3D Printing Filament FibreX PPA+GF15

FibreX PPA+GF15 is a glass fiber reinforced polyphthalamide (PPA) with exceptional thermal, mechanical and chemical resistance. PPAs are a special type of high temperature nylon (HTN) – semi-aromatic polyamides – whose molecular structure gives them significantly higher properties than aliphatic polyamides such as PA6, PA66, PA11 and PA12, which are typically used in 3D printing. PPAs have significantly higher glass transition temperatures (Tgs), melting temperatures (Tms) and heat deflection temperatures (HDT) than typical aliphatic nylons such as PA6 or PA12. The chemical structure of PPA reduces the amount of moisture it absorbs as well as the rate at which it is absorbed, resulting in a stiffer printed part when exposed to environmental or end-use conditions.

The advantages of PPA+GF15 PPA high temperature nylon include:

• High thermal properties, with Tg of 125°C, HDT of 260°C and Tm of 305°C
• Excellent strength and stiffness over a wide temperature range, up to 260°C, superior to ULTEM™ PEI
• Very low moisture absorption which ensures better maintenance of mechanical properties even when exposed to humid environments
• Exceptional chemical resistance to alcohols, acids, automotive and aviation fuels, oils, lubricants, brake and transmission fluids, antifreeze and Zn/Ca chlorides

Recommended print settings:

• Extruder: 325-345°C
• Bed temperature: 120-140°C
• Nozzle: We currently recommend a hardened steel nozzle with a minimum diameter of 0.4mm
• Other: The ideal layer height is 60% of the nozzle diameter. We do not recommend printing layers smaller than 0.2mm with carbon fiber reinforced filaments.
• Bed Prep: Magigoo Bed Prep and 3DXTECH Polyimide Tape
• Heated room: recommended
• Supports: AquaTek™ USM X1 Universal Water-Soluble Support Material is designed to work with complex model geometries
• Drying instructions: 120°C for 4 hours

Glass fiber reinforced filament

What is it? - Glass fibers reinforced into the polymer during production and aligned along the axis of the filament. This, combined with their physical composition, gives this material enormous strength and mechanical properties.

What does it do? - The glass fiber reinforcement gives the material many desirable properties: high strength, high stiffness, high chemical resistance, and low thermal expansion

How does it work? - Reinforcing plastic with glass fibers produces a 3D printing filament that features the best properties of both the glass fiber and the chosen plastic.

What is it good for? - Ideal for all applications that require strength and rigidity. For these reasons, glass fiber reinforced filament is very popular in the automotive, mechanical, civil engineering and research industries.

Abrasive material

This material is particularly abrasive among 3D printing filaments. Users may find that standard brass nozzles get chewed up very quickly compared to standard wear. Once worn, the nozzle diameter will expand inconsistently and the printer will have extrusion issues.

For this reason, it is highly recommended that you print this material through a hardened steel nozzle rather than a softer metal. Hardened steel nozzles can often be inexpensive and easy to install, depending on your printer manufacturer's instructions.