{"id":43049,"date":"2022-07-27T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-27T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/?p=43049"},"modified":"2022-10-14T14:20:07","modified_gmt":"2022-10-14T18:20:07","slug":"nylon-12-3d-printing-material-versatile-plastic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/nylon-12-3d-printing-material-versatile-plastic","title":{"rendered":"3D Printing Materials Spotlight: Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic]"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Shapeways offers over 90 different materials and finishes, but Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic]<\/a> tops the list in popularity. This 3D printing thermoplastic is derived from the family of Nylon 12 materials and other polyamides featuring a long history in traditional manufacturing too. Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic] and PA12 material continue to trend upward for use in additive manufacturing, whether designers and engineers are engaged in making high-quality rapid prototypes<\/a> or high-performance parts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic] \u2013 A 3D Printing Standard<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Choosing the correct 3D printing material can be the most challenging part of the design and production process. Recommended for a wide range of industrial applications even when comparing Nylon 11 vs. Nylon 12, the overall appeal of Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic] wins due to high tensile strength, durability for long-term use, and resistance to abrasion, fatigue, and stress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Natural matte finish with a slightly rough surface is available, along with a Processed finish which creates a smoother 3D printed surface. More sophisticated finishes for Nylon 12 3D printing are available as follows too:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shapeways <\/strong>Premium Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Premium Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic], Shapeways employs a multi-step tumbling, polishing, and dyeing process to create a consistent color and surface finish, while removing the grainy feel and layered look of other 3D printed parts. This finish offers an upscale look, elevating designs with a smoother and glossier surface, resulting in a softer texture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just saying Premium is smoother can be too vague, so Shapeways performed surface roughness tests. A surface roughness tester quantifies the texture of a surface by measuring the distance between the peaks and values. The larger the distance and the higher the value, the rougher the surface is. Small values indicate a smoother surface. Surface roughness is measured by its Ra<\/em> value. Ra<\/em> is the average of these distances between the peaks and values on the surface to its \u2018mean line.\u2019 You can think of the mean line as the center line between the peaks and values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Looking at the values in the table above, the Ra<\/em> of Shapeways Nylon 12 Premium [Versatile Plastic] measured around 5 micrometers whereas regular Versatile Plastic 3D printing measured around 10 micrometers. This means that the Premium 3D printing finish is about twice as smooth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shapeways Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic] Smooth <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This finish has a smooth surface and slight shine, created using a physio-chemical process to vapor smooth the surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accompanied by new choices with Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic] Smooth, Shapeways customers can design for even more complex structures\u2014whether in product development or for end-use parts. Shapeways achieves this unique Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic] Smooth finish with vapor smoothing techniques. With this post-processing method, rough surfaces that may be present after SLS 3D printing<\/a> can be treated effectively. Chemical solvents are applied to the 3D printed parts, which are then placed in a sealed chamber filled with vapor for smoothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Selective Laser Sintering 3D Printing Technology<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Aptly named, versatility for this 3D printing nylon is primarily due to the combination of Selective Laser Sintering<\/a> 3D printing and the high ductility associated with Nylon 12 3D printing. SLS technology is one of the oldest and most respected forms of 3D printing, and it remains one of the most powerful. The average build size of an SLS 3D printer is around 300 x 300 x 300 mm with a layer thickness of 100 to 120 microns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a need for supports, expanded design freedom in SLS is a huge advantage. This eliminates the need to make intricate structures for stability during the 3D printing process, making it possible to pack hundreds or even thousands of parts into one build via nesting<\/a>, and decreasing the potential for damage in post-processing. Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic] makes it even easier to take advantage of expanded design freedom with ductility necessary for flexibility in thinner parts and rigidity in thicker structures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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