3D Printing Materials

Nylon

At a glance

Nylon 12

Processes

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)

Production Time

3 days (rush) 5 days (standard)
3 days (rush), ≥5 days (standard)

Colors

White, Black
Grey, Black

Resolution

0.1 mm
0.08mm

Infill

100% (solid)

Applications

Functional prototypes, mechanical applications
Prototyping, Bridge-level Production

Nylon 12 Glass-Filled

Process

SLS

Colors

White

Resolution

0.1 mm

Applications

Housings and enclosures, Consumer sporting goods, Complex prototype plastic parts, Form, fit, or functional prototypes

About the Material

High stiffness, wear resistance, elevated temperature resistant

Nylon 11

Process

MJF

Colors

Grey

Resolution

0.08 mm

Applications

Impact-resistant prototypes, jigs, and fixtures. Thin-walled ducts and enclosures. Snaps, clips, and hinges. Nylon 11 Powder offers high robustness for impact-resistant, rugged prototyping or end-use parts.

About the Material

Ductile, strong and flexible material for when durability and performance are key

About the Material

Nylon 12

Nylon 12 is a synthetic 3D printed polymer material that’s strong, durable and also has some flex to it. As a result, Nylon is a great material choice for snap fits, brackets, clips, and spring features. Nylon is also used for its thermal applications and can withstand temperatures up to 177℃.

Nylon 12 parts are susceptible to shrinkage, due to the laser sintering mechanism and the cooling process. For large, thin parts, warping is highly likely, so we strongly recommend increasing thickness or adding ribbing in the design to mitigate risk.

Fictiv offers Nylon 12 produced through Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and also Multi Jet Fusion (MJF). As a result, a finished product from either of these technologies will have slightly different properties and risks. MJF machines deposit a detailing agent along the exterior of a part that, after media blasting, results in a less coarse surface finish compared with the SLS process. MJF parts also come off the bed grey, whereas SLS Nylon parts are white. Both can be dyed black afterwards.

MJF has a slightly better resolution compared with SLS, with a layer height at 0.08 mm compared with 0.1 mm for SLS. If you’re prototyping smaller quantities under around 25 units, SLS is generally more cost-effective. At higher bridge production quantities, MJF becomes more cost effective because of the machine’s modular design and faster production speed.

As for mechanical properties, MJF Nylon has a higher flexural strength than SLS Nylon. Therefore, MJF Nylon is typically considered more often for end-use parts and functional testing under higher loads.

SLS Glass-Filled Nylon 12 is a high-performance material designed for creating strong and durable parts. The mixture of nylon 12 and fine glass fibers provides a unique combination of strength, stiffness, and chemical resistance. It has an elevated temperature resistance, making it suitable for a variety of applications, including automotive, aerospace, and medical. The material is also resistant to abrasion, fatigue, and corrosion.

Due to its high impact-resistance and ductile strength, Nylon 11 is best suited for impact-resistant prototypes, jigs, and fixtures. Nylon 11 can also be used for thin-walled ducts and enclosures. The ductile properties make it exceptional for features that must move without breaking, including snaps, clips, and hinges.

Nylon 12 Glass-Filled

SLS Glass-Filled Nylon 12 is a high-performance material designed for creating strong and durable parts. The mixture of nylon 12 and fine glass fibers provides a unique combination of strength, stiffness, and chemical resistance. It has an elevated temperature resistance, making it suitable for a variety of applications, including automotive, aerospace, and medical. The material is also resistant to abrasion, fatigue, and corrosion.

Nylon 11

Due to its high impact-resistance and ductile strength, Nylon 11 is best suited for impact-resistant prototypes, jigs, and fixtures. Nylon 11 can also be used for thin-walled ducts and enclosures. The ductile properties make it exceptional for features that must move without breaking, including snaps, clips, and hinges.

Material Properties

Nylon 12

Process

SLS
MJF

Tensile Strength

48 MPa (6962 PSI)
48 MPa (6962 PSI)

Elongation at Break

20%
20%

Modulus of Elasticity

1500 MPa (217000 PSI)
1935 MPa (280648 PSI)

Flexural Strength

58 MPa (8412 PSI)
65 MPa (9428 PSI)

Nylon 12 Glass-Filled

Process

SLS

Ultimate Tensile Strength

Metric: 36 MPa
Imperial: 5200 PSI

Elongation at Break

2%

Modulus of Elasticity

Metric: 3200 MPa
Imperial: 464120 PSI

Flexural Strength

Metric: 61 MPa
Imperial: 8840 PSI

Highest Operating Temperature (C)

Metric: 179C
Imperial: 354F

Nylon 11

Process

MJF

Ultimate Tensile Strength

Metric: 52 MPa
Imperial: 7542 PSI

Elongation at Break

25%

Modulus of Elasticity

Metric: 1700 MPa
Imperial: 246560 PSI

Flexural Strength

Metric: 70 MPa
Imperial: 10150 PSI

Highest Operating Temperature (C)

Metric: 70C
Imperial: 158F

Why Use This Material

Nylon 12

The texture of SLS Nylon is similar to a very fine grit sandpaper with a matte finish. MJF Nylon parts are generally slightly smoother. Un-dyed MJF Nylon is grey, which may vary in shades across the same part of a surface. When dyed black, both SLS and MJF Nylon have a matte appearance.

Nylon 12 Glass-Filled

Nylon 12 Glass-Filled material is a good choice for a variety of components in the aerospace, automotive and medical industries due to its high wear, fatigue and abrasion resistance, as well as it’s ability to resist corrosion. Common applications include: housings and enclosures, consumer sporting goods, complex prototype plastic parts, and form, fit, or functional prototypes

Nylon 11

Nylon 11 is perfect for 3d printed enclosures and assemblies. Its ductile properties make it resistant to snapping with designing and building clips, hinges, and other mating features. Nylon 11 is also strong, allowing it to be used for tooling, jigs, and fixtures where the build may encounter impact forces.

Design Recommendations

Process

SLS
MJF

Min Wall Thickness

1.0 mm for production
1.5 mm for consistency (for measurement and mechanical applications)
1.0 mm for production
1.5 mm for consistency (for measurement and mechanical applications)

Min Clearance + Gaps for Fit

0.5 mm clearance between features
0.2 mm clearance between features, we recommend 0.3 mm to ensure good fit

Max Part Size [x, y, z]

700 x 380 x 580 mm
380 x 284 x 380 mm

Internal Cavities

Be sure to have a clearance to remove the support powder!

Threads & Inserts

Minimum 0.1 mm clearance is required for printed threads.

Text Guidelines

Raised features: 0.6 mm minimum
Recessed features: 0.5 mm minimum

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