PA12 – Polyamide 12
An engineering plastic that is particularly common in industrial 3D printing. The material is characterized by good mechanical strength, chemical resistance, and reliable processing.
Properties of PA12
PA12 offers a balanced combination of strength, flexibility, and durability, making it suitable for functional components in industrial applications.
Typical properties of PA12:
- good mechanical strength and toughness
- high dimensional accuracy
- high load-bearing capacity despite thin walls
- chemical resistance to many oils and fats
- low water absorption compared to other polyamides
These properties make PA12 a versatile standard material for 3D printing. It is available in black or gray.
An overview of our polyamides
A comparison
PA12 - PA2200 - PA11
PA12, PA2200, and PA11 are among the most commonly used polyamide materials in powder-based 3D printing. Although they have similar applications, they differ in origin, mechanical properties, and typical uses.
a proven standard in 3D printing
PA12 is a versatile engineering plastic and is considered the standard material for the MJF process. It offers a balanced combination of strength, dimensional stability, and durability.
Typical characteristics of PA12:
- good mechanical strength
- high dimensional accuracy and reproducibility
- low water absorption
- Suitable for prototypes, replacement parts, and production components
Typical applications:
functional components, enclosures, replacement parts, mass production and small-batch production
PA12 optimized for SLS
PA2200 is a PA12 variant specifically developed for the SLS process. It offers very consistent quality and is frequently used for near-production applications.
Key features of the PA2200:
- highly uniform material properties
- High-quality surfaces in SLS printing
- high process stability
- proven for high-volume production
Typical applications:
functional plastic parts, small-batch production, technical components
bio-based polyamide with greater flexibility
PA11 is made from renewable raw materials and differs significantly from PA12-based materials in terms of its properties. It is more flexible and impact-resistant, but less rigid.
Typical characteristics of PA11:
- greater elasticity and impact resistance
- greater elongation than PA12
- bio-based raw material
- lower stiffness
Typical applications:
Components subject to bending stress, clips, snap-fit connections, functional parts requiring elasticity
MJF or SLS?
A Closer Look: PA12 vs. PA2200
| PA12 (MFJ) | PA2200 (SLS) | |
|---|---|---|
Color | Available in black | White fabric; |
Tightness | gas-tight, water-tight, oil-tight | must first be infiltrated |
Installation space | 380 x 280 x 380 mm | 700 x 380 x 560 mm |
Layer thickness | 0.08 mm | 0.1 mm |
Shipping | 2- and 4-day express, 6-day standard | 4-day express, 7-day standard |
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Mechanical Properties |
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|
Izod impact | 3.5 kJ/m² | 4.4 kJ/m² |
Shore hardness D | 75 Shore D | 75 Shore D |
Tensile strength – XY | 48 MPa | 48 MPa |
Tensile strength – Z | 48 MPa | 42 MPa |
Elongation at break – XY | 20 % | 18 % |
Elongation at break – Z | 15 % | 4 % |
Tensile Module – XY | 1,700 MPa | 1,650 MPa |
Tension module – Z | 1,800 MPa | 1,650 MPa |
Flexural modulus X | 1,730 MPa | 1,500 MPa |
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Thermal Properties |
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Heat resistance (0.45 MPa) | 175 °C | 150 °C |
Heat resistance (1.82 MPa) | 95 °C | 90 °C |
good to know
Advantages of PA12 in 3D printing
PA12 has established itself as the standard material for industrial applications because it combines technical reliability with cost-effective manufacturing.
Advantages of PA12:
- A versatile material suitable for a wide range of applications
- a good balance of strength and flexibility
- suitable for functional components in real-world applications
- reliably reproducible results
Is PA12 the right material for your component?
Whether PA12 is suitable for your application depends, among other things, on the load, the operating environment, and the quantity required. We can advise you on selecting the right material, taking into account a wide range of materials and processes.
Contact us!
We look forward to hearing from you.
+49 (0) 341 231 837 50 info@rapidobject.com