Carbon LW (PA640GSL)
Carbon and glass-fiber reinforced polyamide, 2x stiffer than standard PA12. For structural applications where stiffness and dimensional stability are critical. Replaces aluminium in lightweight constructions with up to 60% weight savings.
Laatst bijgewerkt: June 2026
What is Carbon LW (PA640GSL)?
Carbon LW, officially PA640GSL from ALM, is a carbon and glass-fiber reinforced polyamide. With an E-modulus of 3816 MPa and a flexural modulus of 5040 MPa, Carbon LW is more than 2x stiffer than standard PA12. This makes it the ideal material for structural applications where weight, stiffness, and dimensional stability are critical.
The combination of carbon and glass fibers provides not only stiffness but also excellent thermal dimensional stability (HDT 184°C at 0.45 MPa). This makes Carbon LW suitable for applications near heat sources and in environments with temperature fluctuations.
Aluminium replacement
Carbon LW is frequently chosen as an aluminium replacement. At 1.22 g/cm³ (aluminium: 2.7 g/cm³), the material offers up to 55% weight savings while providing comparable stiffness for many structural applications. Additionally, complex geometries can be realized without tooling costs, enabling designs that are impossible with CNC milling or sheet metal.
Typical applications
Drone frames and UAV components: maximum stiffness at minimum weight. Carbon LW is the standard material for professional drone builders.
End-of-arm tooling: robot grippers that are lighter, stiffer, and faster. Less mass means faster cycle times and lower energy consumption.
Structural brackets and housings: for industrial equipment where vibration damping, stiffness, and weight are critical.
Automotive and motorsport: jigs, fixtures, and functional parts that replace metal in development and small series.
Typische toepassingen
Windtunnelmodellen die dimensiestabiel moeten blijven onder luchtstroom en niet mogen doorbuigen.
Constructieve brackets en montageplaten waar stijfheid kritisch is maar complex frezen te duur of te langzaam.
Stijve tooling en fixtures voor productie- en assemblagelijnen.
End-of-arm tooling voor robotica waar gewicht direct de cyclustijd beinvloedt.
Carbon LW vs PA12 vs PA 802-CF
| Eigenschap | Carbon LW | PA12 (wit) | PA 802-CF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treksterkte | 56 MPa | 45 MPa | 70 MPa (XY) |
| E-modulus | 3816 MPa | 1700 MPa | 6388 MPa (XY) |
| Buigmodulus | 5040 MPa | ~1500 MPa | 4978 MPa (XY) |
| Rek bij breuk | 3% | 20% | 11% (XY) |
| Dichtheid | 1.22 g/cm³ | 0.95 g/cm³ | 1.11 g/cm³ |
| Stijfheid vs PA12 | 2.2x | 1x | 3.8x (XY) |
Bron: EOS/ALM datasheets. Waarden kunnen varieren afhankelijk van bouworiëntatie en procesparameters.
Veelgestelde vragen over Carbon LW (PA640GSL)
How stiff is Carbon LW compared to PA12?
Carbon LW has an E-modulus of 3816 MPa versus 1700 MPa for PA12. That is more than 2x stiffer. The flexural modulus is even higher: 5040 MPa versus approximately 1600 MPa for PA12.
Can Carbon LW replace aluminium?
In many applications, yes. Carbon LW is 55% lighter than aluminium and offers comparable stiffness for structural applications. The main limitations are: lower absolute strength at extreme loads, and maximum operating temperature of approximately 170°C.
What is the lead time for Carbon LW?
Standard lead time is 5 business days. Carbon LW runs on a dedicated EOS P396 production line, so no changeover times or contamination from other materials.
Is Carbon LW suitable for series production?
Yes. Carbon LW is produced on a dedicated production line and delivers consistent quality from batch to batch. Suitable for series from 1 to several thousand parts.
What color is Carbon LW?
Carbon LW is dark grey to black by nature, due to the carbon fiber content. Post-coloring is not standard because the fibers are visible on the surface.
Wat is de levertijd voor Carbon LW?
Standaard levertijd is 5 werkdagen. Carbon LW wordt geproduceerd op dedicated P396-systemen met gecontroleerde procesparameters voor optimale vezelorientatie.
Wat klanten zeggen over Carbon LW (PA640GSL)
“Because we design fully custom solutions, 3D printing technology is ideal. Virtually no limitations compared to turning and milling.”
PWR · Robotics
Lees het verhaal →“Making the impossible possible. Complex geometries that are not achievable with traditional techniques, printed in series.”
Engineering
Lees het verhaal →Klaar om te produceren met Carbon LW (PA640GSL)?
Upload je 3D-bestand en ontvang binnen 24 uur een prijsopgave. Ons engineering team controleert elk ontwerp op maakbaarheid.
Why manufacturers choose Parts on Demand
Industrial SLS 3D printing at production scale. 11 machines. 6 engineering-grade materials. One dedicated team.
Production capacity, not prototyping
Our fleet of 3x EOS P500 dual-laser and 7x EOS P396 systems runs 24/7 for series production. That means consistent mechanical properties from batch 1 to batch 1,000. When you need 5 parts or 50,000, the process and quality are identical.
Co-engineering included
Every project is reviewed by our in-house application engineering team before production. We optimize wall thickness, orientation, and geometry for SLS (DfAM), catching issues that would cause rejects. Competitors send your file straight to a printer. We make sure it works first.
6 materials, each with a purpose
PA12 for general-purpose parts (48 MPa tensile strength). PA 950 HD for structural black parts at reduced cost (44 MPa, 80% powder reuse). Carbon LW for metal replacement at 40% less weight. PA802CF for maximum stiffness. PA11 for chemical resistance. TPU for flexible, rubber-like applications.
Based in Utrecht, shipping across Europe
Standard delivery from 5 working days. Express within 48 hours. Upload your STEP, STL, or 3MF file and receive a quote within 24 hours. No tooling costs, no minimum order quantities, no setup fees. Scale from prototype to series whenever you are ready.