Your Complete Guide to MJF 3D Printing Materials
The material you pick for an MJF 3D print decides everything, from part strength to cost per part. HP Multi Jet Fusion is an industrial 3D printing process and not an open materials platform. It runs on a closed set of HP-certified plastic materials, and each one behaves differently under load, heat, and chemical exposure.
In the MJF process, HP's Jet Fusion 3D printing technology deposits fusing and detailing agents onto a thin powder bed. The fusing agent defines part geometry, and the detailing agent sharpens edges for fine feature resolution. An infrared lamp fuses each solid layer, while unfused powder serves as a natural support structure. This gives MJF 3D printers more design freedom than filament-based 3D printing methods or binder jetting and produces 3D-printed parts with nearly isotropic mechanical properties, meaning they have similar strength in every direction. This is one of the key differences compared with selective laser sintering (SLS) and FDM, making material choice a major factor in how an MJF part performs.
At Amuse 3D, we run India's largest fleet of HP MJF 5620 3D printers from our 50,000 sq ft factory in Oragadam, near Chennai. We are part of the HP Digital Manufacturing Network, hold quality standards including ISO 9001:2015 and IATF 16949:2016, and serve more than 1,000 clients across India, the US, the UK, and over 30 countries.
Our MJF 3D printing material lineup includes PA12, PA11, PA12S, and PP. This guide covers HP-certified materials and their specifications to help you choose the right option for your next project.
What MJF 3D Printing Materials Are Available Today?
HP certifies a range of materials for its HP Jet Fusion 3D printers. Here is a comparison of the HP MJF material portfolio:
All values tested per ASTM D638 (tensile) and ASTM D648 (thermal), verified against HP datasheets.
In an MJF vs SLS comparison, MJF and SLS both work with nylon powders, but HP's MJF machines and Multi Jet Fusion printers fuse full layers at once rather than tracing each layer with a single laser. Compared with SLS systems and SLS technology, MJF is a faster 3D printing technology for production batches of 50 to 5,000+ parts. SLS 3D printing, FDM, and MJF each suit different volume ranges, but for mid-volume production, MJF's consistency makes your material choice a key factor in part performance.
PA12 (Nylon 12): The MJF Workhorse
PA12 is the most widely printed material in MJF 3D printing, handling roughly 80% of all builds worldwide. HP 3D High Reusability PA12 is enabled by Evonik and delivers a strong balance of stiffness, chemical resistance, and low moisture absorption.
Tensile strength: 48 MPa across both XY and Z axes (ASTM D638). Tensile modulus: 1,700 to 1,800 MPa. Elongation at break: 20% in XY, 15% in Z. Heat deflection temperature: 175°C at 0.45 MPa. Part density: 1.01 g/cm³. Powder reuse ratio: 80%.
PA12 is ideal for functional prototypes and end-use production parts. Think housings, brackets, clips, connectors, and jigs. The material resists oils, greases, and hydrocarbons. MJF-printed PA12 achieves watertight properties without post-processing at wall thicknesses above 1 mm.
If you produce prototypes and end-use parts at volumes of 50 to 5,000 units, PA12 on MJF delivers mechanical properties that can rival injection moulding, without the tooling costs. It remains the best starting point for most projects.
PA11 (Nylon 11): Built for Impact and Flexibility
When a part needs to survive repeated bending, snapping, or impact, PA11 is the better pick. It is a bio-based nylon derived from renewable castor oil, enabled by Arkema. For a detailed breakdown, see our PA11 vs PA12 comparison.
Tensile strength: 52 MPa. Elongation at break: 50%. Impact strength (Izod notched): 5 to 7 kJ/m². HDT: 185°C at 0.45 MPa. Powder reuse ratio: 70%.
PA11 stretches more than twice as far as PA12 before breaking and absorbs significantly more impact energy. That makes it the right choice for snap-fit assemblies, living hinges, wearable devices, prosthetics, and any component that flexes during use.
The trade-off: PA11 costs roughly 40 to 60% more than PA12 per part due to higher raw material costs and a lower powder reuse ratio. For projects where impact resistance is non-negotiable, the premium usually pays for itself.
PA12S: Smoother Surface, Same Core Strength
PA12S is a newer addition to HP's MJF portfolio, also enabled by Arkema. Recently introduced as PA12 S for a smoother surface finish, it uses a finer powder structure that produces a noticeably smoother result straight off the 3D printer.
Tensile strength: 43 to 45 MPa. Tensile modulus: 1,700 MPa. Elongation at break: 12%.
Mechanical properties sit close to standard PA12, with a slight dip in elongation. PA12S is worth considering when surface finish matters, for example on consumer-facing products, cosmetic enclosures, or prototypes headed into client presentations. Amuse 3D offers PA12S on our MJF printing line.
PP (Polypropylene): Chemical Resistance and Fatigue Life
Polypropylene is one of the most widely used plastics in traditional manufacturing, and HP's MJF version, enabled by BASF, brings those strengths into additive manufacturing.
Tensile strength: 29 MPa. Elongation at break: 20% (XY). HDT: 100°C. Chemical resistance: Excellent against acids, bases, and most solvents.
PP excels in applications that need chemical resistance, fatigue life, and low weight. It suits living hinges, fluid connectors, containers, and automotive interior components. The material absorbs very little moisture, which keeps parts dimensionally stable in humid environments.
PP has lower stiffness and heat resistance than PA12 or PA11. It works best when flexibility and chemical performance matter more than raw rigidity.
Other HP-Certified MJF Materials
Beyond the four materials Amuse currently runs, HP also certifies TPU and PA12 Glass Bead (PA12GB) for the MJF 3D printing platform.
TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)
Enabled by Lubrizol, TPU is a flexible elastomer with a Shore hardness of 88 to 90A and elongation at break of 280%. It suits seals, gaskets, vibration dampeners, and wearable components.
PA12GB (PA12 Glass Bead)
PA12GB reinforces standard PA12 with 40% glass beads, boosting stiffness to a tensile modulus of 2,800 to 2,900 MPa and reducing warping. It suits jigs, fixtures, and tooling where dimensional stability under heat is critical.
Availability of these materials varies by service provider. Contact us if your project calls for TPU or PA12GB.
How to Choose the Best Material for MJF 3D Printing
Picking the right material comes down to four questions.
1. What Loads Will the Part Handle?
PA12 covers most structural needs. PA11 wins when repeated impact or bending is involved. PA12GB handles the highest stiffness demands.
2. Does It Need Chemical Resistance?
PP outperforms other MJF options against acids, bases, and many solvents.
3. Does Surface Finish Matter?
PA12S delivers a smoother result straight from the printer, potentially reducing the need for post-processing.
4. What Is Your Budget?
PA12 offers the best cost-to-performance ratio. PA11 and TPU can carry a 40 to 70% premium, depending on the application and service provider.
For help with material selection, our engineering team reviews every order and can recommend the right fit based on your CAD file and production volume. You can also review our design guidelines for detailed MJF 3D printing specifications.
Start Your MJF 3D Printing Project
HP additive manufacturing through MJF technology gives you access to industrial-grade 3D printing materials designed to meet demanding production requirements without tooling, at volumes from 1 to 10,000 parts. Our 3D printing service delivers within 3 to 5 days across India and 4 to 7 days worldwide.
Upload your CAD file for an instant quote. Not sure which material fits? Our team is ready to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Is the Strongest MJF 3D Printing Material?
PA11 leads with a tensile strength of 52 MPa and elongation at break of 50%, making it a strong choice for demanding applications requiring toughness and flexibility. PA12 follows at 48 MPa, with a reported heat deflection temperature of 175°C. For maximum stiffness, PA12GB, with its 40% glass bead reinforcement, reaches a tensile modulus of 2,800 to 2,900 MPa.
2. Is PA11 More Expensive Than PA12 for MJF Printing?
Yes. PA11 typically costs 40 to 60% more than PA12 per part. The higher price comes from the bio-based raw material derived from castor oil and a lower powder reuse ratio of 70% versus 80% for PA12. For projects where impact resistance and flexibility are critical, the premium may be justified.
3. Can MJF 3D-Printed Parts Handle High Temperatures?
PA12 has a reported heat deflection temperature of 175°C at a 0.45 MPa load, while PA11 reaches 185°C under the same test conditions. PP has a reported HDT of around 100°C, and TPU approximately 75°C. PA12GB can offer improved stiffness and dimensional stability at elevated temperatures, depending on the specific material grade and application.
4. What MJF 3D Printing Materials Are Available in India?
Amuse 3D, based in Chennai, currently offers PA12, PA11, PA12S, and PP for HP MJF 3D printing. We run five HP MJF 5620 systems and are a certified HP Digital Manufacturing partner. Standard delivery is 3 to 5 days within India and 4 to 7 days worldwide.
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