Nylon, also known as polyamide, is a popular thermoplastic material used in Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing. It is known for its high strength, toughness, and flexibility, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. Nylon is widely used in various industries, including automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, and more.

Properties

1. High Strength and Toughness: Nylon has excellent mechanical properties, including high tensile strength and impact resistance, making it suitable for producing functional parts that require strength and durability.
2. Flexibility: Nylon exhibits good flexibility, allowing for parts with good bendability and resilience, making it suitable for applications that require flexibility and elasticity.
3. Excellent Layer Adhesion: Nylon has good interlayer adhesion during FDM printing, resulting in parts with good mechanical properties and stability.
4. Chemical Resistance: Nylon is resistant to many chemicals, including oils, greases, and solvents, making it suitable for parts that come into contact with chemicals or other harsh environments.
5. Low Moisture Absorption: Nylon has low moisture absorption compared to other common FDM materials, which helps to maintain its mechanical properties and print quality.
6. Good Thermal Stability: Nylon has a high melting temperature, typically ranging from 220-280°C, allowing for parts that can withstand higher temperatures during end-use applications.
7. Excellent Wear Resistance: Nylon has good wear resistance, making it suitable for parts that require friction resistance and durability.
8. Excellent Dimensional Stability: Nylon has low shrinkage during the cooling process, resulting in parts with high dimensional accuracy and stability.
9. Machinability: Nylon can be easily machined, drilled, and tapped after printing, allowing for post-processing and modification of the printed parts.
10. Versatility: Nylon is available in various grades and can be combined with other materials, such as carbon fiber or glass fiber, to further enhance its mechanical properties for specific applications.
11. Moderate Printability: Nylon can be challenging to print due to its higher print temperatures, slower cooling rates, and potential for warping. Proper printer setup, temperature control, and print settings are essential for successful printing.
12. Excellent Layer Bonding: Nylon has good interlayer bonding, resulting in parts with high strength and toughness.