Alumide
also EOS Alumide, AluPA
Alumide is a laser-sintering (SLS) powder based on polyamide 12 (PA12) filled with about 40 wt% (roughly 20 vol%) fine aluminium powder, producing grey parts with a metallic sheen that can be sanded, polished or machined to a metal-like appearance.
Alumide grades and fills
Alumide is supplied in one standard condition, Aluminum-Filled.
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways Alumide is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
Polished | Polished / ground | Surface finish |
StandardDefault | As-sintered aluminium-filled PA12 | Standard supply |
What is Alumide?
Alumide is a laser-sintering (SLS) powder based on polyamide 12 (PA12) filled with about 40 wt% (roughly 20 vol%) fine aluminium powder, producing grey parts with a metallic sheen that can be sanded, polished or machined to a metal-like appearance. Compared with unfilled PA12 it offers markedly higher stiffness (3.8 GPa modulus), heat resistance to about 100 °C, better thermal conductivity and good dimensional stability at 1.36 g/cm³ and 48 MPa tensile strength, which suits jigs, metallic-look show parts, wind-tunnel and automotive models and short-run mould inserts. The limits are low elongation at break of 3–4%, poor toughness, an aluminium filler that abrades tools and sieves, and a filler loading below the percolation threshold, so the material remains electrically insulating. Alumide has a density of 1.36 g/cm³ (0.0491 lb/in³), heavier than 75% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 48°C (118 °F). Alumide has a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi), stronger than 52% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 3.5% and the elastic modulus is 3.8 GPa (0.551 Msi).
What is Alumide used for?
- Design and styling models
- Metallic-appearance show parts
- Jigs and fixtures
- Wind-tunnel and automotive models
- Short-run mould inserts
- Stiff housings and brackets
- Inspection gauges
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 0.5 W/m·K (0.289 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of polymer grades
- Stiff — 3.8 GPa (0.551 Msi), better than 85% of polymer grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 77% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 87% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 8 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 83% of polymer grades
- Limited ductility — 3.5%, worse than 79% of polymer grades
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.36 g/cm³ (0.0491 lb/in³), worse than 75% of polymer grades
Alumide properties
Typical room-temperature values in the Standard condition; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
Alumide has a density of 1.36 g/cm³ (0.0491 lb/in³), heavier than 75% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 48°C (118 °F).
Mechanical10
Alumide has a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi), stronger than 52% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 3.5% and the elastic modulus is 3.8 GPa (0.551 Msi).
Thermal10
Alumide is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 0.5 W/m·K (0.289 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 80 µm/m·K (44.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
Alumide has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹¹ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), worse than 70% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of Alumide takes about 150 MJ of energy and emits 8 kg of CO₂ — more than 84% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability4
Alumide's machinability is good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. Alumide is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Alumide
Is Alumide easy to machine?
Machines and drills easily but the aluminium filler is abrasive — use sharp carbide tools, high speed, light feed and dust extraction; avoid coolant soak to limit moisture pick-up.
Can Alumide be welded?
Not weldable in practice; join by cyanoacrylate/epoxy adhesive, threaded inserts or ultrasonic staking.
Can Alumide be formed, bent or molded?
Processed only by laser sintering (build chamber ~165–172 °C, layer 0.10–0.15 mm); brittle at 3–4% elongation so no cold forming or snap-fit flexing, and design in 3.0–3.5% scaling/shrink compensation.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to Alumide. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
3D printing
| Technologies | SLS |
|---|---|
| Layer height | 50 – 300 µmdefault 100 µm |
| Minimum wall / feature | 1 / 0.5 mm |
| Build envelope | 300 × 300 × 380 mm |
| Supports | Yes |
| Anisotropy | Moderate |
Alumide chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| aluminium powder (filler)≈20 vol%; median particle size ~20–40 µm | 35 – 45 | 40 |
| flow additives / pigmentsfumed silica-type free-flow agent | 0 – 1 | 0.3 |
| polyamide 12 (PA12)laser-sintering grade base polymer | balance |
What surface finishes work on Alumide?
Bead blast, tumble, sand or wire-brush to expose the aluminium and give a metallic sheen; can be lacquered, dyed or painted, but not electroplated or anodised.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on polymer parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Coating
Coloring
Metallization / Functional
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Alumide in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- EOS AlumideAluPA
- Also called
- Aluminum Filled Nylon
How much does Alumide cost?
Alumide is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 62% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Alumide — frequently asked
What is Alumide used for?
Alumide is typically used for design and styling models, metallic-appearance show parts, jigs and fixtures, wind-tunnel and automotive models, short-run mould inserts and stiff housings and brackets. In short: aluminum-filled SLS nylon.
What is the tensile strength of Alumide?
Alumide has a typical tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) — stronger than 52% of polymer grades.
Is Alumide easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades). Machines and drills easily but the aluminium filler is abrasive — use sharp carbide tools, high speed, light feed and dust extraction; avoid coolant soak to limit moisture pick-up.
Can Alumide be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Not weldable in practice; join by cyanoacrylate/epoxy adhesive, threaded inserts or ultrasonic staking.
What surface finishes work on Alumide?
Bead blast, tumble, sand or wire-brush to expose the aluminium and give a metallic sheen; can be lacquered, dyed or painted, but not electroplated or anodised.
Can Alumide be formed, bent or molded?
Processed only by laser sintering (build chamber ~165–172 °C, layer 0.10–0.15 mm); brittle at 3–4% elongation so no cold forming or snap-fit flexing, and design in 3.0–3.5% scaling/shrink compensation.
What is the maximum service temperature of Alumide?
Alumide is rated for continuous use to about 100°C (212 °F), and briefly to 140°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does Alumide cost?
Alumide is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 62% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in Alumide?
Yes — Alumide is available for 3D printing with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Alumide material data sheet (laser-sintering powder) — EOS GmbH (2022)
- PA12 / filled PA12 property records — CAMPUS Plastics (2023)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- ISO 527 / ISO 178 / ISO 868 / ISO 75 test methods — ISO (2019)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.