🧩 PA+CF20 – Polyamide 20% Carbon Fiber
(Technical polyamide reinforced with 20% carbon fiber, designed for extreme rigidity, dimensional stability, and superior thermal resistance. Elite material used in structural automotive parts, motorsports, and precision connectors.)
🔹 What is PA+CF20
PA+CF20 is a technical polyamide (PA6 / PA66) reinforced with 20% short carbon fibers, offering performance far superior to glass fiber variants. Carbon provides partial thermal and electrical conductivity, reduced weight, and increased rigidity without compromising thermal stability. It is used for covers, housings, connectors, and mechanical parts subjected to vibrations and dynamic loads.
🔧 Composition
- Polyamide (PA6 / PA66): 80 %
- Carbon Fibers (CF): 20 %
- Additives: thermal stabilizers, lubricants, antistatics.
- Density: 1.20–1.25 g/cm³ (lighter than glass-filled variants).
- Melting Point: ≈ 250–270 °C.
- Chemical Resistance: Excellent (oils, fuels, antifreeze).
- Continuous Heat Resistance: 130–150 °C.
🚗 Where PA+CF20 is used in the automotive industry
| Component | Example parts | Observations |
| Engine / Technical | Covers, consoles, fastening parts | High rigidity, low weight |
| Transmission / Brake | Spacers, levers, supports | High mechanical and thermal resistance |
| Electrical Systems | Connectors, plugs, housings | Partial conductivity, heat dissipation |
| Sport / Moto / Tuning | Visible elements with carbon finish | Technical look and minimum weight |
🔧 Welding Temperature and Methods
| Method | Optimal Temperature | Observations |
| Hot Air | 260 – 280 °C | Requires precise flow control to avoid burning fibers |
| Heat Plate (Mirror) | 250 – 270 °C | Clean and very solid joint |
| Manual Extrusion | 250 – 270 °C | Recommended for thick parts and long cracks |
🔩 What to Weld PA+CF20 With (Material Compatibility)
PA+CF20 behaves similarly to PA+GF but requires a more precisely controlled melting temperature.
✅ Compatible with:
- PA+CF20 ↔ PA6 / PA66 / PA+GF / PA610 / PA612 / PC+PA – ideal.
- PA+CF20 ↔ PBT / PC+PBT – partially compatible.
❌ Incompatible with:
- PP, PE, PVC, PS, ABS, ASA, pure PMMA – completely different melting points.
💡 ReplastMD Recommendation:
Use PA66 rods or PA+CF20 rods at 265–275 °C. Avoid overheating — carbon fibers can form black, brittle edges. After welding, lightly smooth the area with a short hot air pass for uniformity.
🏭 Manufacturers and Trade Names
- BASF: Ultramid® A3WC2 / B3WC2
- DuPont: Zytel® CF20
- Solvay: Amodel® CF20
- Evonik: Vestamid® Carbon 20
🧠 How to Identify PA+CF20
- Engraved marking: >PA66-CF20<, >CF20<, >Zytel<, >Ultramid<.
- Rigid, black, matte surface with a “graphitic” or metallic look.
- Much lighter than PA+GF.
- Blue flame, faint nylon smell.
- Softens at ≈ 260 °C without bubbling.
- ReplastMD practical test: If the part is rigid, very light, has a metallic-grey reflection and is marked >CF20<, it is confirmed Carbon Fiber Polyamide.
🛠️ PA+CF20 Welding at ReplastMD:
At our ReplastMD service center (Chisinau, Ciocana sector), we perform professional PA+CF20 welding for engine and transmission technical parts, ensuring a tough, lightweight, and stable finish.