3DXTech Offers New Carbon Fiber-Reinforced PLA and ABS Filaments, 3DXMax CFR

Traditional 3D printing materials such as PLA and ABS are incredibly useful, but they do have limited technical capabilities as a result of the structures of the polymers themselves.

But a Michigan firm, 3DXTech, is working to develop innovative solutions to some of those technical challenges when it comes to PLA and ABS materials.

They say their latest solution, 3DXMax CFR, offers a significant improvement over current carbon fiber reinforced filaments on the market. The company says 3DXMax CFR-PLA grade offers “improved mechanical properties over competitive materials in the same space,” and they add that the PLA- and ABS-based materials are available now in limited quantities.

The company says both materials will be available in production quantities in January 2015.

“We’re currently testing our carbon fiber reinforced nylon (and) this new nylon is a carbon fiber reinforced, semi-aromatic polyamide – often referred to as a high performance polyamide (HPPA),” says Mark Haskins, Materials Manager at 3DXTech.com. “We also understand that the products we develop must not only provide additional performance, but must be suitable for use in a wide array of commercially available 3D printers. Striking this balance between improved functionality and ease of printing is a key part of every new product we launch.”

The company says 3DXMax CFR-PLA offers a 128% improvement over unfilled PLA – and a 31% improvement over competing CF-PLA products.

They say the 3DXMax CFR-ABS product is improved 86% when compared to unfilled ABS materials, and each of the graded materials has been custom formulated to offer “an ideal combination of improved mechanical properties, dimensional stability and print-ability.”

The say both the carbon fiber ABS and PLA filaments are ideal for printing from devices with a heated-platform which features an extruder capable of 220-235°C and a bed temp in the 100-110°C range. They add that the bed should be prepped with Kapton Tape or an ABS and acetone slurry.

Haskins says all the company’s new products are put through test runs in their 3D printers at their lab to complete a “rigid internal qualification process.” He adds that all products in their line are test marketed before being put into production and offered to the general market.

3DXTech also offers a filament made specifically electronics and semiconductor applications.

If you need more information about these latest 3DXTech.com products, you can contact them here to take part in the evaluation process or receive samples.

3DXTech creates new filaments, and their carbon fiber reinforced ABS and PLA materials have tested out to be stronger than competing products. What do you think about the 3DXMax line of filaments? Let us know if you’ve used these filaments, or plan to use them, over at the 3DXTech Carbon Fiber Reinforced PLA and ABS Filaments thread at 3DPB.com.