Formfutura, makers of fine 3D printer filaments, has joined others in marketing a carbon fiber filament.
CarbonFil™ is unlike some other 3D printer filaments that are a mix of carbon fiber bits and PLA plastic. No, Formfutura’s version is a mix of carbon fiber and HDGlass, their specialized PET plastic filament, which is “amorphous , high strength and ultra-transparent”. The new filament is likely to have many of those characteristics, too.
In fact, Formfutura says CarbonFil™ actually has 10% more impact strength than HDGlass, yet is also “twice as stiff”.
Formfutura says CarbonFil™ will be very easy to print:
The most important characteristic of CarbonFil™ is maybe its printer friendliness and easy processing features. CarbonFil™ is warp-free, can be printed without a heated bed, has a great thermal stability, an excellent flowing behaviour and a superb first- and interlayer adhesion and does not produce any odors during 3D printing.
Bed adhesion is said to be easily accomplished with standard blue tape.
They also say it outperforms “any other carbon fiber filament” on the market.
Before you run out and buy some of this attractive filament, which by the way is available today, there is one thing to consider: nozzle wear.
Most desktop 3D printers employ a brass nozzle, which is significantly softer than carbon fiber material. Therefore, as carbon fiber material passes through your hot end, it will tend to gradually erode your nozzle. If you have a stainless steel nozzle, wear will be greatly reduced – but not eliminated. In other words, if using carbon fiber filament – from any vendor – consider your hot end to be a consumable item.
CarbonFil™ is now sold in half kilo spools for €37.50 (USD$41) in both 1.75mm and 2.85mm formats. It’s a bit more expensive than common filaments, but this is very special stuff.
Via http://www.formfutura.com/carbonfil/
