SLS Materials

The design parameters of your application will often dictate your material choice.

NW Rapid Mfg. Prints in Polyamide and Polystyrene Materials.

NW Rapid Manufacturing's Selective Laser Sintering systems produce fully functional prototypes and lightweight products of any complexity using polyamide or polystyrene materials. The design parameters of your application will determine the material used. Most of the materials are specialized and/or derivations of nylon.

Nylon 12 Base Materials

Economical
Lightweight
Tough
Excellent chemical resistance
PA 2201 FDA, 21 CFR
PA 2200 contains a titanium dioxide whitener, USP Class VI for biocompatibility
PA 606-FR fire retardant tested to FAR 25.853
PA 603-CF carbon fiber filled
PA 615-GS 50% glass filled
Alumide aluminum flake filled

Nylon 11 Base Materials

Lightweight
High impact resistance
High pressure resistance
More ductile than nylon 12
Rich black color

Polystyrene PrimeCast 101

Master patterns for investment casting
Master patterns for vacuum casting
High dimensional accuracy
Low residual ash content when burned

Nylon 12
Our standard Nylon 12 material is ideal for most applications. It is lightweight, tough, flexible yet rigid, and economical. Nylon 12 is our choice for prototypes and production parts. Nylon 12 is in compliance with FDA, 21 CFR, §177.1500 9(b) except for alcoholic foodstuff. Nylon 12 has no porosity with wall thicknesses greater than 0.060” (1.5 mm), has exceptional chemical and fuel resistance, and can be used for fuel and liquid storage. We have examples that have held 10psi for longer than three years with no fuel loss.

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Nylon CF
Our Carbon-Fiber/Nylon 12 material provides a superior stiffness factor compared to our high performance Nylon 12. Its high tensile strength makes it perfectly suited for Motorsports applications, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Aerospace, and other applications where a high heat tolerance, strength, and resistance to wear are of paramount importance. Gray/Black in color, this material exhibits extreme smoothness when processed with our secondary finishing operations.

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Polystyrene
For the production of cast patterns we utilize a polystyrene material that has a low residual ash, and is easily processed after infiltration with wax. Nearly any metal can be investment cast, but typical materials include A356 Aluminum and Titanium alloys.

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*Nylon FR
Our Nylon FR, fire retardant material is ideal for applications where FAR certification is required (meeting FAR 25.853 60 second burn specification) – typical applications would be aircraft, or other commercial transportation interiors, automotive interiors, laboratory ventilation and air handling. Parts will exhibit a smooth surface finish and sharp feature detail. Mechanical properties are similar to our standard Nylon 12.

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Nylon 11
Our Nylon 11 material is used in applications that require slightly higher tensile strength at break along with a higher elongation factor. A true all-weather performer, it excels in extreme climates; it has a high impact resistance at sub-zero temperatures and high pressure resistance. It also possesses a low coefficient of friction. Nylon 11 is not biocompatible. Available in black.

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Alumide
Our aluminum flake filled Nylon 12 creates a product characterized by high stiffness and a somewhat metallic (silver color) appearance. This material provides superior dimensional accuracy, good thermal conductivity, easy post processing via machining, grinding, milling. Our secondary polishing processes can provide a surface with a somewhat metallic-looking finish. The aluminum powder creates a product that is somewhat brittle, so this material is not recommended for structural applications. This product should not be used in any application where contact with foodstuffs would be possible.

Stock Materials