1. Product Introduction

  • Extreme Heat Resistance: Withstands up to 190°C.
  • High Strength & Stiffness: Carbon fiber boosts tensile strength and rigidity.
  • Chemical & Wear Resistant: Withstands oils, solvents, and harsh chemicals.
  • Stable & Precise: Low shrinkage and warping for accurate prints.
  • Lightweight & Durable: 40% lighter than aluminum with strong performance.

2. Applications

  • Automotive & Aerospace: High-temperature and load-bearing parts.
  • Industrial Tooling: Jigs, fixtures, and durable machine components.
  • Functional Prototypes: High-strength prototypes for engineering validation.
  • Robotics & Drones: Lightweight yet strong frames and mechanical parts.
  • Manufacturing & Engineering: Precision components with superior durability.

3. Property Data

Mechanical Properties Unannealed Annealed Method
Tensile Stress at Break (MPa) 96 99 ISO 527
Young’s Modulus (MPa) 7880 8790 ASTM D638
Elongation at Break(%) 2 1.6 ASTM D638
Charpy impact strength (KJ/m^2) 11 6.3 ISO 179
Bending Strength (MPa) 146 146 ISO 178
Bending Modulus (MPa) 6870 7420 ISO 178

Other Properties Unannealed Annealed Method
Vicat softening temperature (℃) 232 232 ISO 306
Glass Transition Temperature (℃) 80 80 ASTM D3418
Melting Point (℃) 234 234 ASTM D3418
HDT (℃) 82.5℃ 120℃ Method A @ 1.80 MPa
HDT (℃) 84.5℃ 194℃ Method B 0.45 MPa
Biocompatibility Not Tested Not Tested -
Filament Density g/cm³ 1.2 12 ISO 1183

4. Preparing for Printing

Drying: PPA absorbs moisture, affecting print quality. Dry at 100°C for 4-6 hours if needed. Only dry if filament shows signs of moisture. 
Nozzle: Use a hardened steel nozzle for carbon fiber abrasion.
Heating Block: Ensure the heating block is at least 12mm thick for optimal temperature stability.
Print Bed Surface Coating: Use a PEI sheet or apply a PVP glue coating on the print bed surface for better adhesion and to reduce warping.

*Note*:

  • Only dry if filament shows signs of moisture.
  • Drying is not required for the first unpacking unless the vacuum packing becomes damp.

    5. Print Setting for PPA-CF

    Nozzle Temperature 300-320°C
    Recommended Nozzle Diameter 0.4-1.0mm (hardened steel nozzle preferred)
    Recommended Build Surface PEI or PVP glue coating
    Build Plate Temperature 90-110°C
    Cooling Fan Speed On but at Low Speed
    Print Speed 30-110 mm/s
    Max Extrusion Volumetric Speed 8-12 mm³/s at 300-320°C
    Retraction Distance 1-3mm
    Retraction Speed 1800-3600 mm/min

    6. Moisture Management

    • Dry Environment: Keep filament in a dry box with <15% humidity.
    • Resealing: Seal packaging immediately after use to prevent moisture.
    • Drying: If moisture is absorbed, dry at 100°C for 4-6 hours to avoid issues like oozing, bubbles, and rough surface finish.

    7. Troubleshooting Common Issues

    (1) Moisture Absorption:
    Signs: Stringing, bubbling, uneven surface. 
    Solution: Keep filament in a dry box (<15% humidity). If damp, dry at 100°C for 4-6 hours.

    (2) Stringing and Oozing:
    Signs: Fine strings of filament between parts of the print.
    Solution: Adjust retraction settings to 1-3mm at 1800-3600 mm/min. Ensure the filament is dry and the nozzle temperature is not too high.

    (3) Surface Roughness:
    Signs: Rough or uneven surface finish.
    Solution: Ensure filament is dry before printing. Adjust print speed and ensure consistent extrusion. Use a higher layer height if needed.

    (4) Warping:
    Solution: Warping can occur due to the material cooling too quickly. To prevent this, maintain a consistent temperature environment around the printer, possibly using an enclosure to keep out drafts. Adjust the cooling fan settings to lower speeds or turn it off for the initial layers.

    8. Enhanced Heat Performance Through Annealing

    Experience even higher thermal resistance with our PET-CF filament through a simple annealing process. Post-print annealing at 90°C for 4 hours can significantly improve the heat deflection temperature (HDT) and increase material hardness. This thermal treatment optimizes the crystalline structure of PET, resulting in enhanced thermal stability and mechanical properties ideal for high-temperature applications.