MakerBot announced the introduction of Nylon 12 Carbon Fiber, expanding its material offering. The MakerBot® Nylon 12 Carbon Fiber material can be printed on the MakerBot METHOD™ and MakerBot METHOD X™ 3D printers using the MakerBot Composite Extruder as well as on the METHOD Carbon Fiber Edition 3D printers. The Composite Extruder features hardened metal drive gears, a metal filament switch, and an interchangeable hardened steel nozzle, which is designed to allow METHOD printers to print high-performance materials.
A resilient carbon fiber-reinforced nylon optimized for high strengths and stiffness
MakerBot’s Nylon 12 Carbon Fiber features strong physical and thermal properties, and can be used to print metal replacement parts in some applications. It utilizes a nylon 12 base polymer and can absorb less moisture than nylon 6/66. Thus, it retains more of its performance in the presence of moisture. Nylon 12 carbon fiber is designed to provide a smooth carbon fiber 3D printing experience and achieve consistent performance in any environment. For applications that require parts to hold their form with minimal flex, such as automotive brackets or inspection gauges, nylon carbon fiber offers a tensile modulus of 6000 MPa, underscoring its high stiffness.
Suitable for functional prototyping and lightweight tooling applications in aerospace, manufacturing, and automotive industries
Nadav Goshen, CEO, MakerBot commented: “Composite materials are ideal for a range of engineering applications. The MakerBot® Nylon 12 Carbon Fiber, in particular, offers manufacturers a cost-effective and lightweight alternative to metal 3D printing due to its high dimensional stability and excellent resistance to cracking under stress. By expanding the material options available for use with the METHOD 3D printers, we are providing more opportunities for users to explore new applications.”
