3D Printing

3DXTech Sticks Carbon Nanotubes Into Your 3D Printer’s Feedstock

In March, we covered a company that wants to stick its carbon nanotubes into your 3D printer’s feedstock.  It turns out that they’re not the only ones keen to show you their nanotubes. 3DXTech is a Michigan-based startup that has developed a whole range of filaments for FDM/FFF 3D printing, including one line that’s chock-full of carbon nanotubes for carbon reinforcement.

Pellets for making 3D printing filament

3DXTech has already released a few different standard and speciality filaments for 3D printing.  The first on their list is their iOn™ High-Performance ABS/PA Alloys, which combines ABS with Nylon for the best of both worlds.  The company promises that it prints like ABS, but with better thermal, mechanical, and chemical performance. iOn High Performance ABS/PA Alloys are said to have “higher thermal resistance, superior impact strength, and improved solvent resistance.

carbon nanotube reinforced 3D printing filament3DXNano is the company’s ESD carbon nanotube line.  The carbon nanotube reinforced ABS filament can be used to 3D print components with electrostatic discharge protection, such as parts that may be used for integrated circuits.  Due to the material’s ductility and consistency, as well as increased strength, 3DXNano can be used to 3D print objects for more performance-based applications, such as in the auto, industrial, and semiconductor markets.

And, to accompany all of its filaments, 3DXTech has released its 3DXMax HIPS support material.  This can be used for multi-headed 3D printers to create support structures dissolvable in d-Limonene, for easy clean up.  The HIPS filament is perfect for both the company’s speciality filaments, as well as its standard ABS and PLA filaments.

Finally, if you’ve had a taste of their nanotubes and are eager for more experimentation, you can sign up on their website or like them on Facebook to get access to the materials still in the R&D stages.  They’ve tested these materials to ensure that they print, but have yet to introduce them in full to their online store.  You could be that one, lucky customer to test out an FDM/FFF filament that will change the world of 3D printing forever before anyone else does.

Source: 3DXTech