Description From Proto-Pasta
For exceptional accuracy, finish & performance, choose Carbon Fiber
Proto-pasta Carbon Fiber Composite HTPLA is a combination of milled carbon fibers & high-performance PLA. Resulting 3D printed prototypes & end-use parts are characterized by exceptionally form stability up to 160 deg C (320 deg F) when heat treated.
Filament specs:
Base material: Heat treatable PLA with higher temperature resistance
Characteristics: low odor, non-toxic, renewable-sourced biodegradable polymer
Molecular structure: Amorphous "as printed", partially crystalline when "heat treated"
Additives: 10% by weight high-purity, milled carbon fiber
Max particle size: 0.15 mm (may limit nozzle size & layer thickness)
Density & length: 1.3 g/cc for 360 m/kg (1.75) & 136 m/kg (2.85) lengths
Min bend diameter: 40 mm (1.75) & 100 mm (2.85)
Glass transition (amorphous "as printed" material use limit): approx. 55 deg C
Melt point (crystalline "heat treated" material use limit): approx. 170 deg C
Note that melting resets heat treated material to amorphous "as printed" state
Min temp to avoid jamming @ 1.5 cubic mm/s: approx. 215 deg C
Min temp to avoid jamming @ 9 cubic mm/s: approx. 235 deg C
Temp to overcome jamming on Prusa MK3 at start of print: 255 deg C
Min recommended volume flow @ 240 deg C: 1.5 cubic mm/s (e3d v6)
Max recommended volume flow @ 240 deg C: 9 cubic mm/s (e3d v6)
Volume flow = extrusion width x layer height x speed in mm
For example 0.5 mm extrusion width & 0.2 mm layer height for speed 20-90 mm/s
Max use temp: 50 deg C "as printed", 160 deg C when "heat treated"
Application-specific use limits are geometry, load & condition dependent
Typical heat treating conditions: 110 deg C (225 deg F) for 30 min
A large range of temperatures & times can yield acceptable results
Typical dimension change when heat treating: 0.6% x/y shrink, 1% z growth
Scale for slicer when heat treating: 1.006 or 100.6% x/y, 0.99 or 99% z
Printer requirements:
Must accept 3rd party filament (not cartridges)
Must allow nozzle replacement & parameter adjustment
Heated bed not required, but up to 60 deg C recommended
Filament path must not bend tighter than min bend diameter
Packaging:
Available in 1.75 & 2.85 (3.00) mm diameter
50 g loose coil, 500 g on cardboard spool & 3 kg on plastic spool
Cardboard spools are 90g weight & 20 cm dia x 6 cm wide w/ 5 cm opening
Carefully remove cardboard spool sides for Masterspool compatibility - recycle locally
3kg spools are 1kg weight & 30 cm dia x 10 cm wide w/ 5 cm opening - return spools for re-use
Unpacking, handling, & storage:
Hold filament end when unwrapping spool to avoid looping
Do not bend tighter than min bend diameter
When done printing, secure filament end to avoid looping
Store in cool, dry place away from UV light for peak performance
Printing recommendations:
Clean print surface with alcohol or water using adhesion aid if required
Carefully control first layer gap for adhesion without jamming
Print within volume flow range to ensure full melting of material
Nozzle diameter limited by volume flow limits & max particle size
Layer thickness limited by volume flow limits & max particle size
Speed limited by volume flow limits & nozzle temperature
Adjust extrusion multiplier or flow as required for accurate extrusion width
Replace nozzle when worn
Max layer fan after 1st layer for best surface quality w/ short layer times
Isolate/insulate heater block from layer fan for consistent heating
More about HTPLA & heat treating:
HTPLA is a semi-crystalline grade of PLA optimized for heat treating (also known as annealing or crystallizing) for higher temperature use. Without heat treating, "as printed" amorphous PLA loses significant stiffness (and the thus the ability to retain form) as the material approaches it's relatively low glass transition temperature. Heat treating creates a more crystalline molecular structure for maintaining stiffness to near melting, thus extending the useful range of HTPLA, but also creates shrinkage. HTPLA parts should be scaled in slicer to compensate for shrinkage when heat treating.