FibreX™ PEEK+GF20

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FibreX™ PEEK+GF20 Glass Fiber Reinforced PEEK 3D Printer Filament

FibreX™ PEEK+GF20 (PolyEtherEtherKetone) is one of the highest-performance polymers in world. In fact, it’s one of the highest-performance plastics ever invented. Now reinforced 20% with glass fibers, PEEK+GF20 has exceptional mechanical, thermal, and chemical resistance properties along with its low warp, increased stiffness, and improved dimensional stability. PEEK+G20 is a go-to material in some of the most demanding applications where failure is not an option.

Benefits of PEEK+GF20 Include:

• Inherently flame resistant and self-extinguishing
• Long-term hydrolytic stability even above 250°C
• Outstanding resistance to a broad range of chemicals, including automotive fluids, fully halogenated hydrocarbons, alcohols, and aqueous solutions
• Low smoke and toxic gas emissions
• Excellent dimensional stability with low heat creep, low and uniform coefficient of thermal expansion, giving PEEK highly reproducible part-to-part dimensions
• High thermal properties with a Tg of 143°C, CUT of 260°C, and Tm of 343

Typical PEEK+GF20 Applications Include:

• Seals, Gears, Bushings, Bearings, Pump and Compressor Components
• Industries Served: Auto, Aerospace, Defense, Semi-conductor, Oil & Gas

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PEEK has an excellent resistance to hydrolysis in boiling water and superheated steam (sterilization/autoclave) at temperatures in excess of 250°C (482°F).

General thermal properties of PEEK+GF20 are:

• Glass Transition Temperature (Tg) 143°C
• Melt Temperature (Tm) 343°C
• Continuous Use Temperature (CUT) 260°C

Fibers made of glass reinforced into the polymer during manufacturing and aligned along the axis of filament.

This, along with their physical makeup, give this material enormous strength and mechanical properties.

Glass fiber reinforcement gives material a lot of desirable properties:

• High strength
• High stiffness
• High chemical resistance
• Low thermal expansion

Reinforcing plastic with glass fibers produces a 3D printing filament which exhibits the best properties of both fiberglass and the plastic of choice.

What Is It Good For?

Ideal for any applications which require strength and rigidity.

For these reasons, glass fiber reinforced filament is very popular in automotive, mechanical, civil engineering, and research industries.

This material is particularly abrasive among 3D printing filaments. Users may find standard brass nozzles are chewed through very quickly compared to standard wear and tear. When worn through, the nozzle diameter will widen inconsistently and the printer will experience extrusion issues. it's strongly recommended this material be printed through a hardened steel nozzle rather than a softer metal. Hardened Steel Nozzles

Printing with CarbonX™ PEEK+CF10

PEEK has a melt temperature (Tm) of 343°C, therefore, you will need an all-metal extruder capable of reaching (and holding) temps upwards of 400°C or more depending on your specific printer.  Every printer / slicer is different and you will need to tinker a bit to find a process that works for you.  One of the more difficult aspects of printing with PEEK was getting it to stick to the build plate.  We developed Nano Polymer Adhesive specifically for PEEK, in the beginning!

Here are our recommendations - which should act as a good starting point for you and your particular set-up.  

• Extruder Temps:  375 - 450°C
• Bed Temps:  130 - 160°C
• Heated Chamber: 90-145ºC
• Bed Prep: Nano Polymer Adhesive
• Nozzle: We strongly recommend a 0.4mm orifice or larger. We strongly recommend our Hardened Steel Nozzles
• Drying: 120ºC for 4+ hours
• Layer Height:  Ideal layer height is 60% of nozzle diameter.  We do not recommend printing layers below 0.25mm with carbon 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.
• Please note - PEEK has a tendency to stick to metal (PEEK loves metal).  Please make sure to purge out your extruder before it cools down or you run the risk permanent clogs.  Seriously - we know this first hand.  

Download MSDS & Technical Data