PA6-GF30 is a glass fiber reinforced Nylon 6 Copolymer (PA6) it is an industrial-grade material, this beast of material is exceptionally stiff and strong, all without being brittle. Polyamides (PA) are the workhorse of the plastics industry the world over thanks to their excellent mechanical, chemical, and thermal resistance. The addition of heavy glass fiber reinforcement takes it to another level. This material is a must-have when printing functional prototypes and production parts.
Benefits of PA6-GF30 Include:
- Printable on practically any 3D printer with a heated bed
- Ideal for structural engineering-grade applications
- Exceptionally stiff and strong, without being brittle
- Excellent chemical resistance makes it suitable for automotive and industrial applications
- Resists fuels, lubricants, heat, and mechanical loading
- High thermal properties keep it strong up to 170°C in use, depending on printing and mechanical loads applied
- The Glass fiber reinforcement improves dimensional stability, reduces shrinkage, lift, and warp
- Very strong layer bonding
Filament Specifications:
1.75mm +/- 0.05mm in diameter
Recommended Print Settings:
- Extruder: 245-280°C
- Bed Temp: 70-95°C
- Nozzle: We strongly recommend a 0.4mm orifice or larger using one of our Carbide nozzles
- Other: Ideal layer height is 60% of nozzle diameter. We do not recommend printing layers below 0.25mm with glass fiber grades. Lower than 0.25mm may create too much back pressure in the hot end and result in poor feeding, jams, drive gear clicking, and eating a notch into the filament.
- Bed Prep: Rough Borosilicate Glass with PVP gluestick, or high temp carbon fiber sheet plus PVP glue stick, we also recommend the Vision Miner Nano Polymer Adhesive.
- Heated Chamber: Not required, but a 30-80°C chamber does improve layer bonding and finished part mechanical properties
- Drying Instructions: 90°C for 4-6 hours See More
PA6-GF30: Key Features and Details
Category |
Details |
Material Composition |
Nylon 6 polymer reinforced with 30% glass fibers |
Dimensional Accuracy |
1.75mm ± 0.05mm |
Strength and Stiffness |
High stiffness and tensile strength without brittleness |
Thermal Resistance |
Operates up to 170°C depending on application |
Chemical Resistance |
Resists fuels, lubricants, and chemicals |
Applications |
Automotive, industrial machinery, structural engineering |
Recommended Print Settings
Setting |
Details |
Extruder Temperature |
245–280°C |
Bed Temperature |
70–95°C |
Nozzle Type |
0.4mm or larger, carbide or hardened steel nozzle recommended |
Layer Height |
60% of nozzle diameter (not below 0.25mm) |
Bed Preparation |
Rough borosilicate glass or high-temperature carbon fiber sheet with PVP glue or Vision Miner adhesive |
Drying Instructions |
90°C for 4–6 hours |
Heated Chamber |
Optional, 30–80°C to improve bonding and strength |
Advantages of PA6-GF30
Feature |
Benefits |
Strength and Durability |
Glass fiber reinforcement enhances load-bearing capacity and impact resistance |
Dimensional Stability |
Reduces shrinkage and warping during printing |
Layer Bonding |
Promotes strong interlayer adhesion for high-stress applications |
Thermal Performance |
Maintains mechanical properties at high temperatures |
Versatility in Applications |
Ideal for automotive, aerospace, and industrial parts manufacturing |
Challenges and Solutions
Challenge |
Solution |
Warping and Shrinkage |
Use a heated chamber (30–80°C) and proper bed adhesives |
Nozzle Wear |
Use hardened steel or carbide nozzles to withstand abrasive glass fibers |
Moisture Sensitivity |
Store filament in a dry environment and dry it before use |
Comparison with Other Filaments
Comparison |
PA6-GF30 |
Standard Nylon |
Carbon Fiber Filament |
Strength |
Higher due to glass fiber reinforcement |
Moderate |
High |
Dimensional Stability |
Excellent, minimal shrinkage |
Moderate shrinkage |
Good |
Heat Resistance |
Up to 170°C |
Lower |
Similar |
Applications |
Structural and industrial |
Flexible and consumer-grade |
Lightweight structural applications |
FAQs
Question |
Answer |
What makes PA6-GF30 unique? |
30% glass fiber reinforcement provides superior stiffness and dimensional stability. |
Is a heated chamber required? |
Not mandatory, but it enhances print quality and part strength. |
How to prevent nozzle wear? |
Use hardened steel or carbide nozzles to resist abrasion. |
Can consumers use PA6-GF30? |
It is primarily designed for industrial-grade applications due to its specialized requirements. |
Who benefits the most from it? |
Industries like automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing gain the most from its properties. Contact Jahangir Alam |
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