PA11 (Nylon 11)

SAF™ PA11 for Durable, Flexible, and Sustainable 3D Printing

Technical Overview

SAF™ PA11 is a specified, bio-based polyamide 11 (PA11) powder developed for the Stratasys H350™ 3D printer. Processed using SAF™ (Selective Absorption Fusion) technology, this material delivers production-grade parts with consistent quality at high volumes. Its key differentiator is its sustainable origin, derived from 100% renewable castor oil, making it an environmentally friendlier alternative to petroleum-based nylons without sacrificing mechanical performance.

Performance: specified Ductility and Impact Resistance

The primary advantage of SAF™ PA11 is its superior ductility and toughness. With a higher elongation-at-break than comparable PA12 materials, it excels in applications requiring flexibility and the ability to withstand repeated stress and impact. This makes it ideal for producing defined parts like living hinges, snap-fit closures, and other components that must bend without fracturing, ensuring reliability in mechanically demanding roles.

Performance: Chemical and Thermal Durability

Engineered for demanding industrial environments, SAF™ PA11 provides strong resistance to a wide range of chemicals, including oils, greases, and aliphatic hydrocarbons. It also maintains its structural integrity across a broad temperature range, ensuring stable performance in applications exposed to thermal fluctuations. This combination of properties results in durable, long-lasting parts suitable for both functional prototyping and end-use production.

Design and Processing

SAF™ PA11 is exclusively processed on the Stratasys H350™ printer. The SAF powder-bed fusion process is self-supporting, eliminating the need for dedicated support structures and enabling high part-nesting density for maximum throughput. The material features a favorable 30% virgin powder refresh rate, which minimizes waste and reduces cost-per-part, further enhancing its sustainability credentials for volume production.

Lifecycle: From Functional Prototypes to Production

With its balance of performance, consistency, and sustainability, SAF™ PA11 is suitable across the entire product lifecycle. It is an excellent choice for creating highly accurate functional prototypes that closely mimic the properties of the final product. Its durability and the high-throughput capabilities of SAF technology also make it a commercially reviewed solution for low-volume production runs, replacement parts, and serial manufacturing of end-use components.