Commonly known as Polyamide (PA), nylon is a popular polymer in additive manufacturing. This thermoplastic is available in powder or filament form for SLS, Multi-Jet Fusion, and FDM technologies. PA12 and PA11 are definitely the most well-known on the 3D printing market, as well as PA6 for FDM. These polymers are classed according to their chemical composition, and in particular, by the number of carbon atoms they contain. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using nylon fiber for 3D printing? What are the applications, and who are the producers on the market? Here is the melting point of nylon glass fiber filament, as well as other useful facts to know!
When it comes to filaments, nylon with six carbon atoms, also known as PA6, is the most frequent. It’s a filament with a lot of intriguing properties, such as high flexibility and resistance to impact and abrasion. Furthermore, its mechanical qualities are quite similar to ABS. However, due to adhesion concerns, nylon will necessitate the presence of a hot plate within the 3D printer (that can reach over 80°C). Nylon also requires specialized storage because it absorbs humidity quickly (hygroscopic material), which could affect printing later.
Filamatrix’s glass fiber-filled nylon, Nylon Glass 3D Printer Filament, has some of the best physical qualities available. Nylon Glass excels in impact strength while maintaining extremely high stiffness, tensile strength, and heat deflection temperature. In fact, nylon filaments can withstand heat upwards of 300 degrees Fahrenheit! Nylon Glass Filament is similar to Nylon Carbon Fiber in many high-strength, high-stiffness applications, but due to its higher impact strength, it also performs well in parts that will be subjected to repetitive shock. While the printing temperature of Nylon Glass Filament is around 255 °C, the actual point where it begins melting is closer to 180 °C. As the filament is extruded, the abrasive fibers begin to wear down the nozzle, which will become visible as the print quality deteriorates.
Moisture absorption that is too high can cause the filament to degrade. When filament degrades, it loses its qualities, and nylon filament can degrade in just a few hours. Proper storage is essential to avoid such a situation. When the filament is not in use, a basic plastic airtight container is an excellent solution—but what about when printing? The optimum solution is a humidity-controlled storage facility that also allows the filament to enter the extruder. If it’s too late and your spool has already absorbed too much moisture, carefully drying your filament may be able to rescue it.
We hope you have enjoyed our recap of the melting point of nylon glass fiber filament, as well as other things to know about glass nylon filament! If you are looking to purchase high-temp nylon filament, be sure to reach out to Filamatrix today!
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