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PA11 · other

PA11-DAM

Properties of the DAM condition, compared with the other PA11 grades.

PA11 tested dry-as-molded/printed (≤0.2% moisture): highest stiffness and strength, lower notched impact and slightly lower dielectric losses.

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What is PA11-DAM?

PA11-DAM is PA11 in the DAM condition — pA11 tested dry-as-molded/printed (≤0.2% moisture): highest stiffness and strength, lower notched impact and slightly lower dielectric losses. PA11-DAM has a yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) and a tensile strength of 54 MPa (7.83 ksi) — weaker than 62% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 1.4 GPa (0.203 Msi). PA11-DAM has a density of 1.03 g/cm³ (0.0372 lb/in³), lighter than 71% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 45°C (113 °F). Unfilled is the default condition FabDigit quotes; DAM is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Tough — resists crack growth — 3.5 MPa·√m (3.19 ksi·√in), better than 80% of polymer grades
  • Conducts heat well — 0.28 W/m·K (0.162 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 77% of polymer grades
  • Good UV / weathering resistance — 55/100, better than 77% of polymer grades

PA11-DAM properties

Typical room-temperature values for PA11-DAM — 44 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-DAM has a density of 1.03 g/cm³ (0.0372 lb/in³), lighter than 71% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 45°C (113 °F).

Density1.03 g/cm³0.04 lb/in³
Melting Temperature (Tm)188°C370 °F
Glass Transition (Tg)45°C113 °F
Water Absorption (24 h)0.3%
Water Absorption (Saturation)1.9%

Mechanical13

PA11-DAM has a yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) and a tensile strength of 54 MPa (7.83 ksi) — weaker than 62% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 1.4 GPa (0.203 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus1.4 GPa0.2 Msi
Shear Modulus0.5 GPa0.07 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.4
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)54 MPa7.8 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)45 MPa6.5 ksi
Elongation at Break50%
Compressive Strength55 MPa8 ksi
Flexural Strength58 MPa8.4 ksi
Flexural Modulus1.4 GPa0.2 Msi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)3.5 MPa·√m3.2 ksi·√in
Izod Impact, Notched50 J/m0.94 ft·lbf/in
Hardness, Shore D75 Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell R108 HRR

Thermal11

PA11-DAM is rated for continuous service to 85°C (185 °F). It conducts heat at 0.28 W/m·K (0.162 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 77% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 120 µm/m·K (66.7 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity0.28 W/m·K0.16 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity2,300 J/kg·K0.55 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)120 µm/m·K66.7 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)85°C185 °F
Min Service Temperature-40°C-40 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa145°C293 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa55°C131 °F
Vicat Softening Point (B50)170°C338 °F
Flammability (UL 94)HB
Limiting Oxygen Index25%
Max Service Temperature (short-term)140°C284 °F

Electrical6

PA11-DAM is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 25 kV/mm (635 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in
Dielectric Strength25 kV/mm635 V/mil
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)3.2
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)0.03
Volume Resistivity1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Surface Resistivity1×10¹³ Ω

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is very good (80/100), worse than 55% of polymer grades. UV resistance is good.

Corrosion ResistanceVery good80/100
UV / Weathering ResistanceGood55/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryVery good against fuels, oils, greases, hydraulic fluids, alcohols, salt solutions and dilute alkalis; attacked by strong mineral acids, phenols, formic acid and cresols; hot water/steam causes hydrolysis over time. Low moisture pickup keeps dimensions stable versus PA6/PA66.

Sustainability3

Producing a kilogram of PA11-DAM takes about 70 MJ of energy and emits 4 kg of CO₂ — less than 94% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)70 MJ/kg30,095 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)4 kg CO₂/kg
Typical Recycled Content40%

Manufacturability6

PA11-DAM's machinability is good (65/100, better than 66% of polymer grades); weldability very good (70/100).

MachinabilityGood65/100
WeldabilityVery good70/100
PolishabilityGood55/100
Mold Shrinkage1.2%
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)240°C464 °F
Mold Temperature (typ.)60°C140 °F

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.

Working with PA11-DAM

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
flow/anti-caking additive (fumed silica)powder-bed processing aid0.05 – 0.50.2
pigment (carbon black, black grades)PA1102 / MJF black grades only0.1 – 1.50.5
poly(11-aminoundecanoic acid) / PA11 homcastor-oil derived, ~100% bio-based carbon; base unfilled powderbalance

PA11-DAM — frequently asked

What is PA11-DAM used for?

PA11-DAM 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-DAM?

PA11-DAM has a typical yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) and a tensile strength of 54 MPa (7.83 ksi) — weaker than 62% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.

Is PA11-DAM 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-DAM 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-DAM?

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-DAM 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-DAM?

PA11-DAM is rated for continuous use to about 85°C (185 °F), and briefly to 140°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 COND?

Unfilled is the default condition — default choice for tough, ductile functional prototypes and end-use snap-fits, living hinges, ducts and footwear parts. COND: pA11 moisture-conditioned to equilibrium at 50% RH: water plasticizes the amide phase, lowering modulus and strength while raising ductility and impact toughness. Yield strength is 45 MPa in Unfilled versus 36 MPa in COND.

Can FabDigit make parts in PA11-DAM?

Yes — PA11-DAM is available for 3D printing with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.

Sources

  1. PA 1101 / PA 1102 black laser-sintering material data sheetEOS GmbH (2023)
  2. HP 3D High Reusability PA 11 material data sheetHP Inc. (2023)
  3. Rilsan PA11 resin and fine-powder technical dataArkema (2022)
  4. PA 11 / PA 11-GF / PA 11-ESD laser sintering powdersAdvanced Laser Materials (EOS North America) (2022)
  5. CAMPUS polyamide 11 property recordsCWFG / CAMPUS consortium (2023)
  6. Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering PlasticsASM International (1988)
  7. ISO 527-2 / ISO 178 / ISO 75 plastics test methodsISO (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.