Which 3D Print Nylon is Right for You: PA12 or PA11

What is PA12?

PA12, also known as Polyamide 12, is a type of nylon filament that is great for 3D printing functional parts. This nylon is stronger and stiffer than other materials like ABS, so it is often used to create functional prototypes, medical equipment, and tools. Since PA12 nylon is a harder material, it is also a good choice for printing parts that need to withstand high temperatures, but it is not a good idea to use this material for low temperature applications.

 Because PA12 nylon is a stiffer filament, it is also a great choice for parts that need to be very precise and accurate prints. PA12 can be found in many commercial applications that require strength and durability such as sports equipment, dentistry, and bicycles. Materials Needed: The main materials that need to be considered when printing with PA12 are the 3D printer, the 3D printing software, and the filament used for the print.

With this material design for high accuracy printing, a relatively good hot end can be equipped to cut better 3d objects so that you do not need to remove any supports for this type of nylon rather will save time and remove only support needed.

What is PA11?

PA11, also known as Polyamide 11, is a type of nylon filament that is commonly used in 3D printing. This material is softer and easier to work with than PA12, so it is great for parts that need to be flexible or need to withstand high temperatures.

PA11 nylon is also a great choice for parts where accuracy is less of a concern, like printed grips or grips for sporting equipment.

This nylon has a lower melting point than PA12, so it is important to keep this in mind when printing with it.

Key Differences Between PA12 and PA11 Nylon

PA12 nylon is a stiffer and stronger material than PA11 nylon.



 This fact alone makes PA12 a better choice for functional prototypes, medical equipment, and tools.

 PA12 nylon also has a higher melting point than PA11, so it can be used for applications that require high temperatures.

While PA11 nylon is softer, it is also more flexible than PA12 nylon, making it the better choice for printed grips and sporting equipment.

 Finally, PA11 nylon has a lower melting point than PA12 nylon, so care must be taken when printing with it to avoid over-extruding and getting a blob instead of a cylinder.

 PA12 and PA11 nylons also come in different colors, which is something to keep in mind if aesthetics are important to you. It is important to keep in mind that the choice between PA12 and PA11 nylons has very little to do with the type of printer you want to use it with. While PLA filaments need only be heated, they can both be printed using lasers, inkjet printers, or fused deposition modeling (FDM) machines.

As long as you are careful not to include any unsupported bridges when printing, these materials are space-efficient and binding materials don't have to be applied during printing.

. Lastly, there is a fair bit of misinformation out there about PA12 and PA11 nylons—specifically their properties, uses, and which one is better.

So let’s take a look at some of the myths about these materials and how to avoid falling for them.

Pros of Using PA12 Nylon Filament

- Stronger material - As we’ve already discussed, PA12 is a stiffer material than PA11. This makes it a great choice for functional prototypes, medical equipment, and tools.

- Higher melting point - If you’re printing items that need to be exposed to high temperatures or be used in high-temperature environments, PA12 nylon is the better choice.

 - Higher strength - PA12 nylon has a higher strength than PA11 nylon.

This is often important for functional prototypes, medical equipment, and tools.

Pros of Using PA11 Nylon Filament

- Lower melting point - If you’re printing items where accuracy is less of a concern, PA11 nylon is a better choice. This lower melting point makes it easier to print with less chance of over-extruding.

 - Softness - If you’re printing parts that need to be flexible, PA11 nylon is a better choice.

- Lower cost - PA11 nylon is a less expensive material than PA12 nylon.

 This makes it a better choice for hobbyists or those just starting out with 3D printing.

Cons of Using PA12 Nylon Filament

- High temperature applications - While PA12 nylon has a higher melting point than PA11, it is still lower than many other 3D printing materials. This makes it a poor choice for high temperature applications.

 - Accuracy - While PA12 nylon is a stronger material, its stiffness makes it more difficult to print with less accuracy.

 - Cost - While PA12 nylon is less expensive than PA11 nylon, it is still a more expensive material.

Cons of Using PA11 Nylon Filament

- Flexibility - While PA11 nylon is a better choice for parts that need to be flexible, it also has a lower strength than PA12 nylon. This means that parts printed with PA11 nylon may not be as durable or last as long as those printed with PA12 nylon.

 - Accuracy - While PA11 nylon is easier to use for applications that don’t need accuracy, it also has a lower strength than PA12 nylon. This means that parts printed with PA11 nylon may not be as durable or last as long as those printed with PA12 nylon.

- High temperature applications

 - While PA11 nylon has a lower melting point than PA12 nylon, it is still lower than many other 3D printing materials. This makes it a poor choice for high temperature applications.

Which of these materials is more durable?

While both of these materials have a high strength, PA12 nylon is stronger than PA11 nylon. This means that parts printed with PA12 nylon will be more durable and last longer than those printed with PA11 nylon.

This is why we recommend PA12 nylon over PA11 nylon.

That being said, both of these nylon materials are great choices for functional prototypes, and both are fairly durable.

Which material offers better resolution and accuracy?

Both PA12 and PA11 nylon filaments can create parts with the same accuracy and resolution, but there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing which to use. As we mentioned,

PA11 nylon has a lower melting point than PA12 nylon, so it is easier to print with and less likely to cause problems.

On the other hand, PA12 nylon has a higher melting point than PA11, so it is less likely to cause issues.

So while both materials can achieve the same level of resolution, there are some key differences to keep in mind.

Finally, we want to make sure to remind you that no matter which type of nylon filament you choose, you need to make sure that your printer can handle it.

 Check the recommended materials guide for your printer to make sure that it can handle printing with nylon.

Which material is easier to print with?

Again, there are some key differences between PA12 and PA11 nylon filaments that make one easier to print with than the other.

PA12 nylon has a higher melting point than PA11 nylon, so it is easier to print with.

This means that it has a less tendency to warp, making it easier to print with than PA11.

Which material is more durable?

The differences between PA12 and PA11 nylon filaments do not stop at ease of printing. They also extend to the durability of the 3D printed parts.

Because PA12 nylon has a higher melting point, it is a bit more difficult for flames to melt and destroy the parts printed with this material than those printed with PA11 nylon.

 In fact, part of the durability depends on another property of nylon, its resistance against tough chemical reactions as well as impact strength.

This makes using boards that have been 3D printed even in areas where chemical reactions are stronger and heat is more easily transferred easier and safer to use.

Can I combine both types of nylon when printing?

Just like any other additive manufacturing process tool available today, fused filament fabrication allows for combinations of two or three different materials in one print job. This works especially well with materials like Nylon 11 and Nylon 12 because they work so well together in standard projects already.

But there are some things worth noting when working with these materials, even when used as an alloy instead of individually printed layers/parts:

The default temperature settings for Nylon 11 at all printer stages should be kept lower than temperatures required for melting Nylon 12 Alloys since expansion rate is different compared to solid state Nylon 12 Keep your printer nozzle far from bed surface until the material begin cur.

This means that it is less likely to cause problems while printing, like getting a blob instead of a cylinder.

Conclusion

When it comes to 3D printing with nylon, there are plenty of options. The two most common types of nylon used for 3D printing are PA12 and PA11. Both have similar applications, but they also have some key differences that you need to know about before making a purchase.

While both materials are strong, PA12 nylon is a stiffer material that is better suited for functional prototypes, medical equipment, and tools.

 PA11 nylon, on the other hand, is softer and easier to print with, making it better for sporting equipment and other applications where accuracy isn’t as important.

All in all, both PA12 and PA11 nylons