Notice:
Update your printer to the latest firmware version before printing with Nylon 12 GF.
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Using Nylon 12 GF
Using Nylon 12 GF
Nylon 12 GF is a stiff and stable, industry-standard material that’s ideal for durable end-use parts. Incorporating glass filler into Nylon 12 expands its use into higher-performance applications. Its recommended 50% refresh rate allows for maximum reuse of materials and optimal print success.
Recommended for:
- Stiff parts for applications where structural rigidity and thermal stability are key
- High stiffness static jigs and fixtures
- High temperature applications
- Work environments that require easy material switching with Nylon 12
Comparison with other materials
See the table below for a comparison of relevant material properties:
| Nylon 11 | Nylon 12 | Nylon 12 GF | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultimate tensile strength (MPa) | 49 | 50 | 38 |
| Tensile modulus (MPa) | 1600 | 1850 | 2800 |
| Elongation at break X/Y (%) | 40 | 11 | 4 |
| Elongation at break Z (%) | N/A | 6 | 3 |
| Flexural modulus (MPa) | 1400 | 1600 | 2400 |
| Izod impact strength (J/m) | 70 | 32 | 36 |
| Heat deflection temperature (HDT) @ 1.8 MPa | 46 | 87 | 113 |
| Heat deflection temperature (HDT) HDT @ 0.45 MPa (°C) | 182 | 171 | 170 |
| Vicat softening temperature (°C) | 189 | 175 | 175 |
To learn more about the performance properties of Formlabs materials, refer to the library of material properties data sheets.
When compared to Formlabs SLA resins, Nylon 11 and Nylon 12 have similar stiffness to Tough 1500 Resin and Tough 2000 Resin respectively. Nylon 12 GF has a stiffness between Tough 2000 Resin and Rigid 4000 Resin.
Printing with Nylon 12 GF
For the best results, follow Formlabs design specifications for SLS printing.
Note:
For most use cases, Nylon 12 GF prints much like Nylon 12. However, thin features on parts printed in Nylon 12 GF are more prone to breaking due to its increased stiffness and brittleness.
Refer to the support article Starting a print (SLS) to open a model in PreForm, orient it, and send it to the printer.
Nylon 12 GF Powder uses a standard refresh rate of 50%, but under specific guidance from Formlabs, a refresh rate of 70% may be used to troubleshoot part defects.
Formlabs recommends printing Nylon 12 GF in air.
Fuse 1 only: Remove the debris catcher from the hopper before printing with Nylon 12 GF, as the material will clump if the debris catcher is left in place.
Post-processing Nylon 12 GF printed parts
Fuse 1 generation printers surround each printed part with Surface Armor, a semi-sintered shell. This alleviates potential thermal inconsistencies which may adversely affect a part’s accuracy. Surface Armor improves surface finish and is discarded during post-processing.
Stronger Surface Armor is required for parts printed with Nylon 12 GF compared to Nylon 12 or Nylon 11. While the workflow for all three materials is similar, you will need to use a media blaster to effectively remove all surface armor from Nylon 12 GF parts.
To post-process parts printed with Nylon 12 GF:
- Separate printed parts from the powder cake using a Fuse Sift. Note that the Nylon 12 GF powder cake is stiffer than for Nylon 12.
- After removing all loose powder using the Fuse Sift, move the printed parts to the Fuse Blast or other suitable media blasting environment. Use the Fuse Blast to fully remove the Surface Armor from each printed part.
- See the support article Formlabs-approved distributors for supplies (SLS) for suggested media blasting solutions.
Note:
Use extra care to avoid damage to small, delicate features during post-processing. Use multiple passes to ensure that you remove all Surface Armor from holes and small enclosed areas in your parts.
- Continue with any remaining post-processing steps: painting, electroplating, etc.
Between prints
Accumulated powder and condensed airborne particulates can cause print failures in future print jobs if not properly cleaned out after each print. Clean the following areas between prints:
- Inspect and clean the optical cassette
- Inspect and clean the IR sensor
- Clean the IR sensor housing
- Clean any powder that fell below or around the build chamber
- Clean both powder troughs and the area around the recoater’s path using a compliant vacuum with static dissipative components
- Inspect and clean the recoater if necessary
Cleaning the top of the print enclosure
Powder can accumulate at the top of the print enclosure, particularly on the runways, the areas between the powder troughs and the top of the build chamber. This excess powder may fuse and be dragged into the build chamber during subsequent prints. Vacuum this area thoroughly to help prevent print failures.
Vacuuming the troughs
Between prints, clean both troughs and the area around the recoater’s path using a compliant vacuum with static dissipative components. Use the vacuum, fitted with a small brush attachment or the flexible hose attachment, to clean all powder out of the troughs. If needed, use compressed air or a gas duster to remove powder from hard-to-reach areas. Check in particular for powder buildup along the inner walls and corners of the troughs.
Close the print enclosure door and move the flipper motors to dislodge powder for cleaning.
To move the flipper motors:
- Close the print enclosure door.
- On the touchscreen, tap the wrench icon. The Maintenance menu appears.
- Tap Motor Moves. The Motor Moves screen appears, which allows you to manually activate various motors in the print enclosure.
Caution:
Unless specifically advised, do not select any of the options in the Motor Moves menu while the print enclosure door is open or any objects are in the path of the powder handling mechanisms at the top of the print enclosure. Moving parts present a crushing or tangling hazard. If necessary, tap the Stop button on the touchscreen to stop a motor movement.
- Tap the CW, CCW, and Home arrows under the Flipper (Left) and Flipper (Right) headers to rotate the left and right flippers clockwise, counterclockwise, or back to their home positions. Repeatedly move the flippers and vacuum the powder troughs until they are clean. In particular, ensure that the inner edge of both powder troughs as well as any adjacent components are free of powder.
Cleaning the recoater
Move and inspect the recoater. If it appears coated with semi-sintered powder, clean the recoater before running another print.
To clean the recoater:
- On the touchscreen, tap the wrench icon. The Maintenance screen appears.
- Tap Motor Moves. The Motor Moves screen appears.
- Tap the < (Left) or > (Right) button under Recoater until you can view the recoater assembly.
- If the recoater is covered with semi-sintered powder, clean it with a PEC*PAD or other lint-free microfiber cloth wetted with ethanol.
Changing materials
The Fuse 1 generation printer, Fuse Sift, and related accessories are designed to be used with only one powder type at a time. Make sure to clean each device thoroughly, following Formlabs instructions, before switching powder types. Mixing powders can lead to print failures or permanent damage to the machine.
If you plan to regularly print in multiple different materials, Formlabs recommends dedicating a separate Fuse 1 generation printer and Fuse Sift for each material type.
Consult the following support articles for additional information: