SLS Materials
Nylon 12 & 11 Materials
We stock two core materials: PA2201 Standard Nylon 12 and PAG15-G5 Glass Filled Nylon 12. These materials are suitable for various applications and ensure quick turnaround times for most projects. Additionally, for more creative endeavors, we can print using eight other specialized non-stock materials that meet nearly any project requirement.
SLS Nylon Comparison
SLS Nylon 11
- Lightweight
- High impact resistance
- High-pressure resistance
- More ductile than nylon 12
- Excellent mechanical properties
SLS Nylon 12
- Economical
- Lightweight
- Rugged & durable
- UV-resistant
- Excellent chemical resistance
- Exceptional mechanical properties
- PA2201 is FDA certified food safe
SLS Nylon 11 & 12 — What's the difference?
Both materials are polyamides (nylon).
Nylon 11
Nylon 11, is a bio-based polymer derived from castor oil, it offers greater flexibility, impact resistance, and chemical resistance than Nylon 12.
Nylon 12
Nylon 12, is synthesized from petrochemicals and boasts higher heat resistance, dimensional stability, and resistance to stress cracking.
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) Materials
Engineered for strength and precision, our SLS materials deliver the perfect balance of flexibility, durability, and detail—ready to bring your toughest designs to life.
- Color: White – develops a patina with air exposure, that does not affect its mechanical properties
- Ideal for most applications
- Used for fuel and liquid storage
- Exceptional chemical, fuel, and UV-resistant
- FDA certified (21 CFR §177.15009(b)) food safe, except for alcohol
- Melting point around 325°F
- No porosity with wall thicknesses ›1.5 mm (0.060")
- Can be tumbled, dyed, painted, glued, drilled, tapped, and machined
- Color: Eggshell – slightly creamy white
- Strong and durable
- Excellent dimensional stability
- Popular for tooling applications
- Produces a very heavy part as compared to all the other materials
- Contains a 50% fill of glass beads
- Color: Bright White – with a Titanium Dioxide Whitener
- Durable and rugged
- Chemical resistant
- Economical
- Melting point around 325°F
- USP Class VI certified for biocompatibility (non-toxic to human cells)
- Highly workable for secondary operations
- Can be tumbled, dyed, painted, glued, drilled, tapped, and machined
- Color: Gray/Black
- High tensile strength
- Suited for applications where a high heat tolerance, strength, and resistance to wear are of paramount importance
- Superior stiffness factor compared to High Performance Nylon 12
- Extreme smoothness when processed with our secondary finishing operations
- Color: Off-white
- Strong and durable — lighter when compared to glass-filled materials
- Good dimensional stability without the brittleness of carbon fiber
- Greater mechanical stability than unfilled materials
- Color: White
- Mechanical properties are similar to standard Nylon 12
- For applications where FAR certification is required (meets FAR 25.853 60 second burn specification)
- Suitable for interiors of aircraft, automotive, and other commercial transportation
- Excellent for laboratory ventilation and air handling
- Parts will exhibit a smooth surface finish and sharp feature detail
- Color: Metallic silver appearance
- High stiffness
- Superior dimensional accuracy
- Good thermal conductivity
- Aluminum powder creates a product that is somewhat brittle – not recommended for structural applications
- Easy post processing via machining, grinding, and milling
- Secondary polishing processes provides a surface with a metallic-looking finish
- WARNING! This product should not be used in any application where contact with foodstuffs would be possible
- Color: Dark Grey
- Carbon fiber increases the dimensional stability
- Hollow glass beads add increased durability
- Very lightweight
- Developed for the UAV industry
- Color: Black
- For applications that require slightly higher tensile strength at break, along with a higher elongation factor
- All-weather performance, it excels in extreme climates
- High-impact and high-pressure resistance at sub-zero temperatures
- Low coefficient of friction
- Not bio-compatible
- Color: Dark Grey
- Carbon adds dimensional stability
- Hollow glass beads Increase durability over unfilled Nylon 11
- Additional flexibility with Nylon 11-based material
- Very light compared to other materials
- Electrically conductive, due to carbon content
- Specifically developed for the UAV industry
For details specific to your project, it’s best to call us at +1 503 434-8557 or request a quote.
NW Rapid Materials List (PDF).