Strength and Durability Blended: Why Glass-Filled Nylon is Perfect for you?
Glass-filled nylon is a composite material that combines nylon with glass fibers, resulting in a material that is stronger and more rigid than regular nylon which can be used in significant applications. In this blog, we will evaluate the pros and cons of glass-filled nylon in detail and analyse its properties, uses in 3D printed parts, and comparison with other materials.
Characteristics of Glass-filled Nylon
Here are some of its properties that make it a good fit to be used in the additive manufacturing process to produce parts.
- High strength and stiffness
- Improved dimensional stability
- Greater resistance to heat and wear
- Excellent impact resistance
- Low coefficient of friction
- Good electrical insulation properties
- Reduced moisture absorption compared to regular nylon
- Improved resistance to chemicals and solvents
- Good resistance to deformation under load
- Reduced thermal expansion compared to unfilled nylon
It is worth noting that the exact properties of glass-filled nylon can vary depending on the specific composition of the material, as well as the manufacturing process used to produce it.
How are glass-filled nylon 3D-printed parts used?
Glass-filled nylon can be used as a 3D printing material, particularly in the Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) or Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printing processes. Multi Jet Fusion commonly referred HP MJF 3D printing technology where we leverage nylon glass beads (PA12GB) for glass-filled nylon application. 3D printing can be used to create strong and durable parts with a high degree of dimensional accuracy earliest.
It is particularly useful for creating parts that require strength, stiffness, and resistance to wear and heat. For example, glass-filled nylon is commonly used in the automotive industry for making parts such as engine components, bushings, and gears. It is also used in electrical and industrial equipment for applications such as insulators, connectors, and housings. In the end, these parts will be injection moulded in glass-filled nylon, availability of these materials in the prototyping stage makes validation credible early stage.
Pros of Glass-filled Nylon over standard, unfilled Nylon
This type of hybrid material has various potential advantages over standard, unfilled nylon. Here are the pros of it:
Increased strength and stiffness: The addition of glass fibers to the nylon matrix can increase the strength and stiffness of the material, making it better suited for demanding applications.
Improved dimensional stability: Glass-filled nylon is less prone to warping and distortion compared to standard nylon, which can help ensure greater dimensional accuracy in 3D printed parts.
Greater resistance to heat and wear: The glass fibers in the nylon matrix can improve the material’s resistance to heat and wear, making it more durable and better suited for high-temperature applications.
Reduced thermal expansion: it has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion compared to unfilled nylon, which can help reduce the likelihood of parts deforming or warping due to changes in temperature.
Lower moisture absorption: Glass-filled nylon is less prone to absorbing moisture compared to unfilled nylon, which can help ensure greater dimensional stability and reduce the risk of part failure in high-humidity environments.
Thus, the addition of glass fibers to the nylon matrix can improve the material’s mechanical and thermal properties, making it a more versatile and reliable material for demanding applications.
Cons of Glass-filled Nylon
The material may possess greater advantages, but it is also important to know its drawbacks too. Here are some of the cons of glass-filled nylon:
More difficult to process: The presence of glass fibers in the nylon matrix can make the material more difficult to process, requiring higher temperatures and pressures during injection molding or 3D printing.
Brittle in certain conditions: While it is generally more robust than unfilled nylon, it can become brittle in low-temperature environments or when exposed to certain chemicals.
More abrasive: The glass fibers in the nylon matrix can make the material more abrasive, which can cause increased wear on molds and extruder nozzles during the injection molding or 3D printing process.
Surface appearance: It can have a rougher surface texture compared to unfilled nylon, which may be less visually appealing for certain applications.
Glass-filled nylon vs other materials
| Material | Strength | Stiffness | Durability | Temperature Resistance | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glass-Filled Nylon | High | High | High | Moderate | High |
| PLA | Low – Medium | Low | Low | Low – Moderate | Low |
| ABS | High | High | High | Moderate – High | Moderate |
| PETG | Medium | Medium | High | Moderate | Moderate |
| TPU | Low – Medium | Low – Medium | Medium | Low – Moderate | High |
| Nylon | Medium – High | Medium | High | High | Moderate – High |
| Polycarbonate | High | High | High | High | High |
The properties of each material can vary depending on the specific formulation and processing conditions used. Additionally, there may be other factors to consider when choosing a material for a particular application, such as ease of printing, availability of colors, and environmental concerns.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, glass-filled nylon is a go-to material that is used in a variety of applications produced via 3D printing and injection Moulding. While it does have some drawbacks, such as water absorption and brittleness, it can offer significant advantages over other materials, particularly in terms of strength and temperature resistance. Due to these advantages, we can certainly recommend them in industrial applications.
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