request | on request |
| Charpy impact, notchedISO 179 | 20.76 kJ/m²XY | on request | 12 kJ/m²at 23 °C |
| Charpy impact, unnotchedISO 179, XY | 51.7 kJ/m²21.7 kJ/m² Z | on request | on request |
| Thermal | |||
| Heat deflection temperature (HDT) at 0.45 MPaISO 75 | 58.1 °C | on request | 135 °C |
| Heat deflection temperature (HDT) at 1.8 MPaISO 75 | 55.6 °C | on request | 55 °C |
| Glass transition (Tg)DSC, 10 °C/min | 58.3 °C | on request | on request |
| Melting point (Tm) | 158.9 °CDSC, 10 °C/min | on request | 178 °CISO 11357-3 |
| Vicat softening temperatureISO 306 | 63.5 °C | on request | 145 °C |
| Physical | |||
| DensityISO 1183 | 1.237 g/cm³ | on request | 1.01 g/cm³ |
| Water absorptionequilibrium at 23 °C and 70% RH | 0.449%standard not stated on the sheet | on request | on request |
| Source |
| on request |
|
Typical values from the makers' data sheets, measured on specimens under the conditions stated. They are not guaranteed design values: for a critical application ask us for a test on your part.
The fiber and the system
| Property | Continuous carbon fiber |
|---|---|
| Process | |
| Fiber volume fractionof the fiber filament, not of the printed part | approx. 60%standard not stated on the sheet |
| Build volume | 300 × 300 × 245 mmstandard not stated on the sheet |
| Accuracy stated by the machine maker | ±0.2 mmstandard not stated on the sheet |
| Maximum nozzle temperaturefiber nozzle and polymer nozzle | 350 °Cstandard not stated on the sheet |
| Maximum chamber temperature | 65 °Cstandard not stated on the sheet |
| Other (the sheet's wording)fiber filament | impregnated with thermoset resinstandard not stated on the sheet |
| Source |
|
Typical values from the makers' data sheets, measured on specimens under the conditions stated. They are not guaranteed design values: for a critical application ask us for a test on your part.
Design limits
- Build volume
- 300 × 300 × 245 mm
- Minimum feature
- 0.8 mm
- Dimensional tolerance
- ±0.2 mm
These are the limits of the process, the same for every variant unless stated. For critical dimensions, talk to us before printing.
Which variant to choose
The fiber is the same in every part; what changes is the base material, chosen for the environment the part works in.
- PLA: for tools, jigs and stiff parts that work indoors at room temperature.
- ASA: for parts exposed to sun and weather.
- Nylon: for mechanical parts that take impacts, wear or contact with oils.
If the load has no clear direction, a short-fiber filament such as PA6-CF or PPA-CF is often enough. For another base material, ask us about yours.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do you have a part to print in Continuous carbon fiber (CFC)?
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