Obsidian PA6+CF (Alternative to ONYX Markforged)

3DXtech is a technical filament manufacturer from the United States, operating since 2014, specialized in developing innovative polymers and custom blends aimed at meeting the most advanced functional needs of the additive manufacturing market. Its catalog includes technical materials, advanced filaments, and support filaments, intended for demanding applications where functionality is a priority. The company stands out especially for its carbon fiber reinforced filaments, among which the Obsidian PA Nylon 6+CF V2 filament, entirely produced in its 68,000 ft² factory in Grand Rapids, USA, stands out.

Video 1: Presentation of OBSIDIAN NYLON 6+CF V2 filament. Source: 3DXTech

Obsidian PA6 CF / Obsidian Nylon 6+CF V2

Obsidian PA Nylon 6+CF V2 was created as a more affordable alternative to Markforged Onyx filament, with savings of over 30%. Over time, 3DXtech completely reformulated the material to improve its performance, resulting in Obsidian™ Nylon 6+CF V2. This new version has been retested and validated in the lab and by the user community, officially becoming a 1:1 real alternative to Onyx, fully compatible with all Markforged printers. Additionally, it works seamlessly on open printers that support PA6+CF and is fully compatible with automatic material handling systems (AMS) such as Bambu AMS, Creality CFS, and Anycubic ACE Pro, thanks to its 750 g spool.

This filament is composed of >80% PA6 copolymer and <20% high modulus carbon fiber. The carbon fibers used, with a diameter of 5–10 μm, are aligned with the filament axis, optimizing its structural, mechanical, thermal, and dimensional stability properties. By combining the best of PA6 nylon with the stiffness and lightness of carbon fiber, Obsidian PA6 CF offers low warping, low shrinkage, high thermal performance, excellent processability, and great flow, making it a filament easy to print for technical applications.

The role of Nylon PA6 and carbon fiber

PA6 nylon is one of the most used engineering materials due to its excellent performance-to-cost ratio. It stands out for its heat resistance, toughness, compatibility with industrial environments, and resistance to oils, lubricants, and hydrocarbons. In industrial manufacturing, it is used for parts subject to wear, impact, friction, and high mechanical stress. When reinforced with carbon fiber (CF), its stiffness increases significantly, thermal expansion is reduced (low CTE), and the risk of deformation (warping) decreases, making the material an ideal metal substitute for lightweight, high-strength structural parts. These characteristics make it suitable for aerospace, automotive, and military device industries, where weight reduction and functionality are critical.

Main advantages of Obsidian PA Nylon 6+CF V2

• 1:1 alternative to Markforged Onyx, tested and validated by real users.
• Compatible with Markforged and open systems that support PA6+CF.
• Compatible with AMS systems (Bambu, Creality, Anycubic).
• High modulus carbon fiber with great stiffness, lightness, and dimensional stability.
• Low warping, low shrinkage, and low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE).
• Excellent surface finish and strong layer adhesion.
• Made in the USA with in-house quality control.

Printing with support

Obsidian PA Nylon 6+CF V2 allows producing complex parts with dual extrusion, combining it with a water-soluble support filament. The support recommended by the manufacturer is AquaTek X1 UMS, facilitating the production of functional parts with advanced geometry.

Applications

• Aeronautics and aerospace
• Automotive and motorsports
• Military and defense industry
• Civil engineering and industrial machinery
• Functional prototypes and end-use parts

Conclusion

Obsidian PA Nylon 6 CF V2 represents the evolution of a technical filament designed to compete directly with one of the most recognized materials in the sector, Markforged Onyx. Thanks to its reformulation, extended compatibility, optimized composition, and competitive price, it offers an accessible, reliable, and high-performance option for those looking to produce lightweight, highly functional structural parts. Its combination of toughness, thermal stability, and stiffness, along with ease of printing on professional systems and AMS, positions it as one of the most complete materials for end-use applications in additive manufacturing.