PA11 · grade · default condition
PA11 Unfilled
Properties of the Unfilled condition, compared with the other PA11 grades.
Default choice for tough, ductile functional prototypes and end-use snap-fits, living hinges, ducts and footwear parts.
What is PA11 Unfilled?
PA11 Unfilled is PA11 in the Unfilled grade — default choice for tough, ductile functional prototypes and end-use snap-fits, living hinges, ducts and footwear parts. PA11 Unfilled has a yield strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) — weaker than 67% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 1.6 GPa (0.232 Msi). PA11 Unfilled 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).
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 3.5 MPa·√m (3.19 ksi·√in), better than 80% of polymer grades
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 55/100, better than 77% of polymer grades
PA11 Unfilled properties
Typical room-temperature values for PA11 Unfilled — 12 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every PA11 grade. Each bar shows where the value sits among the polymer grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical5
PA11 Unfilled 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 Unfilled has a yield strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) — weaker than 67% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 1.6 GPa (0.232 Msi).
Thermal11
PA11 Unfilled 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 71% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 120 µm/m·K (66.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical6
PA11 Unfilled 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 63% of polymer grades. UV resistance is good.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of PA11 Unfilled 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 Unfilled'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.
Other PA11 grades and fills
PA11 is also supplied in 8 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the PA11 overview.
- UnfilledDefaultDefault choice for tough, ductile functional prototypes and end-use snap-fits, living hinges, ducts and footwear parts.48 MPa tensile
- CFHighest stiffness-to-weight printed PA11; for jigs, brackets and motorsport parts where deflection must be minimized.65 MPa tensile
- MJFPick for higher-throughput, near-isotropic parts with fine detail; slightly denser and more anisotropic in elongation than SLS.49 MPa tensile
- DAMPA11 tested dry-as-molded/printed (≤0.2% moisture): highest stiffness and strength, lower notched impact and slightly lower dielectric losses.45 MPa yield · 75 Shore D
- GFUse when stiffness, dimensional stability and elevated-temperature rigidity matter more than ductility.42 MPa tensile
- CONDPA11 moisture-conditioned to equilibrium at 50% RH: water plasticizes the amide phase, lowering modulus and strength while raising ductility and impact toughness.36 MPa yield · 72 Shore D
Working with PA11 Unfilled
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.
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.
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 | — |
PA11 Unfilled — frequently asked
What is PA11 Unfilled used for?
PA11 Unfilled 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 Unfilled?
PA11 Unfilled has a typical yield strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) — weaker than 67% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is PA11 Unfilled 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 Unfilled 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 Unfilled?
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 Unfilled 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 Unfilled?
PA11 Unfilled 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.
What is the difference between PA11 Unfilled and PA11-DAM?
Unfilled is the default condition — default choice for tough, ductile functional prototypes and end-use snap-fits, living hinges, ducts and footwear parts. DAM: pA11 tested dry-as-molded/printed (≤0.2% moisture): highest stiffness and strength, lower notched impact and slightly lower dielectric losses. Yield strength is 40 MPa in Unfilled versus 45 MPa in DAM.
Can FabDigit make parts in PA11 Unfilled?
Yes — PA11 Unfilled 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)
- CAMPUS polyamide 11 property records — CWFG / CAMPUS consortium (2023)
- 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.