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An overview of our range of different PA plastics
As diverse as our range of 3D materials and printing technologies is, it is clear that around 90% of our customers prefer SLS printing with PA (=polyamide) plastics. The advantages of this material in terms of long-term stability are too great, biocompatibility and resistance to most chemicals, so PA plastic speaks for itself.
It is all the more worthwhile to take a closer look at our variety of PA plastics. Because PA plastic is by no means the same as PA plastic. We have a total of 6 different polyamides (PAs) in our range, each with very different advantages.
PA plastics as linear polymers with thermoplastic properties
From a chemical point of view, polyamides are linear polymers with regularly repeating amide bonds along the main chain, where the amide group can be viewed as the condensation product of a carboxylic acid and an amine. At the same time, this designation, polyamides or PA plastics, is usually used as a designation for synthetic, technically usable thermoplastic (= plastics that deform when heated) are used, which also means that they are distinguished from (chemically related) proteins.
In short: It is both a chemical and an application-related term.
Our PAs in comparison
1.) PA-GF
The external feature of PA-GF is its blending with glass beads. Thanks to the resulting, significantly increased thermal resistance and tensile modulus of elasticity, this material is particularly suitable for function test models that have to withstand both high thermal loads and mechanical stresses.
2.) PA-FR
Together with the ABS variant ULTEM™, PA-FR forms our group flame retardant 3D materials documented by the internationally recognized fire safety standard UL94 V-0 from the US company Underwriters Laboratories. A classic area of application is therefore fittings for aircraft and motor vehicles, as well as components for space rockets.
3.) PA with wood
With additions of wood, this PA blend enables 3D models to be reproduced in every respect wooden objects remember. Above all, designers of art and everyday objects value PA with wood as a 3D material.
4.) PA Black
In contrast to the usually white PA powders, we have PA black completely black dyed through, making this material suitable for all models and prototypes for which a black design is desired. At the same time, PA-Black impresses with its particularly high impact and scratch resistance.
5.) TPU 92A
This rather cryptic name hides a polyamide mixture gummy Properties. Typical areas of application are therefore textiles, sealing rings or flexible prototypes.
6.) Alumide
This mixture of polyamide powder and powdered aluminum combines the advantages of plastic and metal in a particularly elegant way, ie with a special metal look and metal-like properties, can be printed using the SLS process at a comparatively low financial cost. Fields of application include vehicle construction, the production of small series, as well as display objects with a metal look.
All of our PA plastics and PA mixtures are characterized by good mechanical properties, high toughness and excellent sliding and wear behavior out.
Polyamide plastics are printed using selective laser sintering, also known as SLS printing. In this process, a laser beam draws the contours designed in the 3D file precisely into the powdered printing material, with the 3D model being created layer by layer by locally fusing the individual layers of powder.
Would you like to learn more about 3D printing with polyamides and other materials? Visit our website to learn more about our printing processes and services. Our contact form is available for specific inquiries.
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