3D Printing Materials SLS Nylon 12 VS FDM ABS

Materials like ABS and Nylon 12 are considered industry standards. Both are favorites of 3D printing users at all experience levels—due to familiarity and many benefits outweighing any respective drawbacks—depending on project requirements

ABS is widely used in FDM 3D printing
Greater accessibility and affordability of fused deposition modeling (FDM) soon resulted in widespread popularity of filaments like Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), named appropriately for the three monomers making up its composition (and also sometimes acting as an unpredictable and unsteady mix). ABS is so well-known with users around the globe who have become comfortable, they might not be inclined to reach out for better alternatives—even when such choices could make the difference in winning or losing a client with a better prototype, or improving manufacturing processes with higher-quality parts.

ABS is undeniably affordable, strong, and durable enough to draw a dedicated fan club. The opaque thermoplastic is also known for its impact resistance, and heat and chemical resistance too. Along with Polylactic Acid (PLA), ABS continues on as a staple for desktop FDM 3D printing users sold on basic requirements like tensile strength and thermal stability, and undeniable durability for prototypes and functional parts; however, such loyalty means dealing with challenges like:

Inconsistency due to the unregulated mixture of properties
Discoloration (yellowing) after continued use
Warping
Shrinking
Lack of adhesion
Inferior layer width
To continue, ABS is still popular in the industrial settings too. Many engineers still reply on the thermoplastic material for rapid prototyping as well as end-use parts with good mechanical properties for applications like medical models, auto parts, housings and casings, and consumer items requiring durability. Not just restricted to 3D printing either, ABS is a big favorite for plastic injection due to its light weight, multiple resistance factors, and of course—affordability. It is extremely ubiquitous, and because of that many new businesses may be considering turning to ABS as a general-use material without realizing the greater benefits of other more industrial choices like Nylon 12 .

Nylon 12 usually wins in comparison to ABS

White polyamide 12 powder, also known as nylon, is the most tested material for additive manufacturing on the market. Parts made from nylon are robust, stable for long periods of time, chemically resistant and extremely versatile. EOS materials based on polyamide 12 are a high-performance alternative to plastics like ABS or PA6 that have proven their value in injection molding. The additively manufactured end products are just as strong, flexible and durable as molded parts.

Nylon is a synthetic thermoplastic polymer that belongs to the family of polyamides. It is available in multiple variants, each tailored to different applications. Nylon 12 Powder and Nylon 11 Powder are single-component powders, while Nylon 12 GF Powder is a glass-filled composite, and Nylon 11 CF Powder is a carbon fiber reinforced composite. These composite materials are developed to optimize parts for higher strength, stiffness, or flexibility. With these two-component powders, only the component with the lower glass transition point is sintered, binding both components.

Fields of application:
This cost-efficient general-purpose material is suitable for a variety of applications, including functional prototypes and qualified series production parts from the industry.

Many studies have been performed in recent years regarding toxicity emanating from 3D prints with ABS or Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic], and it would seem that they are both equally hazardous. Research has shown that microscopic particles can be inhaled into the lungs and absorbed into the skin. Safety concerns must be emphasized for users working on their own, and without question in industrial and factory settings where protective gear and comprehensive ventilation systems are necessary.

WKproto is a professional rapid prototyping and low-volume production manufacture specializing in 3D printing, CNC machining, and Vacuum Casting. Our factory and parter factories enable rapid prototyping of designs from our customers and low volume production for market verification.

We have three factories. 3D printing factory meets the demands of most 3D printing services with 100 SLA machines, 10 SLS machines, 10 MJF machines, 10 SLM machines, and 20 FDM machines. CNC machining factories for processing metals, plastic and more materials with more than 200 machines for CNC milling/CNC lathes/EDM / Wire EDM and the Vacuum Casting factory is for low volume production for ABS、PC、PP、PE、PA、POM、PMMA、PVC.