Difference Between Nylon and Polyamide

The difference between nylon and polyamide is a common point of confusion for engineers, manufacturers, and product designers. These materials are widely used in various industries, particularly in 3D printing. While nylon is a type of polyamide, not all polyamides are nylons. Understanding their properties and applications helps in selecting the right material for specific 3D printing needs.

What Are Polyamides and How Do They Differ from Nylon

Polyamides are a broad category of polymers that can be naturally occurring, like proteins and silk, or synthetically manufactured. Synthetic polyamides include materials such as nylon, PA12, PA11, and aramid, each with unique properties suited for different applications. Nylon, developed by DuPont in the 1930s, was the first commercially successful synthetic polyamide and became widely used due to its strength, flexibility, and resistance to wear and chemicals. While all nylons are polyamides, not all polyamides fall under the nylon classification.

More details on polyamides can be found in Encyclopedia Britannica and DuPont’s technical resources.

Difference between Polyamide and Nylon in Terms of 3D Printing

One of the areas where polyamides see significant use is 3D printing, where they serve as core materials for Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). However, the materials used in these technologies differ significantly.

• SLS Printing: Commonly utilizes PA12, PA11, and PA6 polyamide powders, which are well-suited for functional prototypes and end-use parts. PA12 remains the most used due to low moisture absorption, excellent mechanical properties, and high chemical resistance, making it suitable for industrial-grade applications. PA6 is also used in SLS but requires more controlled processing conditions due to its higher moisture absorption.

  
  

• FDM Printing: Uses nylon filaments, which are typically Nylon 6 or Nylon 6,6-based materials. These filaments provide strength and durability, though they require controlled printing conditions to prevent warping and ensure dimensional stability.

  
  

Manufacturing Considerations Resulting from the Difference between Nylon and Polyamide

When considering high-volume production or customized prototyping, selecting the right polyamide-based material is very important. Bulk 3D printing offers cost-effective solutions for scaling production using polyamide-based materials, but the printing method plays a vital role in determining material performance.

• SLS Printing Advantages: High precision, durability, and suitability for complex geometries without requiring support structures.

• FDM Printing Advantages: Cost-effective filament-based printing that is widely accessible but requires specific printing conditions to optimize performance.

• Material Post-Processing: SLS prints often require media blasting or chemical smoothing to enhance surface quality, while FDM prints may need finishing techniques to improve their visual appeal.

  
  

Key Difference between Nylon and Polyamide

To clarify the difference between nylon and polyamide in 3D printing applications:

• SLS uses PA12, PA11, and PA6 polyamide powders, while FDM utilizes nylon filaments such as Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6.

• SLS provides superior mechanical properties and moisture resistance, whereas FDM is more accessible but requires careful handling to avoid warping.

• Different processing techniques and applications apply depending on the polyamide material selected.

• Post-processing methods vary, with SLS requiring powder removal and FDM benefiting from surface finishing.

  
  

For those considering 3D printing with polyamides and trying to find out the difference between polyamide and nylon from the 3D printing perspective, working with a professional 3D printing service ensures optimal material selection and part performance. Our company will be glad to discuss your project needs and offer SLS 3D printing services or 3D printing using FDM technology. Proper material selection helps maximize durability, precision, and efficiency, making polyamide-based printing a preferred solution for industrial and engineering applications.