Glass Fiber Reinforced Nylon (GF Nylon) Filament for 3D Printing
Overview
Glass Fiber Reinforced Nylon (GF Nylon) is a high-performance composite filament that combines the excellent mechanical properties of nylon with the added strength and rigidity of glass fiber. This material is designed for demanding applications that require superior strength, durability, and dimensional stability. GF Nylon is particularly valued in engineering, automotive, and industrial applications for its high-performance capabilities.
Advantages
- High Strength and Rigidity: The addition of glass fiber significantly enhances the tensile strength and stiffness of nylon, making it suitable for high-stress applications.
- Dimensional Stability: Offers excellent dimensional stability and reduces warping, ensuring accurate and reliable prints.
- Heat Resistance: Can withstand higher temperatures compared to standard nylon, making it suitable for applications that operate in hot environments.
- Low Warpage: The glass fibers help to reduce warping and improve dimensional stability during the printing process.
- Chemical Resistance: Retains the chemical resistance properties of nylon, making it suitable for parts exposed to various chemicals.
Disadvantages
- Abrasion: The glass fibers are abrasive to standard nozzles, requiring the use of hardened steel or similar wear-resistant nozzles.
- Moisture Sensitivity: GF Nylon is hygroscopic and must be stored in a dry environment to prevent moisture absorption, which can affect print quality.
- Printing Temperature: Requires higher printing temperatures, which may not be compatible with all 3D printers.
Technical Specifications
- Density: 1.4 g/cm³ (87 lb/ft³)
- Dielectric Constant (Relative Permittivity): 3.7
- Dielectric Strength (Breakdown Potential): 20 kV/mm (0.79 V/mil)
- Elastic (Young’s, Tensile) Modulus: 8.0 GPa (1.16 x 10⁶ psi)
- Elongation at Break: 5%
- Flexural Modulus: 7.0 GPa (1.02 x 10⁶ psi)
- Flexural Strength: 180 MPa (26.1 x 10³ psi)
- Glass Transition Temperature: 70°C (158°F)
- Melting Onset (Solidus): 255°C (491°F)
- Shear Strength: 80 MPa (11.6 x 10³ psi)
- Specific Heat Capacity: 1700 J/kg-K
- Strength-to-Weight Ratio: 75 kN-m/kg
- Tensile Strength: Ultimate (UTS): 150 MPa (21.8 x 10³ psi)
- Thermal Conductivity: 0.30 W/m-K
- Thermal Diffusivity: 0.20
- Thermal Expansion: 45 µm/m-K
- Water Absorption After 24 Hours: 0.4%
Material Properties for 3D Printing
- Printing Temperature: 260-280°C
- Flow Tweak: 0.95
- Bed Temperature: 80-100°C
- Bed Preparation: Use a PVA-based glue stick or a Garolite build surface for optimal adhesion
Features
- High Modulus and Strength: Ideal for parts that require superior mechanical properties and rigidity.
- Heat Resistant: Suitable for applications exposed to high temperatures.
- Dimensional Stability: Reduced warping and excellent dimensional accuracy during printing.
- Chemical Resistant: Enhances the durability of parts exposed to chemicals and solvents.
Additional Considerations
- Nozzle Wear: Use hardened steel nozzles or similar wear-resistant materials due to the abrasive nature of glass fibers.
- Storage: Store GF Nylon filament in a sealed container with desiccant to prevent moisture absorption.
- Print Quality: Ensure proper bed adhesion and controlled printing environment for high-quality prints.
Application Examples
- Automotive Parts: Suitable for creating durable and heat-resistant automotive components.
- Aerospace Components: Ideal for lightweight and strong parts for aerospace applications.
- Engineering Prototypes: Perfect for prototyping mechanical parts that require high strength and rigidity.
- Industrial Equipment: Used for printing parts that need to endure harsh industrial environments.
By understanding these properties and considerations, you can effectively use Glass Fiber Reinforced Nylon (GF Nylon) in your 3D printing projects to achieve high-quality, durable, and high-performance results.
GF Nylon remains a top choice for many 3D printing applications due to its exceptional strength, rigidity, and heat resistance, making it ideal for both industrial and consumer applications.