PA11 (SLS, BASF Forward AM Ultrasint PA11)

BASF Forward AM Ultrasint PA11 is a PA11 powder grade for selective laser sintering, in which a laser fuses successive layers of polymer powder in a heated bed. The surrounding unfused powder supports the part, so no support structures are needed. Parts come out slightly porous with a matte, grainy surface, and they are weaker and less ductile across the layers than within them; they are depowdered and bead blasted, and often dyed or smoothed. Laser-sintered PA11 is more ductile and impact tolerant than laser-sintered PA12, so it is used for functional prototypes and end-use parts such as snap fits, hinges, housings and ducts. Every value on this page is read from BASF Forward AM's own material data sheet — quoted, cited and dated — and is the maker's statement about printed material, not a measurement by MatWorld; none has yet been reviewed by a person.