Nylon 3D Printing Service
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About 3D Printing Nylon
3D printed nylon comes in many different forms, namely as a filament for FDM (fused deposition modeling) or as a powder for SLS (selective laser sintering) and MJF (HP Multi Jet Fusion) printing. 3D printing nylon creates parts with excellent properties but it’s important to understand that the type of 3D printing process will determine the final part capabilities. For example, FDM prints will have an anisotropic structure caused by the extruded layer lines. Even SLS-printed parts will have a level of anisotropy between layers. MJF parts tend to have isotropic properties, meaning the material will behave the same regardless of the direction of the load. However, with correct setups and part orientation, anisotropic effects can largely be negated and parts can benefit from the excellent properties of nylon.
Nylon is a high-performance engineering thermoplastic found in a wide range of industries. Its popular usage stems from its excellent abrasion resistance, high fatigue resistance, and high load-bearing capacity. Due to these properties, 3D printing in nylon is a great way to make lightweight industrial and medical implements that are just as capable as heavier metal ones.
| Applications | Advantages | Disadvantages | Comparitive Cost | Layer Height | Build Envelope |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Applications
| Advantages
| Disadvantages
| Comparitive Cost $-$$ (Low-Medium) | Layer Height MJF: 0.0031" 0.0047" 0.007" - 0.013" | Build Envelope MJF: 15 x 11 x 15" 26" x 15" x 23" 24” x 36” x 36” |
Information based upon US-based services.
Nylon 6 CF (FDM)
Nylon 6 CF is a generic nylon 6 that has been reinforced with carbon fiber chop. The carbon fiber filler significantly increases the stiffness and strength of the material. Nylon 6 CF also has exceptional heat resistance and impact resistance, making it an excellent choice for printing light-weight fixtures, clamps, and structural components.
Nylon 6 CF (FDM) Properties
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | Elongation at Break (XY, ZX %) | Hardness (Shore D) | Heat Deflection Temperature (℃) @ 66psi | Impact Strength, notched (XY kJ/m²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tensile Strength (MPa) 48-102 | Elongation at Break (XY, ZX %) 5.8, 3.7 | Hardness (Shore D) N/A | Heat Deflection Temperature (℃) @ 66psi 186 | Impact Strength, notched (XY kJ/m²) 13.4 |
Due to a broad material and equipment allowance, material properties and appearance may vary slightly, and data is for reference only.
Nylon 11 (MJF,SLS)
Nylon 11 and Nylon 11 EX for MJF and SLS-printed parts exhibit good mechanical properties, along with excellent chemical resistance and low moisture absorption rates. It is resilient and can deform to a much larger extent than other nylons, making it ideal for snap-fit components. The properties of each Nylon 11 we offer are listed below.
Nylon 11 (MJF) Properties
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | Elongation at Break (XY, ZX %) | Hardness (Shore D) | Heat Deflection Temperature (℃) @ 66psi | Impact Strength, notched (XY, ZX kJ/m²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tensile Strength (MPa) 52 | Elongation at Break (XY, ZX %) 55, 40 | Hardness (Shore D) 80 | Heat Deflection Temperature (℃) @ 66psi 185 | Impact Strength, notched (XY, ZX kJ/m²) 6,5 |
Properties apply to US-based production. See our MJF page for full data sheets.
Nylon 11 EX (SLS) Properties
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Shore D) | Heat Deflection Temperature (℃) @ 66psi | Impact Strength, Notched (kJ/m²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tensile Strength (MPa) 45 | Elongation at Break (%) 45 | Hardness (Shore D) 77 | Heat Deflection Temperature (℃) @ 66psi 188 | Impact Strength, Notched (kJ/m²) No Break |
Properties apply to US-based production. See our SLS page for full data sheets.
Nylon 12 (MJF,SLS,FDM)
Nylon 12 exhibits good dimensional stability and retains its mechanical properties over an extended period. It is also highly resistant to shocks and fatigue, making it ideal for demanding applications that undergo multiple load/unload cycles or experience significant vibration. MJF and SLS printed parts from this material can be watertight, making them ideal for electronic housings that need to prevent moisture ingress. Note that the material properties of FDM Nylon 12 and SLS Nylon 12 are anisotropic, unlike MJF nylon 12, which exhibits more isotropic properties. Each standard nylon 12 we offer has its properties listed in the tables below, separated by printing process.
Nylon 12 Properties (MJF)
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Shore D) | Heat Deflection Temperature (℃) @ 66psi | Impact Strength, Notched (kJ/m²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tensile Strength (MPa) 48 | Elongation at Break (%) 15-20 | Hardness (Shore D) 80 | Heat Deflection Temperature (℃) @ 66psi 175 | Impact Strength, Notched (kJ/m²) 3.5 |
Properties apply to US-based production. Properties apply to US-based production. See our MJF page for full data sheets.
Nylon 12 Properties (SLS)
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Shore D) | Heat Deflection Temperature (℃) @ 66psi | Impact Strength, Notched (kJ/m²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tensile Strength (MPa) 42-48 | Elongation at Break (%) 4-18 | Hardness (Shore D) 75 | Heat Deflection Temperature (℃) @ 66psi 145-157 | Impact Strength, Notched (kJ/m²) 4.8 |
Properties apply to US-based production. See our SLS page for full data sheets.
Nylon 12 Properties (FDM)
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Shore D) | Heat Deflection Temperature (℃) @ 66psi | Impact Strength, Notched per ASTM D256 (J/m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tensile Strength (MPa) 41.8-49.3 | Elongation at Break (%) 6.5-30 | Hardness (Shore D) N/A | Heat Deflection Temperature (℃) @ 66psi 91.9-94.7 | Impact Strength, Notched per ASTM D256 (J/m) 71-138 |
Properties achieved by running OEM materials and parameters on OEM Fortus equipment. See our FDM page for complete data sheets.
Nylon 12 Glass Filled (MJF, SLS)
The grade of nylon 12 has glass beads included as a filler material. This increases the material’s overall stiffness and hardness and reduces its tendency to warp during printing. Its stiff nature makes it ideal for fixtures and tooling. SLS nylon 12 GF has a higher tensile strength than MJF nylon glass-filled, but it will not deform much before breaking. It is also highly resistant to chemical reactions.
Nylon 12 GF Properties (MJF)
| Tensile Strength, Yield (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Shore D) | Heat Deflection Temperature (℃) @ 66psi | Impact Strength, Notched (kJ/m²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tensile Strength, Yield (MPa) 30 | Elongation at Break (%) 10 | Hardness (Shore D) 82 | Heat Deflection Temperature (℃) @ 66psi 174 | Impact Strength, Notched (kJ/m²) 3 |
Properties apply to US-based production. See our MJF page for full data sheets.
Nylon 12 GF Properties (SLS)
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Shore D) | Heat Deflection Temperature (℃) | Impact Strength, Notched (kJ/m²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tensile Strength (MPa) 47-51 | Elongation at Break (%) 9 | Hardness (Shore D) 80 | Heat Deflection Temperature (℃) 157 | Impact Strength, Notched (kJ/m²) 5.4 |
Properties apply to US-based production. See our SLS page for full data sheets.
SLS Nylon 12 AF (PA 605-A)
This nylon for SLS printing has the unique property of being aluminum-filled and thus creates parts with a surface finish similar to cast aluminum, also gaining much of the metal’s excellent thermal conductivity. This makes it ideal for tooling, fixtures, or automotive components that get exposed to elevated temperatures.
SLS Nylon 12 AF Properties
| Tensile Strength, Yield (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Shore D) | Heat Deflection Temperature (℃) | Izod Impact Strength, Notched (J/m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tensile Strength, Yield (MPa) 37-43 | Elongation at Break (%) 3 | Hardness (Shore D) 76D | Heat Deflection Temperature (℃) 180 | Izod Impact Strength, Notched (J/m) 58.7 |
SLS Nylon 12 CF (PA 602-CF)
This nylon for SLS printing uses carbon as its filler material. This has the benefit of stiffening the material and reducing overall part weight while also being highly resistant to warping at high temperatures. This makes it ideal for applications that demand low weight like sports equipment or racing components.
SLS Nylon 12 CF (PA 602-CF) Properties
| Ultimate Tensile Strength (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Shore D) | Heat Deflection Temperature (℃) | Izod Impact Strength, Notched (J/m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ultimate Tensile Strength (MPa) 66 | Elongation at Break (%) 5 | Hardness (Shore D) N/A | Heat Deflection Temperature (℃) 175 | Izod Impact Strength, Notched (J/m) 54 |
SLS Nylon 12 HST (PA 620-MF) Properties
| Ultimate Tensile Strength (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Shore D) | Heat Deflection Temperature (℃) | Izod Impact Strength, Notched (J/m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ultimate Tensile Strength (MPa) 51 | Elongation at Break (%) 3-5 | Hardness (Shore D) N/A | Heat Deflection Temperature (℃) 184 | Izod Impact Strength, Notched (J/m) N/A |
SLS Nylon 12 FR (PA 606-FR) Properties
| Ultimate Tensile Strength (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Shore D) | Heat Deflection Temperature (℃) | Izod Impact Strength, Notched (J/m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ultimate Tensile Strength (MPa) 48 | Elongation at Break (%) 24 | Hardness (Shore D) 73 | Heat Deflection Temperature (℃) 180 | Izod Impact Strength, Notched (J/m) 32 |
Cost-saving Design Tips
DFM: Each type of 3D printing technology requires special considerations during the design phase. For example, with FDM parts you should be mindful of support structures and consider the layer orientation that will generate maximum strength. SLS and MJF parts need drain holes to remove unused powder from internal cavities and should not have overly thick walls. Design-for-manufacturability (DFM) principles need to be applied from the start.
Choose the right plastic and process: Each of the above plastics and machine combinations is better suited to certain applications. If the goal is to produce a temporary tooling jig then FDM may be the best option. However, if a visual prototype is required, then SLS or MJF may better suit your needs.
Finishes
Xometry offers a wide range of surface finishes for nylon 3D prints, some of which are listed below. Visit our finishes page to learn about our other finishing options.
Standard: Available for all technologies and materials. Printing supports are removed from the part, but no additional work is done to the finish. Note that SLS and MJF parts have much better off-the-machine finishes than FDM and do not require the removal of support structures.
Color Dyeing: Parts are submerged in a dye solution that penetrates roughly ~0.010” into the surface, altering the surface’s color. Coloration may vary slightly from batch to batch. Available for SLS and MJF nylon parts.
Vapor Smoothing: Vapor smoothing creates a uniform, sealed surface with a semi-gloss appearance. It can be combined with our color dyeing option. Available for SLS and MJF nylon 12 parts.
Nickel plating: This surface treatment is not for cosmetic applications, as it creates a rough nickel finish. However, it adds additional durability, stiffness, and wear resistance. This finish is only available for SLS nylon parts.
Nylon 11 EX (SLS).
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