PA11 Nylon
PA11 is a nylon made from renewable raw materials (castor oil). Compared with PA12, it is more flexible and more impact resistant, which makes it suitable for snap-fits, hinges and parts exposed to dynamic loads. Produced with MJF and SLS.
Properties by technology
Values from manufacturer datasheets. “To be confirmed” means the value is being checked against the manufacturer’s data; full details are in the PDF.
Production
- Technology
- HP Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)
- Max. dimensions
- 380 × 380 × 284 mm
- Accuracy
- ±0.3 mm or ±0.3 %
- Min. wall
- 0.75 mm (locally down to 0.5 mm)
- Production time
- up to 7 business days · express up to 4
- Min. price
- €20 per part, orders from €40 (excl. VAT)
Production
- Technology
- Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
- Max. dimensions
- 335 × 335 × 600 mm
- Accuracy
- ±0.3 mm or ±0.3 %
- Min. wall
- 0.75 mm (locally down to 0.5 mm)
- Production time
- up to 7 business days · express up to 4
- Min. price
- €20 per part, orders from €40 (excl. VAT)
Comparison across technologies
| Property | PA11 (MJF) | PA11 (SLS) |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | HP Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) | Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) |
| Tensile strength | 52 MPa | 48 MPa |
| Elongation at break | 35–50 % | 20 % |
| Tensile modulus | 1800 MPa | 1650 MPa |
| Flexural strength | 52 MPa | 42 MPa |
| Service temperature (max) | 185 °C | 175 °C |
| Hardness (Shore) | 80D | — |
| Colours | grey, black, white | white, grey, black |
| Max. dimensions | 380 × 380 × 284 mm | 335 × 335 × 600 mm |
| Accuracy | ±0.3 mm or ±0.3 % | ±0.3 mm or ±0.3 % |
| Min. wall | 0.75 mm (down to 0.5 mm) | 0.75 mm (down to 0.5 mm) |
| Production time | up to 7 business days · express up to 4 | up to 7 business days · express up to 4 |
| Relative price | €€€€ | €€€€ |
| Datasheet |
A good fit when…
- the part must flex without breaking – snap-fits, hinges, clips
- it is exposed to impacts or vibration
- you need strength and higher elongation than PA12
Choose something else when…
- you need maximum stiffness – choose PA12 GB or PA GF
- you need a flexible, rubber-like part – choose TPU
Designing in PA11 Nylon
Walls
Minimum 0.75 mm (down to 0.5 mm in places). Load-bearing walls – from 1.5–2 mm.
Cavities
Leave at least one 2–3 mm opening in closed cavities to remove powder; several for larger cavities.
Clearances
At least 0.5–1 mm between separate moving parts, so they do not fuse together.
PA11 properties
PA11 stands out for its high elongation at break – the part stretches before it breaks, so it is less brittle. This matters for snap-fits and parts that are assembled many times.
Technologies
MJF PA11 – dense, isotropic parts; SLS PA11 – larger build volume. Colours: grey, black (dyed), white (depending on technology).
Parts by technology
PA11 Nylon – frequently asked questions
How does PA11 differ from PA12?
PA11 is more flexible and more impact resistant (higher elongation); PA12 is slightly stiffer and usually cheaper. For functional parts with snap-fits, PA11 is often the better choice.