Nylons are a common class of plastics that have been around since the 1930s. They are a polyamide polymer traditionally used in a number of common plastic manufacturing processes for plastic films, metal coatings and tubing for oil and gas – among other things. In general, nylons are immensely popular for additive applications because of their processability, as referenced in the 2017 State of 3D Printing annual report. The most widely used SLS material is Polyamide 12 (PA 12) , also known as Nylon 12 PA 12 (also known as Nylon 12) is a good general-use plastic with broad additive applications and is known for its toughness, tensile strength, impact strength and ability to flex without fracture. PA 12 has long been used by injection molders due to these mechanical properties. And more recently, PA 12 has been adopted as a common 3D printing material for creating functional parts and prototypes.
Nylon 12 is a nylon polymer. It is made from ω-amino lauric acid or laurolactam monomers that each have 12 carbons, hence the name “Nylon 12”. Its characteristics are between short-chain aliphatic nylons (such as PA 6 and PA 66) and polyolefins. PA 12 is a long carbon chain nylon. Low water absorption and density, 1.01 g/mL, result from its relatively long hydrocarbon chain length, which also confers it dimensional stability and an almost paraffin-like structure. The Nylon 12 properties include the lowest water absorption characteristics of all polyamides, which means any parts made from PA 12 should remain stable in humid environments.
In addition, polyamide 12 with good chemical resistance, with reduced sensitivity to stress cracking. Under relatively dry operating conditions, the sliding friction coefficient of steel, POM, PBT and other materials is low, with excellent wear resistance, stability, very high toughness, and impact resistance. Meanwhile, PA 12 is a good electrical insulator and, like other polyamides, does not affect insulation by moisture. Besides, PA 12 long glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic material has good noise and vibration damping.
PA 12 has been used as a plastic in the automotive industry for many years: examples of multilayer pipes made of PA 12 include fuel lines, pneumatic brake lines,hydraulic lines, air intake system, air boost system, hydraulic system, automotive electronics and lighting, cooling and air conditioning system, oil system, power system and chassis in the vehicles of countless automobile manufacturers worldwide. Its chemical resistance and outstanding mechanical properties make PA 12 an ideal material for contact media that contain hydrocarbons.
If you want to know more information and need to make 3d printing model, please contact JSADD 3D Manufacturer every time.
Related Video：
Author: Simon | Lili Lu | Seazon