EOS Laser Sintering Materials

NW Rapid Manufacturing’s laser sinter system produces fully functional prototypes and light-weight products of any complexity using polyamide or polystyrene materials. The best fit for your application will determine the material used.

There are many materials recently available to the market and this can be a little confusing.  Good news is most are specialized and/or derivations of nylon. 

Material choices include:

  • std PA

    Our standard PA12 nylon material is actually ideal for most applications.  It is lightweight, tough, flexible yet rigid, and economical.  Therefore it is our default choice for prototypes and production parts. PA2201 is biocompatible and in compliance with FDA, 21 CFR, §177.1500 9(b) except for alcoholic foodstuff.
  • Flexible rubber-like

    For applications that demand a more flexible material, we have a 40-60 shore A material available as well. This material has an elongation of about 200% and can easily be dyed any color.
  • Polystyrene patterns for casting metal parts

    For castable patterns we utilize a polystyrene material. This material is easily processed especially after infiltration with wax and has a low residual ash. Nearly any metal can be investment cast, but typical materials include A356 Aluminum and Titanium alloys.
  • PALS

    For more demanding applications where our std PA12 is not enough, we have the PALS family of materials with specialized properties including reduced weight, increased toughness, and increased stiffness.  These materials are intended for use when production and batch orders are required.

    PALS materials include our original PALS, which is lighter weight and stiffer than std PA12, PALS Plus, which is tougher and stiffer than our std PA12 for about the same weight, and PALS Biolite, which offers both our lowest weight and lowest impact to the environment.

Other off the shelf and custom blended materials can also be processed by special order. Also available,  flame retardant materials for compliance with FAR 25.853, 60 second vertical burn. Various post processing techniques are also available.