FibreSeek X-CCF Carbon Fibre Filament CCF Filament
FibreSeek X-CCF Carbon Fiber Filament CCF Filament
FibreSeek X-CCF is a continuous carbon fibre reinforcement material developed for Composite Fibre Co-extrusion (CFC) printing with the FibreSeeker 3. Rather than using short chopped fibres mixed into a conventional thermoplastic filament, X-CCF provides a continuous carbon fibre path through the printed component.
The continuous fibre is impregnated with thermoset resin and has an approximate fibre volume fraction of 60%. During CFC printing, the FibreSeeker 3 combines X-CCF with a compatible thermoplastic matrix material to create composite parts with significantly increased tensile strength and stiffness along the reinforced fibre paths.
X-CCF is intended for functional engineering parts where conventional FFF materials may not provide sufficient mechanical performance, including structural components, lightweight tooling, robotics, fixtures, jigs and load-bearing prototypes.
Key Benefits of X-CCF Continuous Carbon Fibre
- Continuous fibre reinforcement: Uses full-length carbon fibre paths rather than short chopped fibres dispersed through a thermoplastic.
- High tensile performance: FibreSeek's composite printing system is rated for tensile strength of up to 900 MPa depending on material combination, fibre placement and print configuration.
- High stiffness-to-weight ratio: Carbon fibre reinforcement can substantially increase part rigidity without the weight associated with many metallic alternatives.
- Controlled reinforcement: Fibre paths can be incorporated into areas of the model where additional structural performance is required.
- Designed for FibreSeeker 3: X-CCF is one of the dedicated continuous fibre materials supported by the printer's CFC printhead.
Continuous Carbon Fibre Rather Than Chopped Carbon Fibre
X-CCF should not be confused with conventional carbon-fibre-filled FFF filament. Materials such as PA-CF normally contain short carbon fibres distributed throughout a thermoplastic polymer. These chopped fibres can improve stiffness, dimensional stability and other properties, but each fibre remains relatively short.
X-CCF instead maintains continuous carbon fibre along the reinforcement path. This enables loads to be transferred through long fibre sections and can provide much higher directional tensile performance when the reinforcement paths are correctly designed for the application.
Composite Fibre Co-Extrusion for Structural Parts
The FibreSeeker 3 uses Composite Fibre Co-extrusion technology to combine continuous reinforcement fibre with thermoplastic material during printing. X-CCF passes through the printer's dedicated CFC system, allowing carbon fibre reinforcement to be integrated directly into the printed component.
This approach can be particularly useful for:
- Structural prototypes
- Robotics components
- Jigs and fixtures
- Lightweight brackets and supports
- Drone and UAV components
- Engineering tooling
- Load-bearing functional parts
- Low-volume composite manufacturing
Mechanical Performance
The final properties of an X-CCF reinforced part depend on the thermoplastic matrix, reinforcement path, fibre content, geometry and print configuration. Manufacturer TDS figures reproduced for X-CCF 1K demonstrate how performance can vary when the same continuous carbon fibre is combined with different CFC matrix materials.
| Mechanical Property | X-CCF / CFC PLA | X-CCF / CFC PETG | X-CCF / CFC PA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 883 ± 156.3 MPa | 859 ± 71 MPa | 865 ± 37.7 MPa |
| Tensile Modulus | 84 ± 3.6 GPa | 82 ± 11.7 GPa | 81 ± 4.7 GPa |
| Tensile Strain at Break | 0.91 ± 0.2% | 1.05 ± 0.09% | 1.0 ± 0.09% |
| Compressive Strength | 287.3 ± 43.8 MPa | 202.9 ± 30.6 MPa | 140.8 ± 22.5 MPa |
| Flexural Strength | 494.1 ± 41.5 MPa | 294.2 ± 37.7 MPa | 319.4 ± 21.3 MPa |
| Flexural Modulus | 40.1 ± 2.6 GPa | 33.8 ± 1.8 GPa | 32.8 ± 1.4 GPa |
FibreSeeker 3 Compatibility
X-CCF is designed for the FibreSeeker 3 continuous fibre 3D printer. The printer uses separate systems for normal FFF thermoplastics and continuous fibre reinforcement.
- Printing technology: Composite Fibre Co-extrusion (CFC)
- Compatible printer: FibreSeeker 3
- Fibre type: Continuous carbon fibre
- Fibre designation: X-CCF / X-CCF 1K
- CFC nozzle diameter: 0.7 mm
- Maximum CFC nozzle temperature: 350°C
- Fibre cutting: Integrated automatic fibre cutter
- CFC material storage: Integrated fibre chamber
Using X-CCF with Matrix Materials
X-CCF functions as the structural reinforcement within the composite rather than as the complete printed material. A compatible thermoplastic matrix is used alongside the carbon fibre during the printing process.
The FibreSeeker platform supports combinations involving PLA, PETG and PA-based matrix materials, including FibreSeek CFC-optimised filaments. The choice of matrix affects properties such as temperature resistance, toughness, impact behaviour and overall mechanical performance, while X-CCF supplies the continuous carbon fibre reinforcement.
For applications where maximum strength is required, fibre orientation should be considered during part design and slicing. Continuous fibre provides its greatest benefit when reinforcement is positioned along the primary load paths of the component.
Technical Specifications
| Technical Property | Specification | Practical Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Product | FibreSeek X-CCF | Dedicated reinforcement material for FibreSeek CFC printing. |
| Material Type | Continuous carbon fibre impregnated with thermoset resin | Provides continuous rather than chopped-fibre reinforcement. |
| Fibre Designation | X-CCF 1K | Continuous carbon fibre reinforcement used by the FibreSeeker 3. |
| Fibre Volume Fraction | Approximately 60% | Represents the proportion of reinforcing fibre within the impregnated material. |
| Printing Process | Composite Fibre Co-extrusion (CFC) | Continuous fibre is combined with a thermoplastic matrix during printing. |
| Compatible Printer | FibreSeeker 3 | Designed specifically around the FibreSeeker CFC material system. |
| Required CFC Nozzle | 0.7 mm | The FibreSeeker 3 uses a dedicated nozzle for continuous fibre deposition. |
| Composite Tensile Performance | Up to 900 MPa | Maximum FibreSeek system claim; actual part performance depends on matrix, fibre path, geometry and printing configuration. |
Storage and Handling
- Keep X-CCF clean and protected from dust, contamination and physical damage before use.
- Store the material at normal room temperature in suitable packaging when it is not installed in the printer.
- Avoid crushing, sharply bending or damaging the continuous fibre feed material.
- Install the material through the FibreSeeker 3's dedicated CFC material path according to the printer manufacturer's instructions.
- Follow FibreSeek's recommended handling and operating procedures when loading, unloading or replacing continuous fibre material.
Who Is X-CCF For?
FibreSeek X-CCF is intended for FibreSeeker 3 users who need more structural performance than conventional FFF printing alone can provide. It is particularly relevant to engineers, manufacturers, research teams and advanced product-development users producing functional components where stiffness, tensile strength and low component weight are important.
For parts where continuous reinforcement is unnecessary, conventional FFF materials may remain the simpler option. X-CCF is most valuable where the design can make deliberate use of continuous fibre paths to reinforce areas exposed to meaningful mechanical loads.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is FibreSeek X-CCF?
FibreSeek X-CCF is a continuous carbon fibre reinforcement material for the FibreSeeker 3. It is used by the printer's Composite Fibre Co-extrusion system to integrate continuous carbon fibre into thermoplastic 3D printed components.
Is X-CCF the same as carbon fibre-filled filament?
No. Conventional carbon fibre-filled filament normally contains short chopped carbon fibres mixed into a thermoplastic. X-CCF provides continuous carbon fibre reinforcement, allowing longer fibre paths to be incorporated into a component for increased directional strength and stiffness.
Which 3D printer is FibreSeek X-CCF compatible with?
X-CCF is designed for the FibreSeeker 3 and its dedicated Composite Fibre Co-extrusion system. It should not be treated as conventional filament for a standard FFF extruder.
What does CFC mean on the FibreSeeker 3?
CFC stands for Composite Fibre Co-extrusion. The process combines continuous reinforcement fibre such as X-CCF with a thermoplastic matrix material during 3D printing.
How strong are X-CCF reinforced parts?
FibreSeek states composite tensile strength of up to 900 MPa for the FibreSeeker 3 system. Manufacturer TDS testing for X-CCF with CFC PLA records a tensile strength of 883 ± 156.3 MPa. Actual component strength depends on factors including matrix material, fibre orientation, reinforcement density, geometry and print configuration.
Can X-CCF be used with PLA and PETG?
Yes. X-CCF can be combined with compatible thermoplastic matrix materials including PLA and PETG, as well as PA-based materials. FibreSeek also offers CFC-optimised matrix filaments intended specifically for its continuous-fibre process.
Does X-CCF use the normal FibreSeeker 3 FFF nozzle?
No. The FibreSeeker 3 has a dedicated CFC material system with a 0.7 mm CFC nozzle and integrated fibre cutter. The standard FFF and continuous fibre material paths perform different roles during composite printing.
What types of parts are suitable for X-CCF?
X-CCF is intended for mechanically demanding components where continuous reinforcement can provide a useful structural benefit. Typical examples include brackets, robotics components, jigs, fixtures, tooling, lightweight structural parts, drone components and functional engineering prototypes.
What's in the Box
- 1 x FibreSeek X-CCF Carbon Fibre Filament CCF Filament
