34% Cheaper & Bambu Lab Friendly: 3DXTech Launches Obsidian FR-Nylon to Rival Onyx FR
For users seeking flame-retardant nylon without a closed printer ecosystem, 3DXTech is building a library of tested slicer profiles to simplify setup across more machines.
3DXTech just launched its Obsidian FR-Nylon, a new engineering-grade material that combines key properties of nylon, including toughness and chemical resistance, with flame-retardant performance.
At $125 for a 750 g spool at, the company is positioning the material as a more affordable alternative to Markforged’s Onyx FR for strong, functional parts where flame retardancy is important.
According to 3DXTech, the filament has been tested on Markforged hardware as well as open-material 3D printers, enabling users to run the same material across a broader selection of machines.
An Alternative to Markforged Onyx FR?
Obsidian FR-Nylon was developed to emulate the performance and processing behavior of Onyx FR for stiff, carbon-fiber-filled parts requiring flame retardancy. 3DXTech says it conducted third-party laboratory tests comparing the two materials, with Obsidian FR-Nylon showing comparable strength and stiffness.
Obsidian FR-Nylon should not be viewed as a documentation or certification equivalent. Onyx FR has a UL Blue Card, which links its certified properties to the material, printer, and defined processing conditions. Onyx FR is therefore the better choice for users whose designs require regulatory approval.
For users who do not require that level of regulatory documentation, Obsidian FR-Nylon remains an attractive lower cost alternative. According to 3DXTech’s estimate, a facility consuming approximately 22 spools per year could reduce annual material spending from about $5,000 for Onyx FR to $3,300 for Obsidian FR-Nylon.
Open-Material Compatibility
Unlike Onyx FR, Obsidian FR-Nylon is designed for use beyond the Markforged ecosystem. 3DXTech tested the filament on the Bambu Lab H2D printer and claims the spool format is also compatible with other automated material systems such as Creality CFS and Anycubic ACE Pro.
Obsidian FR-Nylon – Bambu Lab H2D Settings
These settings were used to produce the Bambu Lab H2D test specimens documented by 3DXTech. They should be treated as general starting points for compatible enclosed printers.
To help users tune the material, 3DXTech is developing a GitHub library of tested slicer profiles for a growing range of printers. The company is also inviting users to contribute profiles for machines not yet represented in the library, which could make the material easier to adopt across different open platforms.
UL 94 V-0 Classification
The headline specification is a UL 94 V-0 classification at a tested thickness of 3.0 mm.
This means that when the printed part was ignited, it self-extinguished within the permitted time after the ignition source was removed and did not produce flaming drips capable of igniting material beneath it. The rating should not be assumed to apply to thinner printed walls
Although 3DXTech positions Obsidian FR-Nylon as a one-to-one alternative to Markforged’s Onyx FR, its availability outside the Markforged ecosystem may be the more significant advantage. By offering a nylon filament with a reported V-0 classification and compatibility with open-material 3D printers, 3DXTech provides greater freedom to choose hardware rather than tying flame-retardant nylon printing to a single platform.
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