A Comparison of Multi Jet Fusion 3D Printing Materials
Selecting the right material is one of the most critical decisions in any additive manufacturing project. For engineers and manufacturers working with Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) 3D printing technology, material choice directly impacts part performance, durability, regulatory compliance, and overall production costs. MJF offers a range of production-grade polymers, each with a distinct balance of mechanical strength, chemical resistance, flexibility, surface finish, and weight.
Choosing the optimal material often comes down to evaluating trade-offs, such as mechanical strength versus weight reduction, chemical resistance versus processing speed, or surface smoothness versus impact performance. This guide breaks down the technical differences between MJF materials, making it easier to select the right polymer for your application.
Nylon PA 12
Nylon PA 12 (Polyamide 12) is a highly versatile MJF material valued for its excellent balance of strength, toughness, and chemical resistance. It maintains dimensional stability under a variety of environmental conditions and offers strong resistance to oils, greases, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and alkaline environments. This makes it a proven choice for functional parts exposed to mechanical stress and harsh conditions.
Key Applications
- Watertight components
- Functional prototypes & end-use parts
- Jigs & fixtures
- Housing, enclosures, and complex assemblies
Material Properties
| Properties | Test Method | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | ASTM D638 | 48 MPa (XY), 48 MPa (Z) |
| Elongation at Break (%) | ASTM D638 | 20% (XY), 15% (Z) |
| Flexural strength (@ 5%, MPa) | ASTM D790 | 65 MPa (XY), 70 MPa (Z) |
| Heat Deflection Temperature (@ 0.45 MPa, 66 psi) | ASTM D648 Test Method A | 347°F (XY), 347°F (Z) |
| Heat Deflection Temperature (@ 1.82 MPa, 264 psi) | ASTM D648 Test Method A | 203°F (XY), 223°F (Z) |
| Particle size (μm) | ASTM D3451 | 60 μm |
Nylon PA 12 White
Nylon PA 12 White delivers a mechanical performance comparable to standard PA 12, but with a natural white base that expands cosmetic versatility and post-processing options. Printed with its white surface directly from the machine, it enables more vibrant and consistent colors than those achievable with natural gray PA 12.
The material is proven sterilization-compatible, withstanding steam autoclaving, ethylene oxide, and gamma irradiation without significant loss of performance. PA 12 White is an excellent fit for industries such as healthcare, consumer goods, and automotive.
Key Applications
- Orthotics and prosthetics
- Medical devices
- Aesthetic housings and covers
- Biocompatible parts
Material Properties
| Properties | Test Method | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | ASTM D638 | 49 MPa (XY), 45 MPa (Z) |
| Elongation at Break (%) | ASTM D638 | 17% (XY), 9% (Z) |
| Elongation at Yield (%) | ASTM D638 | 11% (XY), 8% (Z) |
| Heat Deflection Temperature (@ 0.45 MPa, 66 psi) | ASTM D638 | 347°F (XY), 347°F (Z) |
| Impact Strength (KJ/m2) | ASTM D256 | 4.8 (XY), 4.1 (Z) |
| Particle size (μm) | ASTM D3451 | 60 μm |
Nylon PA 12 Smooth
Nylon PA 12 Smooth is a refined version of the widely used PA 12 3D printing material, specifically engineered to provide superior surface smoothness. While this comes with a modest reduction of approximately 5% in mechanical strength, it delivers a significantly improved surface finish and tactile quality. Developed in collaboration with Arkema and optimized for HP Multi Jet Fusion technology, PA 12 Smooth supports powder reusability of up to 85% and can reduce cost per part by as much as 25% compared to standard PA 12.
Key Applications
- Consumer goods
- Volume prototyping
- Medical models
- Aesthetic covers
Material Properties
| Properties | Test Method | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | ASTM D638 | 48 MPa (XY), 48 MPa (Z) |
| Elongation at Break (%) | ASTM D638 | 20% (XY), 15% (Z) |
| Flexural strength (@ 5%, MPa) | ASTM D790 | 65 MPa (XY), 70 MPa (Z) |
| Heat Deflection Temperature (@ 0.45 MPa, 66 psi) | ASTM D648 Test Method A | 347°F (XY), 347°F (Z) |
| Heat Deflection Temperature (@ 1.82 MPa, 264 psi) | ASTM D648 Test Method A | 203°F (XY), 223°F (Z) |
| Particle size (μm) | ASTM D3451 | 60 μm |
Nylon PA 12 Flame Retardant (FR)
Nylon PA 12 FR is a flame-retardant nylon 3D printing material, designed to meet demanding safety and regulatory standards without compromising print quality. Engineered for applications requiring both mechanical performance and fire resistance, this specialized polymer is ideal for industries such as aerospace, robotics, rail, and electronics. PA 12 FR meets UL 94 V-0 flammability requirements at 2.5mm thickness.
Key Applications
- Electrical components
- Fluidic systems
- Robotics
- Machinery parts
Material Properties
| Properties | Test Method | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | ASTM D638 | 46 MPa (XY), 46 MPa (Z) |
| Elongation at Break (%) | ASTM D638 | 4.7% (XY), 4% (Z) |
| Elongation at Yield (%) | ASTM D638 | 3.8% (XY), 3.6% (Z) |
| Heat Deflection Temperature (@ 0.45 MPa, 66 psi) | ASTM D638 | 341.6°F (XY), 341.6°F (Z) |
| Izod Impact Notched (kJ/m²) | ASTM D256 | 2.8 (XY), 2.7 (Z) |
| Part Density (g/cm³) | ASTM D792 | 2.13 |
Nylon PA 11
Nylon PA 11 is a bio-based polyamide derived from renewable castor oil, offering a unique combination of sustainability, toughness, and chemical resistance. Compared to PA 12, PA 11 offers higher elongation at break and superior impact resistance, making it an excellent choice for applications that require ductility and fatigue endurance.
PA 11 also exhibits excellent resistance to hydrocarbons, oils, and chemicals. This material is ideal for industries like automotive and industrial, where functional parts require durability and chemical resistance.
Key Applications
- Automotive under-the-hood components
- Sports protective gear
- Industrial protective covers and pneumatic tubing
- Functional prototypes
Material Properties
| Properties | Test Method | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | ASTM D638 | 52 MPa (XY), 52 MPa (Z) |
| Elongation at Break (%) | ASTM D638 | 55% (XY), 40% (Z) |
| Elongation at Yield (%) | ASTM D638 | 3.8% (XY), 3.6% (Z) |
| Heat deflection temperature (@ 0.45 MPa, 66 psi) | ASTM D648 | 365°F |
| Part Density (g/in3) | ASTM D792 | 1.05 |
| Shore Hardness D | ASTM D2240 | 80 |
Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)
Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) is a versatile elastomeric material known for its exceptional flexibility, durability, and abrasion resistance. Its high elasticity and rebound resistance make it ideal for applications requiring shock absorption and energy return. Engineers have adopted TPU as a high-performance rubber replacement, appreciating the enhanced design freedom it offers.
Key Applications
- Orthotics and prosthetics
- Automotive hoses and tubes
- Footwear
- Consumer products
Material Properties
| Properties | Test Method | X-Direction | Y-Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | DIN 53504, S2 | 9 | 7 |
| Elongation at Break (%) | DIN 53504, S2 | 280 | 150 |
| Tear Resistance (kN/m) | DIN ISO 34 - 1, A | 20 | 16 |
| Flexural Modulus (kN/m) | DIN ISO 178 | 75 | 75 |
| Hardness Shore A | DIN ISO 7619 - 1 | 88 | 88 |
| UL Flammability | UL 94 | HB | HB |
| Melting Temperature (°F) | ISO 11357 (20 K/min) | 248 | 302 |
| Rebound Resilience [%] | DIN 53512 | 63 | 63 |
Polypropylene (PP)
Polypropylene (PP) is a lightweight, chemically resistant thermoplastic that positions itself as a high-reusability, production-grade polymer. This 3D printing material is engineered with excellent plasticity, low-moisture absorption, and weldability. Its low density (.0.87 g/cm³) makes it one of the lightest commodity plastics, ideal for applications that demand weight reduction.
Key Applications
- Prototyping
- Interior automotive components
- Fluid and HVAC systems
- Medical devices
Material Properties
| Properties | Test Method | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | ASTM D638 | 30 MPa (XY), 30 MPa (Z) |
| Elongation at Break (%) | ASTM D638 | 20% (XY), 18% (Z) |
| Elongation at Yield (%) | ASTM D638 | 10% (XY), 10% (Z) |
| Heat deflection temperature (@ 0.45 MPa, 66 psi) | ASTM D648 | 212°F |
| Part Density (g/in3) | ASTM D1895 | .89 |
| Particle Size (µm) | ASTM D3451 | 62 |
Conclusion
Choosing the right MJF 3D printing material is more than just selecting a polymer; it’s making a strategic engineering decision that balances performance, cost, and manufacturability. To make an informed decision, engineers must clearly define their project requirements to ensure the selected material delivers the necessary properties to meet both functional and economic goals.
By aligning your material selection with real-world application demands, engineers can optimize product longevity, streamline manufacturing, and reduce the total cost of ownership. If you’re still evaluating options, our engineering team can provide application-specific testing, design for additive manufacturing (DfAM) guidance, and performance validation.
