PA11
also Rilsan
PA11 is a bio-based semi-crystalline polyamide polymerised from castor-oil-derived 11-aminoundecanoic acid (Rilsan B), supplied as powder for selective laser sintering and Multi Jet Fusion.
PA11 grades and fills
PA11 is supplied in 17 conditions, soft to hard.
- COND
- FR
- ESD
- GF
- Arkema Rilsan Invent Natural
- EOS PA 1102 black
- EOS PA 1101 ClimateNeutral
- Formlabs Nylon 11
- EOS PA 1101
- Forward AM Ultrasint PA11
- HP PA 11
- HP PA 11 Gen2
- Sinterit PA11 Onyx
- CF
- Formlabs Nylon 11 CF
- Sinterit PA11 CF
- Forward AM Ultrasint PA11 Black CF
Compare all 17 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conditioned | PA11 moisture-conditioned to equilibrium at 50% RH: water plasticizes the amide phase, lowering modulus and strength while raising ductility and impact toughness. | 36 | 45 | 120 | 72 Shore D |
Flame-retardant PA11 powder | Specify for aircraft interior, rail and electrical enclosure parts needing V-0 / FAR 25.853 compliance. | 36 | 40 | 15 | 76 Shore D |
Static-dissipative / conductive-filled PA11 powder | For electronics handling trays, fuel-system components and fixtures requiring controlled surface resistivity. | 38 | 44 | 15 | 77 Shore D |
Glass-bead / glass-fiber filled PA11 powder | Use when stiffness, dimensional stability and elevated-temperature rigidity matter more than ductility. | 42 | 6 | 82 Shore D | |
SLS powder | 45 | 45 | 77 Shore D | ||
SLS powder | 48 | 30 | |||
SLS powder | 48 | 45 | |||
Formlabs Nylon 11 Powder · SLS powder | A bio-based, highly ductile PA11 powder for flexible, impact-resistant functional and medical parts. | 49 | 40 | ||
SLS powder | 50 | 30 | 75 Shore D | ||
SLS powder | 52 | 28 | |||
HP 3D High Reusability PA 11 · MJF powder | A ductile bio-based PA 11 for impact-resistant functional parts, living hinges, and flexible production geometries. | 52 | 50 | 80 Shore D | |
HP 3D High Reusability PA 11 Gen2 · MJF powder | A second-generation ductile bio-based PA 11 for repeatable final-use production with improved powder efficiency. | 52 | 35 | ||
SLS powder | 55 | 31.6 | 76 Shore D | ||
Carbon-fiber reinforced PA11 powder | Highest stiffness-to-weight printed PA11; for jigs, brackets and motorsport parts where deflection must be minimized. | 60 | 65 | 5 | 82 Shore D |
Formlabs Nylon 11 CF Powder · SLS powder | A carbon-fiber-filled PA11 powder for strong, lightweight, impact-resistant parts that remain stable at elevated temperatures. | 69 | 9 | ||
SLS powder | 81 | 24.5 | 81 Shore D | ||
SLS powder | 82 | 7 |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways PA11 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
MJF | HP Multi Jet Fusion PA11 | Printing process |
MED | Biocompatible / skin-contact certified PA11 powder | Certification |
UnfilledDefault | Natural/black PA11 powder, laser-sintered | Standard supply |
DAM | Dry | Supply option |
What is PA11?
PA11 is a bio-based semi-crystalline polyamide polymerised from castor-oil-derived 11-aminoundecanoic acid (Rilsan B), supplied as powder for selective laser sintering and Multi Jet Fusion. Compared with PA12 it offers markedly higher toughness and elongation (45 %), better low-temperature impact and low moisture uptake, at 48 MPa tensile, 1.6 GPa modulus, Shore D 75 and 85 °C service. Limits are higher powder cost, greater crystallisation shrinkage and warpage, modest stiffness, and average UV and long-term performance above 90 °C when unmodified; PA12 powder is the cheaper, more dimensionally stable alternative. PA11 has a density of 1.03 g/cm³ (0.0372 lb/in³), lighter than 71% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 46°C (115 °F). PA11 has a yield strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) — weaker than 63% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 1.6 GPa (0.232 Msi).
What is PA11 used for?
- Flexible fuel lines
- Pneumatic tubing
- Living hinges and snap-fit enclosures
- Footwear midsoles
- Automotive functional brackets and ducts
- Sports equipment components
- Orthotics and prosthetic parts
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 3.5 MPa·√m (3.19 ksi·√in), better than 81% of polymer grades
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 55/100, better than 77% of polymer grades
PA11 properties
Typical room-temperature values in the Unfilled condition; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
PA11 has a density of 1.03 g/cm³ (0.0372 lb/in³), lighter than 71% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 46°C (115 °F).
Mechanical13
PA11 has a yield strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) — weaker than 63% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 1.6 GPa (0.232 Msi).
Thermal11
PA11 is rated for continuous service to 85°C (185 °F). It conducts heat at 0.25 W/m·K (0.144 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 72% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 120 µm/m·K (66.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical6
PA11 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 23 kV/mm (584.2 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (85/100), better than 65% of polymer grades. UV resistance is good.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of PA11 takes about 75 MJ of energy and emits 5 kg of CO₂ — less than 91% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability6
PA11's machinability is good (65/100, better than 66% of polymer grades); weldability very good (70/100).
Common Calculations5
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. PA11 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with PA11
Is PA11 easy to machine?
Machines cleanly with sharp, high-rake tools and air cooling; tough and slightly gummy, so use climb milling and avoid heat build-up that closes drilled holes.
Can PA11 be welded?
Hot-plate, hot-gas, ultrasonic and laser welding all work on PA11; solvent bonding is impractical — use cyanoacrylate or two-part polyurethane/epoxy after plasma or abrasive prep.
Can PA11 be formed, bent or molded?
Print with bed ~185–190 °C and slow, uniform cooling to limit curl; reuse powder at 30–70% refresh, dry powder before use, and scale parts ~2.5–3.5% for sinter shrinkage.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to PA11. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
3D printing
| Technologies | SLS, MJF |
|---|---|
| Layer height | 50 – 300 µmdefault 100 µm |
| Minimum wall / feature | 1 / 0.5 mm |
| Build envelope | 300 × 300 × 380 mm |
| Supports | Yes |
| Anisotropy | Moderate |
PA11 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 |
|---|---|---|
| flow/anti-caking additive (fumed silica)powder-bed processing aid | 0.05 – 0.5 | 0.2 |
| pigment (carbon black, black grades)PA1102 / MJF black grades only | 0.1 – 1.5 | 0.5 |
| poly(11-aminoundecanoic acid) / PA11 homcastor-oil derived, ~100% bio-based carbon; base unfilled powder | balance |
What surface finishes work on PA11?
Bead blasting, vibratory tumbling, chemical vapor smoothing and dyeing (black/colored) work well; PA11's low moisture pickup keeps dyed and painted parts dimensionally stable, but UV-stabilized topcoat is advised outdoors.
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 PA11 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- Rilsan
- Also called
- Nylon 11
How much does PA11 cost?
PA11 is a premium-cost polymer ($$$), pricier than about 57% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
PA11 — frequently asked
What is PA11 used for?
PA11 is typically used for flexible fuel lines, pneumatic tubing, living hinges and snap-fit enclosures, footwear midsoles, automotive functional brackets and ducts and sports equipment components. In short: flexible; durable nylon.
What is the yield strength of PA11?
PA11 has a typical yield strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) — weaker than 63% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 17 listed tempers.
Is PA11 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 66% of polymer grades). Machines cleanly with sharp, high-rake tools and air cooling; tough and slightly gummy, so use climb milling and avoid heat build-up that closes drilled holes.
Can PA11 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Hot-plate, hot-gas, ultrasonic and laser welding all work on PA11; solvent bonding is impractical — use cyanoacrylate or two-part polyurethane/epoxy after plasma or abrasive prep.
What surface finishes work on PA11?
Bead blasting, vibratory tumbling, chemical vapor smoothing and dyeing (black/colored) work well; PA11's low moisture pickup keeps dyed and painted parts dimensionally stable, but UV-stabilized topcoat is advised outdoors.
Can PA11 be formed, bent or molded?
Print with bed ~185–190 °C and slow, uniform cooling to limit curl; reuse powder at 30–70% refresh, dry powder before use, and scale parts ~2.5–3.5% for sinter shrinkage.
What is the maximum service temperature of PA11?
PA11 is rated for continuous use to about 85°C (185 °F), and briefly to 130°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does PA11 cost?
PA11 is a premium-cost polymer ($$$), pricier than about 57% 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 PA11?
Yes — PA11 is available for 3D printing with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- PA 1101 / PA 1102 black laser-sintering material data sheet — EOS GmbH (2023)
- HP 3D High Reusability PA 11 material data sheet — HP Inc. (2023)
- Rilsan PA11 resin and fine-powder technical data — Arkema (2022)
- PA 11 / PA 11-GF / PA 11-ESD laser sintering powders — Advanced Laser Materials (EOS North America) (2022)
- HP 3D High Reusability PA 11 Gen2 — Technical Data Sheet — HP (2025)
- CAMPUS polyamide 11 property records — CWFG / CAMPUS consortium (2023)
- Forward AM Ultrasint PA11 Black CF — Technical Data Sheet — Forward AM
- Arkema Rilsan Invent Natural — Technical Data Sheet — Arkema
- HP 3D High Reusability PA 11 — Technical Data Sheet — HP (2026)
- EOS PA 1101 — Technical Data Sheet — EOS
- EOS PA 1102 black — Technical Data Sheet — EOS
- EOS PA 1101 ClimateNeutral — Technical Data Sheet — EOS
- Formlabs Nylon 11 Powder — Technical Data Sheet — Formlabs (2021)
- Formlabs Nylon 11 CF Powder — Technical Data Sheet — Formlabs (2023)
- HP HP 3D High Reusability PA 11 — Technical Data Sheet — HP
- HP HP 3D High Reusability PA 11 Gen2 — Technical Data Sheet — HP
- Sinterit PA11 Onyx — Technical Data Sheet — Sinterit (2025)
- Sinterit PA11 CF — Technical Data Sheet — Sinterit (2025)
- Forward AM Ultrasint PA11 — Technical Data Sheet — Forward AM
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- ISO 527-2 / ISO 178 / ISO 75 plastics 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.