PA11 · reinforced grade
PA11-CF
Properties of the CF condition, compared with the other PA11 grades.
Highest stiffness-to-weight printed PA11; for jigs, brackets and motorsport parts where deflection must be minimized.
What is PA11-CF?
PA11-CF is PA11 in the CF grade — highest stiffness-to-weight printed PA11; for jigs, brackets and motorsport parts where deflection must be minimized. PA11-CF has a yield strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) — weaker than 67% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 5.5 GPa (0.798 Msi). PA11-CF has a density of 1.08 g/cm³ (0.039 lb/in³), lighter than 66% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 46°C (115 °F). Unfilled is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CF is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Stiff — 5.5 GPa (0.798 Msi), better than 87% of polymer grades
- 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
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 45/100, worse than 77% of polymer grades
PA11-CF properties
Typical room-temperature values for PA11-CF — 9 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-CF has a density of 1.08 g/cm³ (0.039 lb/in³), lighter than 66% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 46°C (115 °F).
Mechanical13
PA11-CF has a yield strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) — weaker than 67% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 5.5 GPa (0.798 Msi).
Thermal11
PA11-CF is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °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 40 µm/m·K (22.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical6
PA11-CF 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-CF 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-CF's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 77% of polymer grades); weldability very good (70/100).
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-CF
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-CF — frequently asked
What is PA11-CF used for?
PA11-CF 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-CF?
PA11-CF has a typical yield strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) — weaker than 67% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is PA11-CF easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 77% 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-CF 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-CF?
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-CF 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-CF?
PA11-CF is rated for continuous use to about 100°C (212 °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-CF?
Yes — PA11-CF 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.