Alumide · reinforced grade
Alumide Aluminum-Filled
Properties of the Aluminum-Filled condition, compared with the other Alumide grades.
The nominal filled formulation itself — choose when the datasheet must state the metal-filled composition, higher stiffness and thermal conductivity versus plain PA12.
What is Alumide Aluminum-Filled?
Alumide Aluminum-Filled is Alumide in the Aluminum-Filled grade — the nominal filled formulation itself — choose when the datasheet must state the metal-filled composition, higher stiffness and thermal conductivity versus plain PA12. Alumide Aluminum-Filled has a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi), stronger than 51% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 3.5% and the elastic modulus is 3.8 GPa (0.551 Msi). Alumide Aluminum-Filled 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). Standard is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Aluminum-Filled is available on request or by drawing note.
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 84% of polymer grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 78% 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
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 81% of polymer grades
- Limited ductility — 3.5%, worse than 80% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.36 g/cm³ (0.0491 lb/in³), worse than 75% of polymer grades
Alumide Aluminum-Filled properties
Typical room-temperature values for Alumide Aluminum-Filled — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every Alumide grade. Each bar shows where the value sits among the polymer grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical5
Alumide Aluminum-Filled 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 Aluminum-Filled has a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi), stronger than 51% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 3.5% and the elastic modulus is 3.8 GPa (0.551 Msi).
Thermal10
Alumide Aluminum-Filled 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 Aluminum-Filled has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹¹ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), worse than 72% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of Alumide Aluminum-Filled 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 Aluminum-Filled's machinability is good (58/100, worse than 55% of polymer grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other Alumide grades and fills
Alumide is also supplied in 2 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the Alumide overview.
- StandardDefaultDefault as-built SLS condition (bead-blasted, no further finishing) — use for functional tooling and metallic-look prototypes.48 MPa tensile
- Aluminum-FilledThe nominal filled formulation itself — choose when the datasheet must state the metal-filled composition, higher stiffness and thermal conductivity versus plain PA12.48 MPa tensile
Working with Alumide Aluminum-Filled
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.
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.
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 | — |
Alumide Aluminum-Filled — frequently asked
What is Alumide Aluminum-Filled used for?
Alumide Aluminum-Filled 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 Aluminum-Filled?
Alumide Aluminum-Filled has a typical tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) — stronger than 51% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is Alumide Aluminum-Filled easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, worse than 55% 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 Aluminum-Filled 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 Aluminum-Filled?
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 Aluminum-Filled 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 Aluminum-Filled?
Alumide Aluminum-Filled 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in Alumide Aluminum-Filled?
Yes — Alumide Aluminum-Filled 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.