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PA (Nylon) 3D Printing Service

Prototyping or production, our Nylon 3D printing offers precision, strength, and fast turnarounds for custom parts.

PA (Nylon) in 3D Printing

Nylon, or polyamide (PA), is a thermoplastic polymer renowned for its wear and impact resistance. It is compatible with 3D printing because it has an excellent flow characteristic when melted, ensuring smooth extrusion and consistent layer deposition.

Nylon has a melting point range of 250-260°C, suitable for many 3D printers with high-temperature nozzles. Its balanced viscosity allows for precise printing of intricate details and complex geometries. Also, it provides excellent interlayer bonding, resulting in strong, cohesive prints.

Another factor that will affect 3D printing with nylon is the material grade. Hence, RapidDirect PA (Nylon) 3D printing service uses Nylon 6, 12, and glass-filled nylon due to their excellent properties.

Nylon 6 has good elasticity and abrasion resistance with a melting point of 220°C. Nylon 12 has a lower melting point of around 178-180°C, excellent chemical resistance, low water absorption, good dimensional stability, and is more flexible than Nylon 6.

Lastly, Glass-filled Nylon is a nylon polymer reinforced with glass fibers. Therefore, it is stronger, stiffer, and more dimensionally stable. 3D printing of the three types of nylon polymer is possible using selective laser sintering and fused deposition modeling technologies.

Price:	$$
Available Nylon at RapidDirect:	Nylon 6, Nylon 12, Glass-filled Nylon
Lead Time:	< 5 days
Wall Thickness:	0.6 mm
Tolerances:	ISO2768-C
Max Part Size:	300 mm x 300 mm x 300 mm

Plastic PA(Nylon) Properties

Properties	Value
Density	1.14 g/cm³ (Nylon 6)
Tensile Strength (Yield)	45 to 80 MPa (Nylon 6)
Flexural Modulus	75 to 140 MPa (Nylon 6)
Impact Strength	Moderate to high
Thermal Conductivity	0.25 W/(m·K)
Melting Point	220°C (Nylon 6)
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion	80-100 x 10^-6 /°C
Moisture Absorption	High
Chemical Resistance	Good against hydrocarbons, alcohols, solvents
UV Resistance	Poor without additives

Pros and Cons of PA (Nylon) 3D Printing

Nylon plastic offers many benefits that make it suitable for 3D printing processes. However, there are some of its downsides to consider before choosing it for any project.

Pros

High mechanical strength and durability.
Excellent wear and impact resistance.
Good chemical resistance.
Suitable for producing functional prototypes and end-use parts.

Cons

High moisture absorption, which can affect dimensional stability.
Requires drying before printing.
Poor UV resistance without additives.
Potential for warping if not printed under optimal conditions.

Applications of 3D Printed Nylon Parts

3D printed nylon parts are widely used across various industries, including:

Automotive: Gears and bearings
Consumer Goods: Housing and enclosures
Electronics: Electronic enclosures
Medical Devices: Prosthetics

FAQs

Can I 3D print nylon?

Nylon 3D printing technologies include Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). However, 3D printing nylon parts requires precise control of printing parameters and conditions. Furthermore, the material’s high moisture absorption rate necessitates proper drying before use to prevent defects and ensure optimal print quality. With the right setup, nylon 3D printing can yield high-quality, durable parts for various applications.

Is nylon isotropic or anisotropic?

Nylon is anisotropic when 3D printed, meaning its mechanical properties vary depending on the direction of the printed layers. This anisotropy occurs because the bonding between layers in the 3D printed nylon parts is weaker than the material within each layer. As a result, the parts exhibit different strengths and flexibilities along different axes.

How long does it take for nylon filament to dry?

The drying time for nylon filament typically ranges from 4 to 6 hours at a temperature of 70-80°C (158-176°F). Proper drying removes the absorbed moisture, which can otherwise cause printing defects like bubbles, poor layer adhesion, and reduced mechanical properties. Some 3D printing enthusiasts use dedicated filament dryers or convection ovens to ensure consistent and thorough drying.