| HS Code | 747911 |
| Material Family | Polyamide 11 (PA11) reinforced with glass fibers |
| Appearance | White powder |
| Average Particle Size D50 | 50 µm |
| Particle Size Range | 30-70 µm |
| Bulk Density | 0.45 g/cm³ |
| Part Density | 1.13 g/cm³ |
| Melting Temperature | 189 °C |
| Tensile Modulus | 3450 MPa |
| Tensile Strength | 38 MPa |
| Elongation At Break | 12 % |
| Flexural Modulus | 2900 MPa |
| Flexural Strength | 51 MPa |
| Charpy Impact Unnotched | 30 kJ/m² |
| Heat Deflection Temperature 1 80 Mpa | 70 °C |
As an accredited Prodways PA11-GF 3450 Powder for Laser Sintering factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Packaged in a sealed 10 kg container, Prodways PA11-GF 3450 powder is supplied ready for laser sintering, ensuring dry, safe handling. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | 20′ FCL container loading of Prodways PA11-GF 3450 powder: sealed drums on pallets, secure bracing, compliant handling, efficient space use. |
| Shipping | Prodways PA11-GF 3450 Powder ships as a non-hazardous, moisture-sensitive material in sealed containers. Avoid static ignition sources and dusty conditions during transfer. Keep dry and store in original packaging below 25°C. Use grounded equipment and respiratory protection when handling. Standard freight is acceptable; protect from impact and humidity. |
| Storage | Store Prodways PA11-GF 3450 powder in its original, tightly sealed container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Keep away from heat, ignition sources, strong oxidizers, and moisture. Avoid dust accumulation and static discharge. Maintain container closure when not in use to prevent contamination and ensure stability. |
| Shelf Life | Shelf life is typically 12 months from production when stored unopened, cool, dry, and protected from moisture and sunlight. |
Within turbocharged inlet air systems for low-volume vehicle programmes, laser-sintered glass-reinforced polyamide 11 powder is specified for compressor outlet adapters, plenum bodies and charge-air duct sections where cast aluminium tooling is not amortized. The application is driven by the need to survive −20 °C cold-start thermal shock and intermittent under-hood temperatures reaching 120 °C. In the X-Y build orientation, tensile properties are characterized following ISO 527-1:2019 and ISO 527-2:2019, with specimens conditioned at 23 °C and 50 % relative humidity for 88 h under ISO 291; elongation at break for this glass-filled product class is typically below 5 %, so bolt-hole stress concentrations are managed with sleeved metal inserts rather than relying on ductile local yielding. The recoating behaviour of glass-fibre powder diverges from unfilled PA12 because the fibres create a preferred orientation in the recoater flow field and produce anisotropic green density across the build cake. Sieve analysis before loading is performed using ASTM D1921; accumulation of fines below 20 µm above 5 wt% indicates electrostatic clustering and triggers fresh powder make-up at a controlled blend ratio. On laser sintering platforms operating with CO₂ sources, the contour scan is de-focussed or offset at thin wall sections because excessive energy density at the glass-fibre/polymer interface causes local char and porosity. Powder bed temperature, scan speed and laser power are validated on the target machine rather than transposed from unfilled PA11; published data for this specific configuration is limited.
The shift from unfilled PA12 to glass-reinforced PA11 for hydrocarbon contact parts is driven by polyamide 11’s long-chain backbone and its established qualification history in flexible pipe liners, not by an assumption that laser-sintered parts inherit that qualification. Polyamide 11 in extruded flexible riser service is supported by documents such as API 17J for unbonded flexible pipe; printed PA11-GF coupons require separate verification. A screening programme for a coupling prototype begins with fluid immersion at 60 °C for 7 days under ASTM D543, followed by tensile testing per ISO 527-1:2019. A mass change above 2.0 % or a tensile strength loss exceeding 15 % relative to dry controls indicates that the sintered skin is allowing fluid penetration through surface-connected porosity or along fibre-matrix interfaces. Density is determined on printed cubes using ISO 1183-1:2019; values noticeably below the supplier’s moulded compound density imply open porosity above 1 %. For sour-service exposure, compatibility screening follows ISO 23936-1 or customer-specific sour-fluid protocols, and published data for this specific configuration is limited. Threaded connections should avoid sharp roots below 0.5 mm radius because the low-elongation glass-filled PA11 cracks at stress concentrations when mated without metal inserts. If a metal insert is bonded in place, the adhesive bond line is tested after boiling water exposure for 30 min; pull-off adhesion is then measured under ISO 4624, with failure outside the sintered substrate rather than at the adhesive interface.
In aircraft cabin interior programmes, glass-reinforced polyamide 11 SLS is used to replace machined polyetherimide components for air-distribution grilles, insert panels and sidewall sensor brackets with low annual consumption. The material is not a drop-in flame-retardant grade; it enters the design review only after printed plaques demonstrate compliance with FAR 25.853(a) 60-second vertical burn and, for larger surfaces, 14 CFR 25.853(d) heat release rate testing using ASTM E1354 or ASTM E906. Because cabin humidity is low, moisture-induced modulus loss is limited; three-point flexural modulus is determined under ISO 178:2019 on specimens machined from printed slabs, and values for this product class typically lie in the 3–5 GPa range in the X-Y plane. Z-direction interlaminar shear is the controlling failure mode for louvre slats, so designers orient the part with the slat thickness parallel to the build Z-axis; this reduces visible contour stepping but increases build time by 20–35 % compared with flat orientation. Post-processing with glass bead blasting at 0.4–0.6 MPa is used to close surface pores before painting with waterborne cabin coatings. Paint adhesion is checked by ISO 2409 cross-cut after a 500 h humidity soak under ISO 6270-2, and any loss of adhesion beyond classification 2 rejects the finishing route. Because aerospace interior parts must be traceable, each build retains a test coupon printed in the same build chamber for density and flexural modulus verification.
Glass-filled PA11 SLS tooling is selected for weld-assembly fixtures where the part must maintain datum-pin position tolerances of ±0.15 mm after exposure to 85 °C and 85 % relative humidity for 200 h. Moisture uptake is measured on printed cubes per ISO 62; for this product class, saturated water absorption is below 3.0 %, lower than typical glass-filled PA6 SLS grades. Dimensional change is captured by conditioning the fixture in the same 85/85 chamber and measuring datum-to-datum distances with a coordinate measuring machine after 24 h, 72 h and 200 h; if the change exceeds 0.05 %, the fixture is not accepted for repeatability-critical station use. Because laser-sintered glass-filled PA11 has high notch sensitivity, fasteners are not threaded directly into printed bosses; helicoil-type inserts with M8 × 1.25 outer diameter are installed with a minimum boss wall thickness of 2.0 mm. Heat deflection temperature is determined under ISO 75-2:2013 method A at 1.8 MPa; published values for this material class are commonly between 150 °C and 185 °C, but the fixture is not used continuously above 100 °C because creep-induced relaxation of press-fit inserts accelerates. On production welding lines, the primary failure mode is impact damage from dropped tooling; notched Izod impact energy is measured under ISO 180 and is typically below 8 kJ/m², so corner radii are increased to 5 mm and unprotected faces are covered with polyurethane edge strips.
In short-run prosthetic socket trials and orthotic check sockets, glass-filled PA11 powder is used only with an inner liner or sealing film because exposed glass fibres at the sintered surface cause skin irritation under repeated shear loading and unsealed porosity retains perspiration and cleaning agents. The material is not eligible for implant use; for external medical devices with skin contact exceeding 24 h, cytotoxicity testing under ISO 10993-5:2009 and sensitization screening under ISO 10993-10:2021 are conducted on post-processed coupons, not raw powder. When the socket is used for a fitting trial, wall thickness is maintained between 3 mm and 5 mm in load-bearing zones; sections below 2 mm fail by delamination along the build Z-axis because glass-fibre reinforcement does not bridge interlayer boundaries effectively. The build orientation for a socket trial places the posterior trimline parallel to the build Z-axis; this maintains the longest unbroken skin path but increases build time by 25–40 % compared with a nested flat orientation. Surface sealing is achieved by vapour smoothing or by an epoxy coating cured at 60 °C for 90 min; if a coating is used, peel adhesion to the sintered PA11-GF substrate is evaluated by ISO 4624 pull-off and must exceed 5 MPa. Published data for this specific configuration is limited; each post-processing route must be revalidated because glass-fibre concentration at the part skin varies with build orientation and powder reuse ratio.
Electric drive unit programmes use glass-reinforced PA11 SLS for housing prototypes, busbar standoffs and connector brackets that require stable dielectric and mechanical performance across low-humidity and condensate-prone conditions. Dielectric strength of printed slabs is measured under IEC 60243-1:2013 in oil at 90 °C; comparative tracking index is tested per IEC 60112, and if the design requires a CTI above 600 V, unfilled grades are evaluated in parallel because glass reinforcement may reduce tracking resistance. The glass reinforcement reduces creep and maintains clamp force retention better than unfilled PA11 when the part is assembled with M6 titanium bolts at a tightening torque of 8–12 N·m. Direct exposure to silicone-based thermal interface materials can plasticize the sintered surface; compatibility is assessed by storing finished parts in contact with the specific TIM at 90 °C for 14 days under ASTM D543. The primary scaling barrier is powder reuse management: glass fibres fracture during subsequent build cartridges, and the retained fibre length distribution shifts toward fragments below 50 µm, reducing tensile modulus after multiple reuses in related glass-filled SLS powders. Operators therefore maintain a fixed virgin powder ratio of at least 50 % for electric drive prototypes and reject any build where the powder tap density falls below 0.65 g/cm³ following ASTM D7481.
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Prodways PA11-GF 3450 Powder for Laser Sintering is a glass-fiber-reinforced polyamide 11 powder supplied for powder-bed fusion on CO₂ laser-sintering platforms. The model designation identifies a filled PA11 chemistry in a stiffness class that separates it from unfilled PA11 and PA12 SLS powders. The powder is intended for functional prototypes, jigs, fixtures, and low-volume production parts where higher modulus and heat deflection temperature are required without conversion to metal tooling. Typical laser-sintering powder specifications for this class include a D50 particle size in the 40–60 µm range, a layer thickness of 0.10–0.12 mm, and a build chamber temperature near the PA11 melting point. Grade-specific values for fiber content, powder flow, and melt viscosity are controlled by certificate of analysis; published data for this specific configuration is limited, so production parameters are established through machine-specific mapping rather than direct transfer from unfilled PA11 data.
Glass-fiber reinforcement changes the coalescence mechanics of polyamide 11 during laser sintering. The solid fibers raise melt viscosity, retard melt pool spreading, and reduce the available supercooling range before solidification. On production-scale equipment equipped with 30–60 W CO₂ lasers, the build chamber temperature for glass-filled PA11 is typically maintained between 170°C and 195°C. Bed-temperature deviation outside the optimized setpoint is a primary cause of edge curl, layer delamination, and recoater collision. Operators commonly adjust bed temperature in 1°C increments and monitor the recoater force signature because curled edges lift above the powder bed and strike the recoater blade. Inert nitrogen atmosphere is applied with oxygen typically held below 1–2% by volume to limit oxidative degradation of the PA11 matrix. Laser parameters for initial design-of-experiments trials cover 25–55 W laser power, 6–10 m/s scan speed, and 0.10–0.12 mm layer thickness. The exact parameter set must be tuned for the specific Prodways PA11-GF 3450 lot because fiber length distribution and powder flow influence energy absorption.
Powder handling for glass-filled PA11 differs from unfilled polyamide 11 and PA12 in three operational areas: recoater wear, recycled powder stability, and moisture management. The abrasive glass fibers increase recoater torque and accelerate wear on recoater blades, powder skis, and cyclone filters. Field reports from production SLS lines using 60 W CO₂ laser systems indicate more frequent recoater blade inspections and higher filter loading when running filled PA11 at sustained duty cycles. Pre-drying is specified at temperatures not exceeding 80°C for 4–6 h when storage humidity exceeds 60% RH; higher drying temperatures may cause particle agglomeration and reduce flowability. Virgin powder refresh ratios are commonly maintained at 30–50% because recycled glass-filled powder undergoes fiber breakage and particle size distribution shift. Recycled material is sieved and blended under controlled conditions before return to the feed hopper. Moisture uptake is evaluated according to ISO 62; storage in sealed containers with desiccant or dry-air purging is required to prevent dimensional variability in sintered parts.
Design verification for the glass-filled PA11 grade is performed using tensile, flexural, thermal, and moisture-uptake test methods. Because grade-specific published values are limited, Table 1 reports representative literature ranges for laser-sintered polyamide 11 glass-fiber composites and are not batch-certified values for a specific Prodways production lot.
| Property | Test method | Unfilled PA11 | PA11-GF 3450 / filled PA11 family | PA12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile modulus | ISO 527-2:2012 | 1400–1800 MPa | 2800–4500 MPa | 1500–1800 MPa |
| Tensile strength | ISO 527-2:2012 | 45–55 MPa | 55–70 MPa | 40–50 MPa |
| Elongation at break | ISO 527-2:2012 | 20–40% | 3–6% | 15–30% |
| Flexural modulus | ISO 178:2019 | 1200–1600 MPa | 3000–5000 MPa | 1200–1600 MPa |
| Heat deflection temperature at 0.45 MPa | ISO 75-2:2013 | 90–110°C | 130–160°C | 80–100°C |
| Water absorption 24 h | ISO 62 | 0.25–0.35% | 0.20–0.30% | 0.20–0.30% |
Mechanical data for laser-sintered glass-filled PA11 are strongly orientation-dependent. Specimens printed in the Z axis commonly exhibit tensile strength reductions of 20–40% compared with XY orientation when tested according to ISO 527-2:2012. The anisotropy arises from incomplete interlayer coalescence and fiber alignment effects in the powder bed. Heat deflection temperature is reported at 0.45 MPa using ISO 75-2:2013 and is significantly higher for glass-filled formats than for unfilled PA11. The glass fiber also reduces elongation at break to below 6% in most filled grades; therefore the material is not selected where snap-fit deflection or high-velocity impact governs the application.
Polyamide 11 is hydrophilic, and the glass-filled grade undergoes measurable property shifts after moisture conditioning. Absorbed moisture reduces tensile modulus and increases elongation at break; the glass fiber fraction limits the elongation shift relative to unfilled PA11 but does not eliminate it. Components exposed to 50% RH are conditioned for 40 h before ISO 527-2 testing to approach equilibrium moisture content. Glass fiber also reduces the moisture-driven linear expansion coefficient, but dimensional stability claims should be validated with ISO 62 water absorption data. Post-sinter annealing is performed at 150–165°C for 30–60 min under dry conditions to relieve residual stress. Overheating during annealing can cause fiber-matrix debonding and a measurable drop in flexural strength measured according to ISO 178.
The substitution from unfilled PA11 to PA11-GF 3450 is driven by stiffness and heat deflection requirements. Compared with unfilled PA11, the glass-filled grade raises the tensile modulus from the 1400–1800 MPa range to the 2800–4500 MPa range and raises the heat deflection temperature at 0.45 MPa from approximately 90–110°C to 130–160°C. The penalty is ductility: elongation at break falls from 20–40% for unfilled PA11 to 3–6% for the glass-filled composite. Compared with PA12, the PA11 matrix contributes higher bio-based content and a different moisture and chemical resistance profile; PA12 may offer lower equilibrium moisture uptake and more stable powder recycling behavior. Glass-filled PA12 products can compete on stiffness, but PA11-GF is selected where the PA11 chemistry provides better low-temperature ductility and lower density. The material is not a direct drop-in replacement for unfilled PA12 because melt viscosity, bed temperature, and recoater settings must be revalidated.
Build orientation is selected to place primary tensile loads in the XY plane and to minimize Z-axis tensile dependency. For glass-filled PA11, tensile specimens printed in the Z orientation show lower ultimate tensile strength and lower fracture strain than XY specimens; this must be included in finite-element analysis inputs. Machining of sintered glass-filled parts is feasible, but the abrasive glass filler reduces tool life; carbide or diamond-coated tooling is specified for production trimming, drilling, and tapping. Bead blasting with glass or mineral media is used to remove surface powder and to create a uniform matte finish; process parameters are controlled to avoid embedding media into the surface. Dyeing of glass-filled PA11 is possible but color uptake is typically lighter than unfilled PA11 because the glass fibers do not absorb dye. Regulatory declarations for EU REACH and RoHS 2011/65/EU are lot-specific and should be requested from the powder supplier before production release.
For load-bearing brackets, fixture bodies, and structural housings, validation is performed with ISO 527-2:2012 tensile coupons and ISO 178:2019 three-point flexure specimens machined from the production build orientation. If the service environment includes humidity or elevated temperature, ISO 62 moisture-conditioned testing and ISO 75-2:2013 heat deflection testing are specified before release. Because published data for this specific configuration is limited, material substitution decisions are made from batch-specific test data rather than generic family values.
