KARAKSA™ F BX113

Polyamide filament is one of the most widely used materials in industrial 3D printing due to its exceptional mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties. It offers a balanced performance suitable for a wide range of applications. However, both unreinforced and conventionally reinforced polyamides have limitations that affect their reliability in demanding industrial environments.

For unreinforced polyamide, the main challenges appear during the printing process: high warping that compromises dimensional accuracy, frequent failures in large or flat parts, strong stringing tendencies, and poor performance on bridges and overhangs. These issues limit design freedom and precision for industrial applications.

Carbon fiber (CF) or glass fiber (GF) reinforced polyamides reduce warping and increase stiffness, but introduce trade-offs: rough surface finish, restrictions on small-diameter nozzles (typically ≥0.4 mm for CF and ≥0.6 mm for GF), and accelerated wear on extruders and hotends due to abrasive fibers.

KARAKSA™ F BX113 was developed to overcome these limitations, offering a high-performance alternative to traditional reinforced nylons. It provides effective reinforcement without the common drawbacks of conventional fibers, making it ideal for industrial FFF 3D printing.

Advanced CNF Technology and Internal Structure

The key to KARAKSA™ F BX113’s performance lies in the highly uniform dispersion of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) within the nylon matrix. These nanofibers form a continuous 3D network through hydrogen bonding, distributing evenly at the nanoscale. This internal structure strengthens the material, improves load transfer between layers, and reduces internal stress during cooling—enhancing dimensional stability and part reliability.

Figure 1: Asahi Kasei cellulose nanofiber structure. Source: Asahi Kasei

Optimized Thixotropic Behavior for FFF Printing

Under high shear conditions in the nozzle, KARAKSA™ F BX113 flows smoothly, enabling consistent and stable extrusion. Once deposited, its viscosity rises quickly, preventing sagging and maintaining precise geometries. This translates to stable bridges, well-controlled overhangs, and excellent geometric fidelity, even in large or complex industrial parts.

Figure 2: Complex overhangs and bridges printed with Karaksa F. Source: Asahi Kasei

Dimensional Accuracy and Industrial Reliability

BX113 significantly reduces nylon’s thermal shrinkage, providing superior dimensional accuracy in long prints or large-volume parts. For industrial applications, this ensures higher repeatability, better tolerance control, and fewer rejected parts or post-processing adjustments.

Figure 3: Large parts printed with Karaksa with no visible warping. Source: Asahi Kasei

Smooth Surface Finish and Reduced Equipment Wear

Even as a reinforced filament, KARAKSA™ F BX113 offers a smooth, uniform surface finish, far superior to conventional CF or GF filaments. The flexible cellulose nanofibers reduce nozzle wear and minimize clogging risks. Hardened nozzles are not required, and printing is possible with nozzle diameters as small as 0.2 mm, maintaining high detail resolution.

Figure 4: Detail resolution comparison with different nozzle diameters using Karaksa F. Source: Asahi Kasei

High Mechanical Strength and Industrial Performance

Excellent interlayer adhesion gives BX113 high interlaminar strength, allowing parts to endure repeated stresses without delamination. Its exceptional thermal and mechanical resistance makes it ideal for structural components, industrial jigs, and mechanical parts where reliability and dimensional accuracy are critical.

Figure 5: Tight-tolerance assembly printed with Karaksa F. Source: Asahi Kasei

Within the KARAKSA™ F range, BX113 represents the ultimate technical performance option. Meanwhile, the BX102 (5% CNF) targets applications where flexibility and surface quality are prioritized, while still providing strong mechanical performance.

Important Notice: The following uses are strictly prohibited:

• Using this material for illegal activities or purposes.
• Using this material to manufacture medical devices.
• Using this material for devices intended to contact mucous membranes, bodily fluids, blood, or medications.
• Using this material for military applications, including development, manufacture, use, or storage of weapons or other military devices.
• Using this material for food- or beverage-contact products or devices.