---
title: "Vapor Smoothing SLS Nylon 11 (PA11) | AMT PostPro"
description: "AMT and Arkema smoothed SLS Rilsan PA11 on PostPro3D: lower roughness, higher elongation at break and break stress, tensile strength unchanged."
canonical: https://amtechnologies.com/resources/whitepapers/sls-printed-nylon-11-parts/
updated: 2026-10-06
type: whitepaper
---
Whitepaper · Arkema Rilsan PA11

# Improving SLS nylon 11 parts with vapor smoothing

AMT and Arkema studied how AMT’s Boundary Layer Automated Smoothing Technology, run on the PostPro3D machine, changes the surface and mechanical properties of SLS-printed nylon 11 parts.

[Read the whitepaper (PDF, opens in a new tab)](https://6983077.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/6983077/Website/Whitepapers/AMT_WP_NYLON_SLS%20NYLON11%20WHITE.pdf?ver=2) [Test your parts](https://amtechnologies.com/test-your-parts/)

Published Nov 7, 2022 Free download, no form

![Cover of the whitepaper “Improving SLS nylon 11 parts with vapor smoothing”](https://amtechnologies.com/img/resources/wp-arkema-pa11-720.webp)

- **With**: Arkema
- **Material**: Arkema Rilsan PA11
- **Printing**: SLS
- **Tested on**: PostPro3D
- **Published**: Nov 7, 2022

Source: [Arkema whitepaper, amtechnologies.com](https://amtechnologies.com/resources/whitepapers/sls-printed-nylon-11-parts/) [PDF (opens in a new tab)](https://6983077.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/6983077/Website/Whitepapers/AMT_WP_NYLON_SLS%20NYLON11%20WHITE.pdf?ver=2) published Nov 7, 2022

Published Nov 2022. These tests ran on PostPro3D, the earlier generation of AMT’s automated vapor smoothing systems; today’s systems are the [PostPro SF range](https://amtechnologies.com/products/vapor-smoothing/).

## The material

Arkema’s Rilsan PA11 is a nylon derived from the castor plant, with more elasticity, ductility and impact resistance than PA12. It is used in automotive, medical and aerospace applications.

## Test method

Sets of nylon 11 tensile specimens were processed at three surface finish settings (Finish 1 to 3) on the PostPro3D and tested for tensile strength, modulus and surface roughness to ISO standards.

## Results

Post-processing reduced surface roughness to a finish comparable to injection molding and made the parts more hydrophobic by removing surface porosity. Elongation at break and break stress increased markedly, with no significant change in tensile strength or modulus.[PDF](https://6983077.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/6983077/Website/Whitepapers/AMT_WP_NYLON_SLS%20NYLON11%20WHITE.pdf?ver=2)

Key finding

Higher elongation at break and break stress; tensile strength and modulus unchanged[PDF](https://6983077.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/6983077/Website/Whitepapers/AMT_WP_NYLON_SLS%20NYLON11%20WHITE.pdf?ver=2)

Full whitepaper

Method, data and charts in the PDF. Free, no form to fill in.

[Download the PDF (opens in a new tab)](https://6983077.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/6983077/Website/Whitepapers/AMT_WP_NYLON_SLS%20NYLON11%20WHITE.pdf?ver=2)

Related

- [Compatible materials lists](https://amtechnologies.com/resources/documents/)
- [What is vapor smoothing?](https://amtechnologies.com/learn/what-is-vapor-smoothing/)
- [All whitepapers](https://amtechnologies.com/resources/whitepapers/)

Test your parts

## Send us a part. See it smoothed.

We vapor smooth your own parts and send them back with the results. No cost to evaluate · Parts returned · Typical turnaround 2–3 weeks[1]

[Test your parts](https://amtechnologies.com/test-your-parts/) [See the systems](https://amtechnologies.com/products/vapor-smoothing/)

## Sources

1. [PostPro benchmarking: send us your 3D printed parts](https://benchmarking.amtechnologies.com/) · AMT · read Oct 6, 2026