Overview – SLS PA12 PA2200
As our flagship offering, SLS PA12 (EOS PA2200) is widely regarded as the most versatile material in 3D printing. Having been around since the dawn of Powder Bed Fusion, it is also arguably the most established material too. Combining excellent material properties with affordability, SLS PA12 is ideal not only for prototyping but also for batch and series manufacturing. Its applications span across diverse sectors including manufacturing, medical, aerospace, automotive, marine, and the arts.
One of the key advantages of SLS PA12 is its precision. It consistently delivers parts that closely match the STL file, minimising warping compared to MJF PA12 and avoiding the shrinkage issues associated with SLA or FDM technologies. In most cases, and as long as you model your parts by our design guidelines, what you send to the printer, is what you get back from the printer.
Maximum size of a part we can print in one piece:
600mm x 300mm x 300mm (Economy & Trade service)
310mm x 236mm x 186mm (Express)
SLS PA12 is highly recommended for
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Accuracy and repeatability – With our RAMP calibration systems, parts are more accurate than OEM set machines - +
Printing in white or colours – SLS PA12 is our only offering that can be printed in white and dyed a number of other colours - +
Medical and skin-safe applications – certified as non-irritant and shows no cytotoxic effect
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Food Safe products – FDA approved for food contact (undyed) - +
Resistance to warping – though not immune, it is the least affected material we offer. - +
Chemical and water resistance – great material for prolonged durability in harsh conditions
Mechanical properties
In the chart below you can compare the main mechanical properties of SLS PA12 PA2200 against our other materials. To make it easier to compare, we have given each value a rating out of 5 (0.5 increments). This can also be seen in the table below. You can toggle each material visibility on/off using the buttons on the right.
Properties
Accuracy
Expected: 0.1mm or 0.1%
Guaranteed: 0.3mm or 0.3%
Repeatability
One of our most repeatable materials, perfect for batch production.
Strength
Great material in terms of tensile and impact resistance. [data below]
Flexibility
Great flexibility, suitable for snap fits.
Melting point
Great thermal resistance with a melting point of 180 degrees C
Resistance to Warping
No thermoplastic is resistant to warping, however, SLS PA12 is the least affected and the easiest to re-work.
Elemental and UV Degradation
Great resistance to the elements can be used for outdoor products.
Chemical and Water Resistance
Has great chemical and water resistance.
Technical Data
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Mean | Unit | Test Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 45 (7397) | MPa (psi) | DIN EN ISO 527 |
| Elongation at Break | 20 | % | DIN EN ISO 527 |
| Flexural Modulus | 1240 | MPa/psi | DIN EN ISO 178 |
| Melting Point | 181 | °C | DIN EN ISO 306 |
Datasheets
For more information on SLS PA12 please download the datasheet you require from the list below. If you have any further questions please feel free to give us a call to discuss your project.
Colours Available
White, Black, Blue, Green, Red, Yellow, and custom on request.
Certifications
Flame Retardancy
Yes, SLS PA12 has UL94 HB certification.
Food Grade
Yes, SLS PA12 is certified as food-safe if undyed, i.e. white only.
Skin Safe
Yes, SLS PA12 is certified as non-irritant and shows no cytotoxic effect.
ESD
SAF PA11 is not classed as an ESD safe material.
3DPRINTUK observations while working with SLS PA12
Small holes – smaller holes (below 10mm diameter) tend to be slightly elliptical on the upper side if printed up the Z axis. We run a few compensation processes to reduce this, however, this does not totally eliminate it, resulting in a slightly flat top to the circle.
Cleanliness – when a part is left in its natural finish, it can be prone to getting dirty easily. If this is an issue, we recommend polishing or shotpeening.
Small internal diameters – these can print fractionally undersized (around 0.2mm) for chunky parts with small holes below 10mm. This is due to the heat around the part causing thermal bleed and resulting in a fractionally larger melt pool than is desired.
Talk to Andrew, our Head of Technical Sales, and discover how our services can save you time and money while achieving the highest quality prints.
Appearance and finishes available
Natural
This is as it comes off the machine. Parts have a granular texture similar to an extra strong mint and is the roughest of all the finishes. Ideal for parts with thin walls, or finer details that may get damaged in the other processes.
Polished
Use our vibro polishing service to take the roughness away from the natural finish. The result takes the surface from the texture of an extra strong mint to a softmint/mentos. This process is both low cost and high impact, but can cause damage to delicate parts below 2mm wall thickness. It is ideal if you are looking to paint parts afterward.
Natural Dyed
This is using our DM60 deep dye machines – takes parts from their natural colour to black or other colours. Can be used in conjunction with all other finishing processes. Parts are coloured on the surface only and can be used for applications that involve skin contact.
Polished & Dyed
This is using our vibro polishing machines – a rough abrasive process that smoothens the outside of the part from an extra strong mint type texture to a surface similar to a softmint/mentos. Not suitable for thin walls or features.
Colours available:
White, Black, Blue, Green, Red, Yellow or Custom (please enquire)
Shotpeen & Dyed
This uses our fleet of Dyemansion Powershot S’s – a less abrasive finish that provides a more premium satin/semi-gloss sheen to the parts. By far the best value for money finish we offer. More suitable than polishing for thinner walled and higher detailed parts.
Vapour Smoothed
Our vapour smoothing service allows you to have a gloss finish on your parts. The process not only enhances the surface finish, but also improves the strength of the parts, reduces friction, enhances the colour (black only), improves air and water tightness as well as other benifits.
Design Guidelines, Maximums and Minimums
Max Print Size
This is the maximum size we can print a part in one piece
Express: 310 x 236 x 186mm
Economy and trade: 600 x 300 x 300mm
Min Wall Thickness
This is the minimum wall thickness we can guarantee to print. You are able to print under this guarantee at your own risk, however, prints under our guarantee are not covered for a free reprint if damaged.
Natural: 1mm
Shotpeen: 1.5mm
Polished: 2mm
Min Embossed Thickness
This is the minimum thickness a surface detail can be – this includes text and small intricate details. Note the thickness stroke width, not the width of the entire letter if referring to text.
Width: 0.5mm
height: 0.3mm
Min Engraved Thickness
This is the minimum thickness a engraved surface detail can be – this includes text and small intricate details. Note the thickness stroke width, not the width of the entire letter if referring to text.
Width (except shotpeen): 0.5mm
Width (shotpeen): 0.7mm
Depth: 0.3mm
Min Hole Sizes
This is the minimum diameter of a hole. As a rule of thumb, the longer the hole, the larger the diameter is required to prevent them from blocking with powder. It is best to avoid long and twisting holes as these are near impossible to clear the powder from post-print.
<2mm depth: 1mm
2-5mm depth: 2mm
5-10mm depth: 3mm
10mm+: at least 4mm
*Powder may not be able to be cleared out of holes longer than 30mm
Clearance
This is the minimum gap required between two separate parts that are designed to fit together, such as a case and a lid. This is the distance between surface faces – remember that this is each side meaning that you need to double this measurement if the whole part is interlocking. e.g. if a shaft is going into a hole, 0.15mm between surfaces means 0.3mm between diameters.
Tight fit: 0.15mm
Smooth fit: 0.25mm
Flat/Warpable Parts
Flat parts are prone to warping. Warping is where the part cools at different rates causing geometrical changes in the object. It is best to try to avoid these shapes where possible, or contact us to ask for advice.
Limitation: part dependant – ask us if you are concerned.
Min Sharp Angle
This is the minium angle recommended without a fillet or chamfer. Parts with sharp angles tend to get damaged in the print or post-processing stages. Anything sharper than the minimum angle is recommended to have a fillet.
Min Angle: 60°
Sharp Angle Fillet
Anything sharper than our minimum guaranteed angle is recommended to have a filleted edge. Filleted edges are far stronger than sharp edges and are less prone to damage in either post-processing or print stages.
Min Fillet: 1mm
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