Polyamides in FDM: Nylon 6, Nylon 12, and Their Competitive Position Against PETG and ABS
Nylon filaments offer tensile strength of 40–70 MPa with the highest impact resistance among non-flexible FDM materials — but their hygroscopic nature (absorbing 2–8% moisture by weight) demands rigorous drying protocols and fundamentally alters mechanical properties in humid environments. We compare PA6, PA12, and glass-filled variants against PETG and ABS across six performance dimensions.
Nylon (polyamide) menawarkan kombinasi unik: tensile strength hingga 70 MPa, impact resistance terbaik di kelas non-flexible filaments, dan ketahanan kimia yang superior. Namun, sifat higroskopisnya yang ekstrem — menyerap 2–8% moisture dari udara dalam 24–48 jam — menciptakan tantangan printing yang signifikan.
PA6 vs PA12: Perbedaan Fundamental
| Property | PA6 (Nylon 6) | PA12 (Nylon 12) |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 60–70 MPa | 40–50 MPa |
| Moisture Absorption (24h) | 2.5–3.5% | 0.8–1.2% |
| Print Temperature | 250–270°C | 240–260°C |
| Chemical Resistance | High | Very High |
The Moisture Problem
Nylon yang tidak dikeringkan menghasilkan print dengan surface finish kasar (steam bubbles), layer adhesion buruk, dan mechanical properties 30–50% di bawah spesifikasi. Drying protocol: 80–90°C selama 6–12 jam. Setelah kering, simpan dalam sealed container dengan desiccant dancetak langsung dari dry box.
Moisture Conditioning: Ironi yang Penting
Nylon bone-dry bersifat getas. Setelah menyerap 1.5–2.5% moisture (proses conditioning dengan merendam dalam air 24 jam setelah printing), impact strength meningkat 2–3× sementara tensile strength sedikit menurun. PA6 conditioned: tensile ~50 MPa, elongation 50–150%.
Referensi
- [1] Protolabs Network — FDM nylon properties
- [2] Stratasys — FDM Nylon-CF10 datasheet
- [3] Bambu Lab Wiki — PA6-CF comparison
- [4] MDPI Polymers (2021) — nylon FDM review
- [5] ASTM D570 — water absorption of plastics
- [6] PMC (2023) — humidity effects on mechanical properties
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