ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on sustainable commercial and experimental polyamide (PA) formulations for additive manufacturing (AM), in form of powder (mostly) and filament, based on the PA 11 grade derived from castor oil, a vegetable oil extracted from the castor plant, and elucidated here in terms of its properties, applications, and market. An overview of PAs including their nomenclature, properties, applications, and market data is presented. Sustainable commercial PA 11 grades are described, along with their physical, mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties, production process, and suppliers. The influence of processing parameters on the performance of articles printed out of PA 11 is discussed. Tensile, fracture, and fatigue properties of parts printed out of PA 11 are also reported. Finally, PA experimental nanocomposites and experimental blends based on PA 11 are illustrated.
