Resistance of SAF Materials to Automotive Chemicals

This white paper presents the evaluation of the resistance of Stratasys SAF materials, specifically High Yield PA11 and SAF PA12, to various automotive chemicals. The study was conducted following ASTM D543 standards, which outline the methodology for assessing the resistance of plastics to chemical reagents. The materials were subjected to exposure from common automotive chemicals, including battery acid, antifreeze, synthetic motor oil, silicone grease, petroleum grease, screen wash, and distilled water. Specimens were prepared using Stratasys H350 SAF 3D printers and tested in both vertical and horizontal orientations. The results indicate that while High Yield PA11 demonstrated good chemical resistance to most reagents, it showed limited resistance to battery acid, resulting in a significant reduction in mechanical strength. The paper includes detailed findings on the mechanical and dimensional stability of the materials post-exposure, providing valuable insights into their performance in automotive applications.