Nylon (PA) 3D Printing Service

3D-printed nylon offers durability, heat resistance, and good long-term wear resistance

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Our Nylon Capacities for 3D Printing

We offer multiple grades of nylons through our selective laser sintering (SLS) and Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) 3D printing processes. These powdered thermoplastic materials build durable parts with mechanical properties suitable for functional prototyping and end-use.

  • PA 12 White
  • PA 12 40% Glass-Filled White
  • PA 11 Black
  • PA 12 Black
  • PA 12 Glass Beads Black
  • PA 12 Carbon-Filled Black

Find the Best Nylon for Your Part

Compare Nylon 3D Printing Material Properties

Material Process Colour Tensile Strength Tensile Modulus Elongation More Details
PA 12 White SLS White 50 ± 4 MPa 2,000 MPa ± 200 MPa 11% ± 4% Data Sheet
PA 12 40% Glass-Filled White SLS White 42 ± 4 MPa 3600 ± 400 MPa 5 ± 2% Data Sheet
PA 11 Black MJF Black 52 ± 4 MPa 1,800 MPa ± 200 MPa 30 ± 5% Data Sheet
PA 12 Black MJF Black 49 ± 4 MPa 1900 ± 200 MPa 12 ± 4% Data Sheet
PA 12 Glass Beads Black MJF Black 30 MPa 2500 MPa 10% Data Sheet
PA 12 Carbon-Filled Black SLS Black 85 MPa ± 5 MPa 8,300 MPa ± 400 MPa 3.2% ± 2% Data Sheet

Key Takeaways

  • PA 12 White: General-purpose nylon with balanced mechanical properties, ideal for functional prototypes and general end-use applications.
  • PA 12 40% Glass-Filled White: Long term wear resistance, high stiffness, and high temperature resistance.
  • PA 11 Black: Known for high impact resistance and ductility, often used for parts needing durability and flexibility, especially in harsh environments.
  • PA 12 Black: Offers good mechanical properties similar to PA 12 White, with the added benefit of UV and weather resistance, making it ideal for outdoor applications.
  • PA 12 Glass Beads Black: Provides increased dimensional stability and improved surface finish due to the presence of glass beads, enhancing stiffness and reducing warpage.
  • PA 12 Carbon-Filled Black: Extreme stiffness, electrical conductivity, and excellent long-term stability.

Guidelines and Tips for Nylon 3D Printing

Feature
Recommendation
Notes
Wall thickness
SLS: minimum 0.762 mm*
MJF: minimum 0.508 mm
Material-specific minima: 0.75 mm for PA12 Smooth White; 0.8 mm for PA12 Carbon-Filled Smooth Black; 1.0 mm for PA12 Glass-Filled Smooth White.
Channel gaps
Minimum 0.762 mm for both SLS and MJF
Ensure gaps allow powder removal and proper feature formation.
Knife edging / inset distal features
Keep distal features ≥ 0.762 mm (SLS) and ≥ 0.508 mm (MJF)
If smaller, features may not form correctly and can be shortened or rounded. Consider counter-bore/inset design carefully.
Part warpage
Maintain uniform wall thickness; use filled materials if geometry is prone to warping
Heat from sintering/fusing can cause warpage. Glass-filled materials help reduce warping for challenging geometries.

Applications for 3D-Printed Nylon

The mechanical properties of 3D-printed nylon makes it a common material for the following applications:

  • Jigs and fixtures
  • Housings
  • Snap fits
  • Living hinges
  • Gears
  • Bearings