Unless you live in a cave (or you just don’t follow the latest news in 3D printing technology) - There has been exciting buzz in the 3D Printing and Rapid Prototyping industry lately. Whether or not you’ve heard about it, Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) 3D printing is the latest innovation in 3D printing technology this year.
In our previous blog, "Is Multi Jet Fusion just another 3D printer", we talk about the machine itself and how it’s different than other 3D printers.
While the technology is truly revolutionary, one of the most important requirements for the end user of the part is the material the part is made from.
In this post we will compare the material from MJF to other 3D Printing technologies. MJF produces a part from heat fused PA-12 material that is very similar to Nylon 6-6. The parts are made by fusing powder PA-12 together to form a solid part.
MJF
Color: The parts per the process are a gray/black/white mix color. The parts are then glass beaded to remove any non-fused material and then dyed black to give them a consistent color. It's much like the original Model T, you can have any color you want, as long as it is black.
Finish: The finish is a slight fine texture very similar to a Mold-tech 11010 finish.
Mechanical Properties are based upon PA-12.
Tensile Strength: 6960 psi
Elongation at Break: 20%
Izod Impact: Not Listed
Heat Deflection Temperature @1.82 MPa : 205 deg. F
SLA (Stereolithography)
Color: Resin color varies from clear to white to black and gray. Most common is a slightly off-white color.
Finish: Varies from a glossy top surface to a layered side finish to a flat bottom surface finish. Most parts are finished with a vapor blast operation that gives them a consistent satin finish.
Mechanical properties below are based upon Somos Evolve. Different materials will vary.
Tensile Strength: 4300 psi
Elongation at Break: 11%
Izod Impact-Notched: 729ft-lb/in
Heat Deflection Temperature @ 1.81 MPa: 121 deg. F
SLS (Selective Laser Sintering)
Color: The parts are typically an off-white color. It's basically similar to the natural color of nylon.
Finish: It produces a sandy like texture surface, similar to a Mold-tech 11030 finish.
Mechanical properties are based upon our GF Nylon-12.
Tensile Strength: 4500 psi
Elongation at Break: 6%
Izod Impact-Notched: 4.1 KJ /m²
Heat Deflection Temperature @ 1.82 MPa: 110 deg. F
FFF (Filament Fusion Fabrication) also known as FDM
Color: Colors range from clear to color tinted to full color opaque filaments.
Finish: High texture almost a weave pattern structure on top and bottom and layered sides.
Mechanical properties are based upon High Strength PLA.
Tensile Strength: 4075 psi
Elongation at Break: 1.36%
Impact Strength: 12.7 KJ /m²
Glass Transition Temperature (TG): 122-140 deg. F
Mechanical properties are based upon ABS.
Tensile Strength: 4916 psi
Elongation at Break: 4.8%
Izod Impact Strength: 10.5 KJ /m²
Glass Transition Temperature (TG): 206 deg. F
This is a general overview of each technology and how it compares to MJF. While other factors such as hardness and flexural strength may be more important for your application. You can click on the Learn More buttons to get more detailed properties.