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Nylon 12 (PA12) for 3D printing
Nylon 12 (PA12) is a semi-crystalline polyamide and the most common material for powder-bed 3D printing by HP Multi Jet Fusion and SLS. Printed parts run about 7,000 psi (48 MPa) tensile with 15–20% elongation and near-isotropic strength, and absorb less moisture than PA66. It suits functional prototypes, fixtures and low-volume production without tooling.
- ISO 1043
- PA12
- Powder grades
- HP 3D High Reusability PA 12 (MJF), EOS PA 2200 (SLS)
- Trade names (molding grades)
- Vestamid, Grilamid
How does it compare?
Typical room-temperature values for PA12, against all 48 materials in the library.
- Tensile strength
- 48 MPa20th pct
- Density
- 1.01 g/cm³6th pct
- Elongation
- 20 %46th pct
- Relative cost
- $$$$$
Bars are relative to the strongest, densest or hottest material in the SSG library. Percentile vs all 48 materials.
- Density
- 1.01 g/cm³ · 0.0365 lb/in³
- Tensile strength
- 48 MPa · 7.0 ksi
- Elongation
- 20%
- Elastic modulus
- 1.7 GPa · 0.2 Msi
- Hardness
- Shore 75–80D
- Melting point
- 180 °C · 356 °F
When should you use PA12?
Strengths
- No tooling; internal channels, lattices and multi-part assemblies print as one piece
- Near-isotropic mechanical properties in MJF
- Much lower moisture absorption than PA6 or PA66
- Good resistance to oils, fuels and greases
- Economical from one part to a few thousand
Watch for
- Grainy as-printed surface; bead blast, dye or vapor smooth for cosmetic parts
- Tolerances of about ±0.012 in (±0.3 mm) or ±0.3%, looser than machining or molding
- MJF parts print gray; black dye is standard and other colors need paint
- Piece price falls little with volume; injection molding wins at higher quantities
Typical parts
- Functional prototypes and snap-fit housings
- Jigs, fixtures and assembly aids
- Ducting and fluid manifolds
- Low-volume production enclosures
- Robot end-of-arm tooling
- Custom wearables and orthotics
How PA12 is made into parts
Cost, finishes and design rules for each process in this material.
What does a part in PA12 cost?
A representative part, 3d printing. Raw material at about $60.00/kg is one line of it; process time and tooling usually matter more.
Housing · 3D printing
Order total $938
- Tooling
- None
- no hard tooling
- Piece price
- $37.50
- before setup + tooling
- Lead time
- 3–7 days
- to first production
Size
Drag a row to adjust · click to type
Length140140 mm
Width90.090.0 mm
Wall2.202.20 mm
Quantity
Price per part falls as volume rises
Exact quantity2525 pcs
Material
Nylon 12 (PA12) for 3D printing
Design checks pass
Open in builderBudgetary estimate for a representative part. Firm quotes come from principals after drawing review.
PA12 questions
MJF vs SLS for PA12?
Both fuse nylon powder in a bed without supports. MJF is faster, gives more consistent strength in the build direction, and prints gray parts that are usually dyed black. SLS prints white parts that dye to more colors and runs more specialty powders. Mechanical properties are close.
How accurate are PA12 3D printed parts?
Typical tolerance is about ±0.012 in (±0.3 mm) or ±0.3% of the dimension, whichever is larger. Keep walls at least 0.040 in (1.0 mm) thick for durable parts.
When should I switch from 3D printing to injection molding?
Usually somewhere between a few hundred and a few thousand parts, depending on part size and complexity; past that point a molded part's lower piece price pays back the tool. Printing stays ahead for frequent design changes, complex internal geometry and low volumes.
Is 3D printed PA12 watertight?
Thin walls can weep under pressure because of residual porosity. Walls of 0.080 in (2 mm) or more, vapor smoothing, or an impregnation sealant make parts watertight for fluid and air service.
Quote it in PA12.
Upload CAD or start from a template. The builder prices it in this material and the alternatives.