3DXTech OBSIDIAN Nylon 6+GF The Colorful Glass-Fiber Onyx Alternative
The Colorful Glass-Fiber Onyx Alternative
OBSIDIAN Nylon 6+GF is a USA-made, 15% glass-fiber-reinforced Nylon 6 (PA6) filament engineered as a colorful, lower-cost alternative to Markforged’s Onyx. 3DXTech developed it on their own in-house Markforged printer so it prints cleanly on the Markforged platform — and, unlike Onyx, it also runs on open-format machines that handle PA6+GF. Where Onyx ships in black only, OBSIDIAN-GF gives you eight production colors with high stiffness, strong heat resistance, and a clean matte finish. Full specifications →
Availability and lead time vary by color and reel size — contact Rev1 to confirm before ordering. Need bulk pricing, 2.85 mm, or a print profile for your machine? Call (248) 707-2950.
A colorful Onyx alternative, made and tested in the USA.
3DXTech compounds OBSIDIAN-GF from premium chopped glass fiber and PA6 copolymer at its 68,000 sq ft facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and publishes a full technical data sheet (GF15 TDS Rev 1.0) for the grade. Rev1 Technologies is your authorized 3DXTech reseller and US support partner, Auburn Hills, Michigan.
Glass-fiber-reinforced PA6 — Onyx-grade engineering, in eight colors.
OBSIDIAN Nylon 6+GF is a premium glass-fiber-reinforced Nylon 6 (PA6) copolymer formulated by 3DXTech to give Markforged owners a colorful, cost-effective alternative to Onyx — without giving up strength, stiffness, or surface quality. The 15% chopped-glass reinforcement raises rigidity and heat resistance well above unfilled nylon, while the PA6 base keeps the material tough and easy to print. Because glass fiber accepts pigment (carbon fiber does not), OBSIDIAN-GF is offered in eight production colors instead of black only.
Onyx performance and finish — with color, and without the lock-in.
Developed and validated on 3DXTech’s own in-house Markforged printer.
Markforged’s Onyx ships in black only and ties you to a single OEM’s filament supply. OBSIDIAN-GF is engineered to print cleanly on that same Markforged platform, then goes further: it runs on open-format machines rated for PA6+GF, and it comes in eight colors so you can code parts, brand fixtures, or simply match a spec. You keep the engineering-grade stiffness and heat resistance; you gain color and choice.
Stiff, strong, and heat-resistant — straight from the TDS.
Every number below is from the 3DXTech OBSIDIAN-GF (GF15) Technical Data Sheet, Rev 1.0, measured to ISO test standards on specimens printed at 100% infill. Glass reinforcement is what pushes the stiffness and heat-deflection figures well past unfilled PA6 — and past Markforged Onyx.
Nearly double Onyx’s 2.4 GPa (ISO 527) — high rigidity from the same part geometry.
Strong under sustained tensile load (ISO 527) — well above typical unfilled nylon.
Resists bending loads (ISO 178) with a stiff 4.7 GPa flexural modulus behind it.
At 0.45 MPa (ISO 75) — holds shape far hotter than Onyx’s 145°C for parts near heat.
Controlled ductility (ISO 527) typical of a stiff glass-filled composite nylon.
Dimensionally stable glass-fiber nylon (ISO 1183) for repeatable, load-bearing parts.
Easy-printing PA6 — a hardened nozzle is the one must-have.
OBSIDIAN-GF prints in a comfortable range on standard high-performance FFF machines — no exotic high-temp hotend required. Glass fiber is abrasive, so a hardened nozzle is required; nylon is hygroscopic, so dry it first. These are 3DXTech’s recommended settings.
Prints in a moderate range — comfortable for Markforged and most open-format PA6-capable printers.
A heated bed with a suitable nylon adhesive gives reliable first-layer grip.
A heated chamber improves layer bonding and reduces warp on larger structural parts.
Use a hardened-steel or abrasion-resistant nozzle — glass fiber wears out brass fast.
Runs fine down to 0.10 mm for detail, or thicker for speed and strength.
Nylon absorbs moisture; dry the filament and keep it dry for the best surface and strength.
Load-bearing, heat-exposed, and color-coded parts.
The combination of glass-fiber stiffness, PA6 toughness, and a high deflection temperature makes OBSIDIAN-GF a strong pick for functional parts that also need to look the part — in a color that means something on your shop floor.
Eight production colors — the one thing Onyx can’t do.
Because glass fiber accepts pigment, OBSIDIAN-GF is offered in eight colors with a clean matte finish: OD Green, Blue, Flat Dark Earth, Orange, Metallic Silver, Tactical Tan, White, and Yellow. Every color is the same 15% glass-fiber PA6 formulation and the same mechanical and thermal performance — color is cosmetic, not a compromise. All eight ship in 1.75 mm on a 1 kg reel; need 2.85 mm or bulk quantities? Ask us about standing-order pricing. Use the color selector above to preview each spool.
Check the 1 kg reel fits your printer or AMS.
Standard 1 kg spool dimensions — sized for common AMS and dry-box holders.
3DXTech ships OBSIDIAN-GF on a consistent 1 kg reel across all colors.
The 1 kg reel is dimensioned to fit popular automated material systems as well as standard spool holders and dryboxes. Before you buy, check the outer diameter, width, and center bore against your printer’s spool holder or AMS. Open the full 3DXTech reel infographic for exact dimensions.
View reel dimensions →More stiffness, more heat resistance, more color.
The property chart below is 3DXTech’s own published data for OBSIDIAN-GF (GF15 TDS Rev 1.0). The comparison table sets those figures beside Markforged’s published Onyx datasheet so you can see where the glass-fiber grade lands — note the two use different test standards, so treat it as directional, not certified head-to-head.
Roughly double Onyx’s stiffness, and 30°C more heat resistance.
Click the chart to enlarge the full OBSIDIAN-GF property profile.
OBSIDIAN-GF out-measures Onyx on tensile modulus (4.6 vs 2.4 GPa), flexural strength (128 vs 71 MPa), flexural modulus (4.7 vs 3.0 GPa), and heat deflection (176 vs 145°C), and adds eight colors versus Onyx’s black-only. Onyx trades some of that stiffness for higher ductility, so if your part needs maximum impact ductility, weigh both — we’ll help you choose.
| Property | OBSIDIAN Nylon 6+GF | Markforged Onyx | Generic PA6-GF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reinforcement | 15% glass fiber | Micro carbon fiber | Glass fiber (varies) |
| Tensile modulus | 4.6 GPa | 2.4 GPa | Varies widely |
| Flexural strength | 128 MPa | 71 MPa | Varies widely |
| Flexural modulus | 4.7 GPa | 3.0 GPa | Varies widely |
| Deflection temp @ 0.45 MPa | 176°C | 145°C | Typically lower |
| Colors | Eight | Black only | Limited |
| Printer compatibility | Markforged + open-format | Markforged only | Open-format |
| Relative material cost | Lower | Premium (OEM-locked) | Lower, inconsistent |
OBSIDIAN-GF figures are from the 3DXTech OBSIDIAN-GF (GF15) TDS Rev 1.0 (ISO 527 / 178 / 75). Markforged Onyx figures are from Markforged’s published composites datasheet (ASTM D638 / D790 / D648). Because the two grades are tested to different standards, the comparison is directional. Generic PA6-GF varies by supplier; confirm against each supplier’s own TDS. Markforged and Onyx are trademarks of Markforged, Inc.; 3DXTech OBSIDIAN is an independent alternative and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Markforged.
3DXTech OBSIDIAN Nylon 6+GF Technical Data
RESOURCES
Datasheet & Print Support
Everything you need to qualify and print OBSIDIAN Nylon 6+GF.
WHY REV1 TECH
Authorized 3DXTech Reseller. Engineering-Materials Specialists.
Rev1 Technologies is an authorized 3DXTech reseller in Auburn Hills, MI, supplying genuine USA-made engineering filament with real print support.
We help you pick the right color and grade, dial in the profile, and keep production running.
FAQ
3DXTech OBSIDIAN Nylon 6+GF — Common Questions
Is OBSIDIAN-GF an Onyx replacement?
It’s a colorful alternative aimed at the same jobs. 3DXTech developed OBSIDIAN-GF on their own in-house Markforged printer so it prints cleanly on the Markforged platform, and its published stiffness, strength, and heat-deflection numbers land above Markforged’s Onyx datasheet. The big difference: Onyx is black only, while OBSIDIAN-GF comes in eight colors. Onyx (carbon-filled) offers more ductility, so we’ll help you weigh the two for your part.
Does it print on non-Markforged printers?
Yes — OBSIDIAN-GF is compatible with any open-format printer capable of PA6+GF. Unlike Onyx, you are not restricted to the Markforged platform. The 1 kg reel fits common automated material systems and standard spool holders.
What’s the difference between OBSIDIAN-GF and OBSIDIAN-CF?
Both are 3DXTech PA6 Onyx alternatives. OBSIDIAN-GF is glass-fiber reinforced and comes in eight colors with high stiffness and heat resistance. OBSIDIAN-CF is carbon-fiber reinforced, black only, and tuned to match Onyx’s matte-black look. Choose GF for color and stiffness; choose CF for the black carbon-fiber finish. We’ll help you pick.
What print settings does it need?
Extruder 265–285°C, bed 90–110°C, and a hardened-steel nozzle (0.4 mm minimum). A heated chamber is recommended for larger parts but isn’t strictly required. It prints in a moderate range on standard high-performance FFF machines.
Why do I need a hardened nozzle?
The glass fiber that gives this filament its stiffness is abrasive and quickly wears out a standard brass nozzle. Use a hardened-steel or other abrasion-resistant nozzle, 0.4 mm minimum — the same requirement as Onyx and other fiber-filled filaments.
Do I have to dry it?
Yes. Nylon is hygroscopic and absorbs moisture from the air. Dry the filament at 65°C for about 4 hours before printing and keep it in a dry box for the best surface finish and strength.
What colors and sizes are available?
OBSIDIAN-GF ships in eight colors — OD Green, Blue, Flat Dark Earth, Orange, Metallic Silver, Tactical Tan, White, and Yellow — in 1.75 mm on a 1 kg reel. Every color is the same formulation and performance. Need 2.85 mm or bulk quantities? Call us about standing-order pricing.
Is it made in the USA?
Yes — 3DXTech manufactures OBSIDIAN-GF at its 68,000 sq ft facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with a published technical data sheet for the grade.
What’s the lead time?
Availability and lead time vary by color and reel size. Contact Rev1 at (248) 707-2950 or request a quote and we’ll confirm the current lead time for the colors and quantities you need before you order.