The United States has developed a new carbon fiber filled nylon composite

Stratasys, based in Minnesota, USA, has developed a carbon fiber- filled thermoplastic resin-based composite called FDMNylon12CF that can replace a variety of existing materials.

FDMNylon12CF is ideal for manufacturing rapid prototyping, high-strength lightweight tools and end-use components. This product is the first high-performance composite developed by Stratasys for its FDM technology that can replace a variety of metal applications.

The excellent mechanical properties of FDMNylon12CF allow engineers to replace original metal parts with thermoplastic composite 3D printed parts.

With 35% by weight of chopped carbon fiber, FDMNylon 12CF has the highest specific stiffness in the company's FDM series of thermoplastics, meeting the requirements for material performance testing in the automotive, aerospace, leisure and industrial industries.

Ashley Guy, general manager and CEO of Utah Trikes, said: "The specific strength and specific stiffness of FDMNylon12CF are very good. Therefore, the use of this new material has completely changed the pace of our work. Now, the time to make prototypes using FDM3D printer is only It takes two weeks, but it takes more than two months. Now, I don't have to worry about the manufacturing limitations of the prototype. I can focus on how to design better functional parts without aluminum. There is concern about how the alloy is shaped or how the carbon fiber is laid out in the mold. Stratasys' FDMNylon12CF material has a faster 3D printing speed, but the product's specific stiffness and reproducibility are better than other companies' 3D printing technology."

The FDMNylon12CF product will be available in the second quarter of 2017. Currently, it is compatible with the StratasysFortus450mc 3D printer. The superior specific strength of the product can bring changes to many industries, from consumer goods and leisure products to automobiles and aerospace.