{"id":39641,"date":"2019-04-23T19:58:08","date_gmt":"2019-04-23T23:58:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/?p=39641"},"modified":"2022-08-08T17:03:07","modified_gmt":"2022-08-08T21:03:07","slug":"nylon-plastics-material-guide-pa11-pa12-pa12gb-sls-mjf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/nylon-plastics-material-guide-pa11-pa12-pa12gb-sls-mjf","title":{"rendered":"The Expert Guide to Nylon Plastics"},"content":{"rendered":"

3D printing materials like thermoplastics continue to trend upward for industrial projects, whether manufacturers are engaged in creating 3D printed architectural models for client presentations, functional automotive prototypes to test for form and fit, or high-performing end parts using additive manufacturing for aerospace applications.<\/span><\/p>\n

The history of nylon plastics is long, especially for traditional manufacturing. Polyamides like nylon offer a high melting point and are extremely popular because of their high ductility\u2013allowing manufacturers to engineer flexible parts for thinner structures, but more rigid pieces with thicker parts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Understanding Nylon 12 3D Printing Plastic<\/b><\/h3>\n

Nylon 12 serves as an exemplary model of a polyamide used for conventional methods like <\/span>Injection Molding<\/span><\/a>, but is also at the forefront of many applications for 3D printing plastic. <\/span>In the same family as other popular Nylon materials (notably Nylon 6, Nylon 6,6, and Nylon 11), Nylon 12 is revered due to its unique suite of properties and reinforced formulations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Popular for its mechanical properties, tensile strength, durability, abrasion resistance, biocompatibility, and overall suitability for making functional parts, Nylon 12 has a relatively low concentration of amides and relatively low moisture absorption. These qualities may make the material trickier for 3D printing plastic, but they also imbue Nylon 12 with desirable qualities like chemical and abrasion resistance, strength, and durability. Further, Nylon 12 offers a low coefficient of friction. All of these qualities create a versatile material favored for 3D printed prototypes and end-use, functional parts featuring gears or hinges.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Nylon12-Versatile-Plastic-SLS-Black-Twist-Light-Evan-Gant-Blog\"<\/h3>\n

3D Printing Nylon 12 with Selective Laser Sintering and PA12 Material with Multi Jet Fusion<\/b><\/h3>\n

Shapeways 3D prints materials like <\/span>Nylon 11 [PA11 (SLS)]<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic]<\/span><\/a> via <\/span>Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)<\/span><\/a>. Developed as one of the first 3D printing technologies, SLS is one of the most powerful rapid prototyping tools across all industries. Manufacturers rely on 3D printed nylon plastics for functional, end-use products in applications like <\/span>aerospace<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>drones<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>automotive<\/span><\/a>. Using intensive lasers that melt nylon powder fast and evenly, SLS technology is advantageous for industrial manufacturers seeking accurate, high-performing parts that are strong and isotropic. Users are not saddled with sacrificing mechanical properties, as SLS parts are excellent in both tensile strength and modulus.<\/span><\/p>\n

MJF is a 3D printing process developed from HP\u2019s long-standing expertise in inkjet technologies. Droplets of fusing and detailing agents are applied along with thermal energy on top of the powdered material to define the part\u2019s geometry. The precision of inkjet technology is such that builds can be controlled at the 3D voxel level. Shapeways uses MJF technology to 3D print the following PA 12 material: <\/span>Nylon 12 Full Color (MJF)<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Multi Jet Fusion PA12 (MFJ PA12)<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>Nylon 12 Glass Beads [MJF Plastic PA12GB]<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Both SLS 3D printing and MJF 3D printing offer clear advantages to any designer or engineer due to the expanded and outstanding freedom in design. This is accentuated by the ability to avoid the use of supports as surrounding and lingering powder bolsters 3D prints in p-ogress, streamlining the design process and eliminating myriad headaches. Both SLS and MJF 3D printing technologies allow for smart packing, resulting in hundreds or even thousands of parts \u2018nested\u2019 together in one build. Sustainability also plays an important role as the extra powder can be re-used in consequent builds. This is possible when reused materials are mixed at a minimum of 50\/50 with virgin 3D printing powder.<\/span><\/p>\n

Print time is relatively comparable for both processes as SLS and MJF technology can accommodate larger parts. The biggest differences lie in the precise mechanical properties of chosen 3D printing materials, finishing options, and desired timing. Find out more specifics of each <\/span>3D printing plastic<\/span> below:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"PA11-SLS-White-HandOrthosis-EOS-3Dprinting-Blog\"<\/h3>\n

Nylon 11 [PA11 (SLS)]\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Nylon 11 [PA11 (SLS)] is the most flexible 3D printing nylon material due to its high elongation at break. It has slightly higher strength than the other materials. This combination of high strength and good elongation at break makes Nylon 11 [PA11 (SLS)] the most impact-resistant of 3D printing plastic material available from Shapeways in nylon.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This material is biocompatible and known for its ductility, allowing for both durability and flexibility. Nylon 11 [PA11 (SLS)]<\/span> has higher temperature resistance and is based on renewable resources, making it more environmentally friendly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Typical 3D printing applications for Nylon 11 [PA11 (SLS)] include:<\/span><\/p>\n