{"id":164410,"date":"2022-02-13T16:28:59","date_gmt":"2022-02-13T08:28:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/facfox.com\/docs\/?post_type=kb&p=164410"},"modified":"2022-11-08T10:03:06","modified_gmt":"2022-11-08T02:03:06","slug":"nylon-3d-printing-everything-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"kb","link":"https:\/\/facfox.com\/docs\/kb\/nylon-3d-printing-everything-you-need-to-know","title":{"rendered":"Nylon 3D Printing: Everything You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Nylon is known as a strong and versatile material. Read on to learn about nylon 3D printing and how parts are created with FDM, SLS, and MJF.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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A Tough Nut to Crack<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Powder sintering is perfectly suited to nylon 3D printing (Source: i.Materialise)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nylon\u00a0is a synthetic polymer formed from polyamides, which are polymers linked with amide bonds. When it comes to 3D printing, nylon is often considered an \u201cadvanced\u201d material, as printing requires some skill and specialized machinery. Nylon can be 3D printed either from powder or\u00a0filament<\/a>.<\/p>\n

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES<\/h4>\n

Despite being slightly tricky to 3D print, the effort is rewarded by the material\u2019s properties. Nylon is a popular choice in industrial 3D printing as it\u2019s strong, durable, and abrasion-resistant. If printed thin enough, it can provide decent flexibility while maintaining toughness.<\/p>\n

Nylon\u2019s low coefficient of friction also means it\u2019s well suited for making functional moving parts. Therefore, nylon is often used for making functional prototypes, living hinges, gears, and similar end-use parts.<\/p>\n

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES<\/h4>\n

To completely understand nylon 3D printing, it\u2019s important to know about two other properties. One, it has a high melting point, and two, it\u2019s\u00a0hygroscopic<\/a>, meaning it loves to absorb moisture. This second property can be an advantage, but also has its cons. While the surface of a printed part allows\u00a0paint<\/a>\u00a0to adhere very well, it also absorbs moisture from the air, which can eventually affect the performance of a part.<\/p>\n

In this article, we\u2019ll be going deeper into nylon printing and the different technologies that you can print it with. Let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n

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Technology Choices<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The choice is yours (Source: Craftcloud)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Nylon 3D printing can be achieved with\u00a0fused deposition modeling (FDM)<\/a>\u00a0using nylon filament, or with\u00a0selective laser sintering (SLS)<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)<\/a>\u00a0using nylon powder. Below, we\u2019ll explain the differences between these technologies, how they\u2019re used to create nylon parts, and the pros and cons of each.<\/p>\n

If you need parts 3D printed in nylon but don\u2019t have the setup to do it yourself, check out\u00a0FacFox<\/a>, a 3D printing service marketplace. Craftcloud connects you with 3D printing partners all around the world, giving you a choice of technologies and finishes. Once you upload a design and input your requirements, the instant quote generator will display the best prices and fastest delivery times so that you can choose your supplier.<\/p>\n

In the case of printing with nylon, beyond the usual FDM options, there are suppliers printing with SLS and MJF as well as PA 12 and glass-filled nylon powders. So now, let\u2019s learn what all that means!<\/p>\n

FDM<\/h3>\n
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FDM is the cheapest way to get into nylon 3D printing (Source: Ultimaker)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3D printing with nylon can be expensive to get into because MJF and\u00a0SLS printers<\/a>, as well as the powders they use, are far from cheap. Luckily, it\u2019s possible to 3D print nylon using an FDM printer paired with special\u00a0nylon filament<\/a>.<\/p>\n

FDM 3D printers use filaments, which are melted and then extruded through a nozzle onto the build platform in layers, until the part is complete. While 3D printing nylon on an FDM printer is much more accessible than SLS or MJF, the quality of an FDM-printed nylon part is not as impressive.<\/p>\n

Firstly, not all FDM printers can handle nylon filament with ease. It\u2019s important to have a\u00a0quality (all-metal) hot end<\/a>\u00a0that can handle temperatures above 250 \u00b0C. Apart from that, nylon is also prone to\u00a0warping<\/a>, so\u00a0bed adhesion<\/a>\u00a0is an issue of its own.<\/p>\n

Nylon filament comes in different variations, the most common being PA 6 and PA 66. Both of these have the standard nylon properties of strength, abrasion resistance, and low coefficient of friction, but come with one substantial flaw: high moisture absorption.<\/p>\n

Storage & Printing<\/h3>\n
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Nylon filament requires a heated bed and high nozzle temperature (Source: SourceGraphics)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

High moisture absorption can have a negative impact on the filament in the form of degradation. When degraded, filament starts to lose its properties, and nylon filament can start to degrade in a matter of hours. To prevent such a scenario,\u00a0proper storage<\/a>\u00a0is crucial.<\/p>\n

A simple plastic airtight container is a good solution when the filament is not being used, but what to do when printing? The ideal solution is a storage unit with humidity control, which also allows the filament to get into the extruder.\u00a0If it\u2019s too late, and your spool has already absorbed too much moisture, it might be able to be saved if you properly\u00a0dry your filament<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve got the storage figured out, it\u2019ll be time to start printing with nylon filament. Although it always depends on the exact printer and material you\u2019re using, and you should always consider the manufacturer\u2019s recommended settings, here\u2019s an overview of basic nylon printing settings:<\/p>\n