Are fill filaments Dangerous? Carbon Fiber & Glass Filled

[@NathanBuildsRobots]

Nice! It’s very reassuring to see that carbon fiber filament can be made in a way that is safe to handle. I guess that’s the difference between cheap OEM stuff I got from Creality and Bambu Lab. Whoever is making the filament you’re handling is doing it right. And to a high quality standard.

[@TH3DStudio]

Thanks for the comment! Glad to see that our stuff, Coex, and Atomic are all making it right. Great video btw!

[@alecubudulecu]

It’s definitely different filaments. I run Bambu and it absolutely leaves splinters when I checked under the microscope. I print a LOT of PETG CF and this was very concerning for me. I have rifle cheek rests I use often, keyboard keycaps (8-12 hours a day ), my mouse shell, and a few cosplay masks … all in CF. After watching Nathan’s video I’m redoing all of it … at least spray a clear coat on everything or reprint.

[@alecubudulecu]

@@TH3DStudioI should also note that I DID see fibers. On the Bambu ones.

[@hydos0694]

Can confirm that Siddament branded filament does not have fibers sticking out at all and acts like yours in the videos for Australian's buying filament

[@st0mper121]

what's your thoughts on QIDI with CF filaments? was thinking of getting some PET-CF or PA12-CF from QIDI I don't have very much experience with CF filaments.

[@houseofshred3725]

I'm curious to know if the fibers end up in the air while you're printing. Any thoughts?

[@TH3DStudio]

Considering they weren't getting in my hands it's doubtful it's going in the air.

[@honkhonk8009]

Tbh it sounds a little silly. Its the small particles you have to be carefull of. Fibers dont seem small enough to get stuck that way.

[@abc121xyz]

I have QIDI PET-CF and if I break it I can see with my 20bucks microscope the fibers in the filament and in my hand, so it might depend on brand, or maybe you need a stronger microscope, the filaments are so tiny that it was difficult to focus, and I can see that your zoom level is not the best one.

[@nicks1146]

Missing critical information: % carbon fiber and more importantly aspect ratio. As you mentioned - if the CF is ground to dust you won’t see anything and the CF might improve the stiffness (Young’s modulus ) . The aspect ratio is the length vs diameter and that length is what improves the strength of a print - the shorter the fiber the less interface with the matrix polymer and less transfer of load from the polymer to the CF. Your filaments must have short fibers if you’re not seeing any when broken (not cut). Let me know if you’re interested and I can post a video with a wider variety of results.

[@matthewroloff5095]

I would be very interested in seeing those factors analyzed across different brands.

[@Juiceboxmakes]

I'm guessing the carbon stays mostly solid through the melt process and thats why it grinds nozzles so hard. And your skin would push out the microfibers over time. VOCs are the biggest concern still and I think nevermore is doing a great job with that. Some light ppe like a set of nitrile gloves will help

[@BertNielson]

Thank you for attempting to replicate. This is how you science. Tonight I'll be putting the TH3D nozzle in my X1C!

[@NWGR]

I mentioned this on reddit, but this is why it's important to have more than a single source of data, and not trust a single source as gospel. Dr Igor is getting in on this as well; I can't wait for his video. Thanks for posting.

[@bwselectronic]

Just watched his video a little while ago. It's interesting

[@cbgslinger]

I watched Nathan’s video and then yours and what I don’t understand is the focus on the carbon fiber filament before printing and not after. Your brief after focus on a part that had been milled. It seems like the real issue is does CF filament shed carbon fibers when handling printed parts. Neither of the two of you have really addressed it. Am I missing something?

[@TH3DStudio]

We found there was no shedding that we could see printed or not. Could just be the filaments we tested. IMO its nothing to worry about either way. Even talking to people who actually make filament and handle the raw materials also state that its nothing to worry about.

[@cbgslinger]

@@TH3DStudio Thanks for closing the loop. I 3D printed a guitar neck using carbon fiber PLA, so I was wondering because it is a “hands on” part.

[@secv]

Thank you for sharing

[@gitss7367]

I need to catch up on Nathan's video, I watch almost all his stuff. We run a saw and tool sharpening business and I know I sharpen easily hundreds of chainsaw chains yearly. I use leather gloves with support wraps but no finger tips and I can go weeks or months with no issues but every so often you catch a metal splinter in your finger. Maybe its a similar thing with fiber fill, no issues usually but sometimes when you handle it enough you get a run of bad luck. I kid Nathan about his fetish about fan noise from time to time. I think he's more of a lab guy than a machine shop guy in some ways.

[@Juiceboxmakes]

Ya he would pass out if i put my hand under a microscope after work even with gloves on

[@offaxisfpv]

from what i know of years of drones and 3d printing, this video is kinda weird to me. checking splinters from FDM filament is like checking for nails in water. the filmant might have jagged edges when rubbing your fingers on it, but so does sandpaper and velcro. people are silly. i couldnt stop lauging when yuou rubbed your fingers against your drone frame LOL silly Tim.

[@TH3DStudio]

Just trying to be thorough!