Materials · PA11 nylon
Vapor smoothing for PA11 nylon parts.
PA11 vapor smoothing reflows the porous surface of a 3D printed nylon 11 part into a smoother, sealed skin. PA11 is made from castor oil and is tougher and more flexible than PA12, which suits parts that flex, are worn or touch food. PostPro systems smooth PA11 from MJF · SLS · SAF · HSS1.
No cost to evaluate · Parts returned · Typical turnaround 2–3 weeks2
Why smooth PA11
Tough, flexible, and often in contact with people or food.
PA11 parts are chosen for toughness and flexibility, for orthoses, clips, hinges and food-handling parts. Their printed surface is still grainy and porous, which is exactly what those uses cannot have.
Food contact, tested
Parts printed in FABULOUS DETECT PA11 and finished with PostPro Pure were tested by an independent lab: Extractables well within regulatory limits under US FDA 21 CFR §177.15003.
Comfort against skin
Orthotics makers print orthoses in HP PA11 and vapor smooth them for skin contact and hygiene.5
Sealed and cleanable
A closed surface takes up less sweat, water and dirt, so parts clean up and stay clean.
No coating to crack
The part’s own surface is reflowed; there is no added layer to crack or peel when a PA11 part flexes.
Food contact
A validated route for food-contact parts.
AMT and FABULOUS tested vapor-smoothed DETECT PA11 for food contact. The result applies to that material finished with PostPro Pure.
Food contact
Extractables well within regulatory limits under US FDA 21 CFR §177.15003
Independent lab test FABULOUS DETECT PA11 · PostPro Pure
Read the food-contact validation Arkema PA11 SLS whitepaper
ScopeValidated for this material, finish and test. Other materials, agents and food types need their own testing. It is not an approval of the machine or the agent.
Agents and systems
Which agent, which machine.
PA11 runs with PostPro Pure on every system and with FA326 on the SF50 and SF100.
| Process | Material | PostPro Pure | FA326 | FA9202 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MJF | PA 116 | Listed | Listed | Not listed |
| SLS | PA 116 | Listed | Listed | Not listed |
| HSS | PA 11, PA 121 | Listed | Not listed | Not listed |
Listed by AMT— Not listedPostPro Pure runs in every PostPro system; FA326 on the SF50 and SF100; FA9202 for polypropylene.
- SFXDesktopPA11 listed
- SF2XDesktop, double chamberPA11 listed
- SF50ProductionPA11 listed
- SF100High volumePA11 listed
Material lists as published on each PostPro product page.4
In production
PA11 parts in service.
Published stories on vapor-smoothed PA11 parts.
OrthobrokerHP MJF · PA11 and TPU
Orthoses for daily wear
Reliable, consistent quality for both custom and serial production5
FABULOUSDETECT PA11 · PostPro Pure
Food-contact validation
Food-contact testing of vapor-smoothed DETECT PA11 parts.3
Questions
PA11 vapor smoothing: questions.
Short answers from AMT’s published tests and material lists. Anything else, ask an engineer.
Can PA11 be vapor smoothed?
Yes. PA11 from MJF · SLS · SAF · HSS1 is on AMT’s material lists, with PostPro Pure on every PostPro system and FA326 on the SF50 and SF100.
Can vapor-smoothed PA11 be used in contact with food?
For one tested combination, yes: parts printed in FABULOUS DETECT PA11 and finished with PostPro Pure were tested by an independent lab, with Extractables well within regulatory limits under US FDA 21 CFR §177.15003. Other materials and agents need their own testing.
Which consumable is used for PA11?
PostPro Pure on any PostPro system, or FA326 on the SF50 and SF100. The food-contact result above was measured with PostPro Pure.
Does vapor smoothing add a coating to PA11 parts?
No. It reflows a thin skin of the part’s own material, so there is no added layer. Send a part to check the feel of yours.
Next step
See the price. Run the numbers. Hold the part.
List prices are public and the cost-per-part math is yours to check, with no email needed for either. The free benchmark puts your own parts, vapor smoothed, in your hands.
-
01Quote
Build your quote
Pick a system and its options and get an itemized total on screen, from AMT’s published list prices.
-
02ROI
Calculate your ROI
Compare your cost per part with manual finishing, using your own labor rate and volumes. Every assumption is editable.
-
03Benchmark
Test your parts, free
Ship us your parts with a prepaid label. We vapor smooth them and send them back with before-and-after photos and a benchmark report.
No cost to evaluate · Parts returned · Typical turnaround 2–3 weeks2
Prices: AMT list prices, excluding tax and shipping; confirmed in your formal quote.
Not sure which system? Help me choose