Lightweight. Rigid. Accessible. If you’re printing real-world functional components, Carbon Fiber Nylon 6 (CFPA6) should be on your radar.
What Is CFPA6 and Why Does It Matter?
CFPA6 stands for Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polyamide 6—a high-performance nylon composite infused with chopped carbon fiber. This combination results in a filament that is dimensionally stable, resistant to heat and chemicals, and easy to print on the right hardware. It’s used in industries like automotive, aerospace, robotics, and manufacturing for everything from brackets to cooling ducts.
3D Printing Unlocks CFPA6’s Full Potential
Unlike traditional injection molding, 3D printing lets you produce complex, low-volume parts on demand—without tooling. CFPA6 prints with excellent surface quality, stiffness, and reduced warping thanks to the embedded carbon fibers. The result? Strong, end-use-ready parts with tight tolerances and high thermal resistance.
Real-World Benchmark: McLaren F1
McLaren’s Formula 1 team used FDM-printed nylon CF to replace traditional composite manufacturing methods. The results were dramatic:
- Parts produced in 5 days instead of 4 weeks
- Over 25% in cost savings
- 86% cheaper for tooling components
From aerodynamic ducts to rugged pit tools, they proved CFPA6 can compete with high-end composites at a fraction of the cost and lead time.
Example Applications
Here are just a few parts printed with CFPA6 on the Vision Miner 22 IDEX:
- Massive cooling ducts for race cars
- Generative camera mounts
- Custom brackets for electronics and robotics
- Ergonomic shrouds for impact resistance
Recommended Printing Settings for CFPA6
- Nozzle Temp: 275°C
- Bed Temp: 80°C
- Chamber Temp: Recommended for large parts
- Drying: 80°C for at least 4 hours (nylon absorbs moisture rapidly)
- Hardware: Use a hardened steel nozzle and carbon fiber build plate
- Adhesive: Vision Miner Nano Polymer Adhesive
CFPA6 Material Properties
- Tensile Strength: 63 MPa
- Flexural Strength: 84 MPa
- Tensile Modulus: 3,800 MPa
- Flexural Modulus: 3,750 MPa
- Elongation at Break: 3%
- Heat Deflection Temp: 147°C @ 0.45 MPa
- Glass Transition Temp: 70°C
- Surface Resistivity: >10⁹ Ω/sq (ESD safe)
- Density: 1.17 g/cm³
CFPA6 vs. Alternatives
| Property | CFPA6 | ULTEM 9085 | PETG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat Resistance | High (147°C) | Very High | Moderate |
| Print Difficulty | Moderate | Very High | Low |
| Cost | $$ | $$$$ | $ |
| Rigidity | High | Very High | Low |
Thermal and Torsion Testing Results
CFPA6 performed impressively in real-world stress tests:
- Thermal Test: Self-extinguished under propane and MAP gas, though it drips under prolonged heat (a known nylon characteristic).
- Torsion Test: Printed parts on the 22 IDEX sheared cleanly—no Z-axis layer splitting—indicating excellent interlayer adhesion.
- Annealing: Boosted tensile strength by over 45%, from ~1468 MPa to 2145 MPa.
Why the Printer Matters
Performance varied drastically depending on the printer. Parts printed on the Vision Miner 22 IDEX outperformed home-printed versions thanks to chamber temp control, quality hotends, and precise thermal management. Simply put: if you’re serious about CFPA6, your printer matters.
Where to Buy CFPA6 and the 22 IDEX
Ready to start printing with industrial-grade materials? Visit visionminer.com to purchase CFPA6 filament, explore the full 3DXTech lineup, or upgrade to the 22 IDEX for professional-grade results.
Whether you’re building tooling, robotics, or motorsport components—CFPA6 is the filament that delivers performance without compromise.