Formlabs Launches Nylon 11 Powder, A Strong, Ductile SLS Material for the Fuse 1

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Formlabs just announced a new material now available for the Fuse 1 3D printer.

Nylon 11 Powder creates precise, strong prototypes. Examples include parts with thin curved surfaces, interior joints for machines, and devices that need to come under bending forces for validation.

Functional prototypes of snaps, clips, hinges, and thin walled ducts printed in Nylon 11 can withstand repeated use, including drops and impacts plus bending. If you’re looking to create prototypes that can withstand daily wear and tear, this could be the right material for you.

Nylon 12 enables a broad range of applications and is a versatile general use powder for SLS 3D printing. Nylon 11 helps fill the gap for prototyping and end-use applications that require higher ductility, impact-resistance, and the ability to withstand wear and tear without brittle failure. The Fuse 1 is one of the only SLS 3D printers on the market that can print Nylon 11 without the need for a nitrogen purge, reducing the need for strict site requirements and training to print in this material.

Here’s a comparison of the mechanical properties of Nylon 11 Powder and Nylon 12 Powder:

  • NYLON 11 POWDER

  • NYLON 12 POWDER

  • Ultimate Tensile Strength

    Tensile Modulus

    Elongation at Break (X/Y)

    Notched IZOD

  • 49 MPa

    1573 MPa

    40 %

    71 J/m

  • 50 MPa

    1850 MPa

    11 %

    32 J/m

So what’s the difference between Nylon 12 and Nylon 11?

  • Nylon 11

    Ductile, strong, flexible material for when durability and performance are key.
    • Impact-resistant prototypes, jigs, and fixtures
    • Thin-walled ducts and enclosures
    • Snaps, clips, and hinges
    • Orthotics and prosthetics*

  • Nylon 12

    General purpose, versatile material with high detail and great dimensional accuracy.
    • High performance prototyping
    • Small batch manufacturing
    • Permanent jigs, fixtures, and tooling
    • General SLS parts

* Material properties may vary based on part design and manufacturing practices. It is the manufacturer’s responsibility to validate the suitability of the printed parts for the intended use.

Formlabs currently recommends a refresh rate of 50% for Nylon 11, compared to 30% for Nylon 12. Refresh rate refers to the ability of an SLS 3D printer to print with a mix of new and recycled powder. The powder refresh rate is the minimum ratio of fresh powder required to print. For Nylon 11 prints, you’ll be able to print with 50% recycled powder. For the highest performance, you may want to use all fresh or a higher percent of fresh powder for the best material properties.

Note: Most SLS printers require a long, messy process to change materials. The Fuse 1 and Fuse Sift are somewhat simpler, but it still takes several hours to change materials. If you want to print multiple materials consistently, consider buying one Fuse 1 and one Fuse Sift per material. Read more in our support article on how to switch Fuse 1 materials.

Want to know more? Contact us for pricing information or to request a sample part.

About the Author

Christine Archer

Christine joined Amtek Company as Marketing Manager in October 2014. She is responsible for planning, developing and executing all marketing and branding strategies, including corporate messaging development, lead generation, market research, web design, graphic design, ad development, budgeting, and media buying, among other responsibilities.