Introducing Onyx ESD: The Next‑Generation ESD‑Safe 3D‑Printed Material

Introducing Onyx ESD

We are thrilled to unveil Onyx ESD, a breakthrough material that brings true ESD safety to digital manufacturing. After rigorous testing and refinement, this static‑dissipative variant of our award‑winning Onyx is ready to help electronics makers print tooling, fixtures, and end‑use parts that meet the most demanding ESD standards.

Onyx ESD unlocks the full potential of the Digital Forge platform, enabling rapid, cost‑effective production of complex, high‑quality parts that were previously limited to expensive CNC or injection‑molded solutions.

What Is Onyx ESD?

Onyx ESD is a micro‑carbon‑fiber‑filled nylon engineered with a precisely calibrated conductive filler. The result is a material that satisfies the industry‑accepted static‑dissipative range (10^4–10^11 Ω) while delivering surface resistance between 10^5 and 10^7 Ω across all print orientations and material lots. This tight range guarantees consistent ESD protection for every part, whether printed alone or reinforced with continuous fiber for maximum strength and stiffness.

Beyond safety, Onyx ESD outperforms standard Onyx in tensile strength and finishes with an exceptionally smooth surface—ideal for precision fixtures and tooling.

Why Choose Markforged Onyx ESD?

The key differentiator is its controlled surface resistance. Unlike fully conductive metals that allow sparks to jump, or insulating plastics that build up dangerous static charges, Onyx ESD occupies the “dissipative” sweet spot that safely channels electrons away. This precision engineering is made possible by our proprietary formulation and the high‑resolution, low‑defect printing of the Industrial series.

Applications

Onyx ESD excels in any application where ESD protection is mandatory:

• Assembly and test fixtures
• Custom hand tools
• Enclosures and component trays
• Robotic end‑of‑arm grippers
• Jigs and tooling for high‑precision manufacturing

A beta partner that develops test equipment for large electronics manufacturers has replaced CNC‑machined fixtures with Onyx ESD prints, gaining unprecedented geometric freedom and superior surface quality that meets customer delivery standards. For detailed case studies, see our spotlight on Swedish customer Columbia Elektronik AB.

Wrap‑Up

After years of research and iteration, Onyx ESD is now widely available. We’re excited to see the new possibilities it opens for ESD‑sensitive manufacturing—and we invite you to explore how this material can accelerate your product development, reduce inventory, and cut lead times.