Nylon PA12Engineering-Grade Thermoplastic for Production Parts
Nylon 12 is a high-performance polyamide widely used in additive manufacturing for its excellent tensile strength, impact resistance, and stiffness, making it ideal for functional prototypes and end-use parts. Known for its exceptional chemical resistance and high-temperature stability, it is a preferred material in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and consumer goods.
Quick Specifications
Advanced Materials
Chemical Resistant Engineering Nylon
Nylon PA12 is a high-performance engineering thermoplastic that delivers exceptional mechanical strength, chemical resistance, and dimensional stability. With low moisture absorption and excellent fatigue resistance, it's ideal for both functional prototyping and end-use production parts. Its biocompatibility (ISO 10993-1, USP Class VI) makes it suitable for medical applications, while its chemical resistance to fuels, oils, and solvents makes it perfect for automotive and aerospace components.
Real-World Applications
From mass-customized consumer products to high-volume automotive production, Nylon PA12 delivers exceptional strength, chemical resistance, and dimensional stability for end-use manufacturing. Its unique combination of support-free printing, biocompatibility, and fatigue resistance makes it the material of choice for production applications where traditional manufacturing falls short.
Aerospace Components
Lightweight structural components, ducting, brackets, and UAV parts with high strength-to-weight ratio
Automotive Systems
Air ducts, fluid reservoirs, fuel lines, and interior components with heat and chemical resistance
Medical Devices
Biocompatible prosthetics, surgical guides, and sterilizable medical device housings
Electronic Enclosures
Cable insulation, electronic housings, and precision connectors with excellent dielectric properties
Industrial Equipment
Fluid handling systems, pump components, and high-wear industrial parts
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Technical Datasheet
Advanced Manufacturing
Built with Precision SLS Technology
Nylon PA12 is manufactured using industrial-grade Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) technology, ensuring exceptional mechanical properties and dimensional accuracy for demanding applications.
Industrial-grade SLS technology delivers unmatched precision and consistency for Nylon PA12 production. Our advanced powder bed fusion process ensures optimal material properties and surface quality.
- Layer Height: 0.06 - 0.15 mm. Fine layer resolution delivers smooth surface finish and precise feature definition.
- Tolerance: ± 0.3% (min ± 0.3 mm). Consistent dimensional accuracy across complex geometries and thin-wall features.
- Build Volume: 340 × 340 × 600 mm. Large production capacity enables efficient manufacturing of multiple parts or assemblies.
- Support-Free Manufacturing. Self-supporting powder bed process enables complex internal geometries and overhangs.
Material Grades
Nylon PA12 is available in multiple grades. Select a grade below to view specific properties and data.
EOS PA 2200
Manufacturer: EOS
Standard PA12 powder for general-purpose SLS applications with excellent mechanical properties and surface finish.
Technical Data
Mechanical Properties
Nylon PA12 exhibits excellent mechanical properties, making it ideal for functional prototypes and end-use parts that need to meet demanding performance requirements in aerospace and automotive applications.
Technical Specifications
| Measurement | Value | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 48 MPa | ISO 527 |
| Flexural Strength | 69 MPa | ISO 178 |
| Flexural Modulus | 1700 MPa | ISO 178 |
| Elongation at Break | 15 % | ISO 527 |
| Impact Strength (Charpy) | 28 kJ/m² | ISO 179 |
| Fatigue Strength (10⁷ cycles) | 22 MPa | ISO 13003 |
Performance Characteristics
EOS PA 2200 delivers exceptional mechanical performance with excellent strength characteristics, effectively handling demanding load conditions. Its balanced mechanical profile allows it to maintain structural integrity while preventing brittleness in critical applications.
These qualities make it well-suited for aircraft ducting and brackets, automotive fuel lines and air ducts, medical prosthetics and surgical guides, providing long-term durability in demanding environments. Nylon PA12 maintains dimensional stability over time, ensuring consistent performance across temperature and stress variations.
This makes it a reliable choice for applications requiring precise geometries and tight tolerances across aerospace, automotive, healthcare industries. Its versatility and durability allow it to perform consistently across a wide range of mechanical applications, ensuring parts maintain their integrity under repetitive stress and environmental conditions.
Key Strengths
Ideal Applications
Design Considerations
Technical Data
Thermal Properties
EOS PA 2200 exhibits exceptional thermal stability, with a melting point of 178°C and outstanding performance in demanding thermal environments.
Technical Specifications
| Property | Value | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Glass Transition Temperature | 47 °C | ISO 11357 |
| Melting Point | 178 °C | ISO 11357 |
| HDT @ 0.45 MPa | 162 °C | ISO 75 |
| HDT @ 1.8 MPa | 54 °C | ISO 75 |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.3 W/m·K | ISO 22007-4 |
| Coefficient of Linear Expansion | 80 ×10⁻⁶/K | ISO 11359 |
Thermal Performance
Nylon PA12's thermal properties ensure minimal dimensional deviation under fluctuating thermal conditions, making it highly suitable for applications requiring tight tolerances and structural integrity at elevated temperatures. Nylon PA12 maintains consistent mechanical performance even in thermally and environmentally variable conditions across aerospace and automotive and healthcare and electronics and industrial manufacturing and consumer products applications.
Its thermal conductivity and insulating properties make it an excellent candidate for electronic housings and connectors. Nylon PA12 resists thermal fatigue and creep deformation, particularly in cyclic thermal loading environments.
Prolonged exposure to temperatures approaching its upper limit (178°C) may lead to gradual material degradation. In applications requiring sustained operation in high-temperature environments, consult with our engineering team for material recommendations and design guidelines.
Resources
Operating Range
Thermal Benefits
Thermal Applications
Thermal Considerations
Technical Data
Electrical Properties
Nylon 12 exhibits strong electrical insulation properties with exceptional dielectric strength of 92 kV/mm and volume resistance ranging from 10¹³ – 10¹⁵ Ω·cm, making it ideal for electrical housings, insulators, and high-voltage applications.
Technical Specifications
| Property | Standard | Unit | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volume Resistance | IEC 60093 | Ω·cm | 10¹³ – 10¹⁵ |
| Surface Resistance | IEC 60093 | Ω | 10¹³ |
| Relative Permittivity (1 kHz) | IEC 60250 | - | 3.8 |
| Dielectric Strength | IEC 60243 | kV/mm | 92 |
| Dielectric Dissipation Factor (1 kHz) | IEC 60250 | - | 0.05 – 0.09 |
Electrical Performance
The relative permittivity of 3.8 at 1 kHz indicates that PA12 does not significantly store electrical charge, further reinforcing its insulation capabilities. Its low dielectric dissipation factor (0.05 – 0.09) minimizes energy loss, though other materials may offer better performance in high-frequency applications.
Nylon 12 is well-suited for high-resistance electrical insulation applications, such as electronic housings, cable insulation, insulators, and high-voltage barriers. The material offers strong dielectric performance, making it a reliable choice where electrical insulation is a priority.
Material selection should be based on the specific requirements of the application, considering factors such as frequency, environmental conditions, and mechanical constraints. For detailed electrical performance data and application-specific testing requirements, consult with our engineering team.
Resources
Electrical Applications
Electrical Considerations
Technical Data
Chemical Properties
Nylon PA12 exhibits exceptional chemical resistance to hydrocarbons, oils, greases, and weak acids and bases. With low water absorption (1.5% in 24h), it maintains dimensional stability and mechanical integrity in chemically aggressive environments where other polymers degrade.
Chemical Compatibility Chart
| Chemical | Type | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| Acetic Acid (10%) | Acid | Moderate |
| Phosphoric Acid (10%) | Acid | Moderate |
| Sodium Hydroxide (10%) | Base | Good to Excellent |
| Ethanol | Solvent | Good |
| Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) | Solvent | Good |
| Motor Oil | Hydrocarbon | Excellent |
| Gasoline | Hydrocarbon | Good to Excellent |
| Hydraulic Fluid | Hydrocarbon | Excellent |
| Diesel Fuel | Hydrocarbon | Good to Excellent |
| Ammonia (10%) | Base | Good |
| Hydrogen Peroxide (3%) | Oxidizer | Good |
| Sea Water | Salt Solution | Excellent |
Chemical Performance
Nylon PA12 exhibits high chemical resistance, making it durable in industrial, automotive, and medical environments where exposure to solvents, fuels, and cleaning agents is frequent. It resists hydrocarbons, oils, greases, and weak acids and bases, maintaining mechanical integrity in chemically aggressive conditions where other polymers degrade.
Low water absorption ensures dimensional stability in humid or wet conditions, making it suitable for fluid handling systems, fuel lines, and pump components. Unlike ABS, which absorbs moisture and weakens over time, Nylon PA12 retains stiffness and strength, preventing swelling or loss of mechanical properties.
In medical and laboratory applications, sterilization resistance and chemical stability allow use in surgical instruments, reagent containers, and device housings. In automotive applications, it withstands fuels, coolants, and hydraulic fluids, replacing metals in fuel systems and engine components while maintaining chemical and thermal performance.
Nylon PA12 remains a reliable choice for long-term exposure to harsh chemicals, ensuring consistent mechanical performance in demanding environments. For specific chemical compatibility requirements, please refer to the compatibility chart above or contact our engineering team for application-specific guidance.
Resources
Resistance Categories
Chemical Considerations
Design Considerations
Technical Data
Biocompatibility & Compliance
Nylon PA12 is biocompatible, meeting ISO 10993-1 (Biocompatibility), USP Class VI standards, making it safe for short-term contact with skin and mucosal membranes.
Compliance Standards
| Property | Compliance | Standard/Regulation |
|---|---|---|
| ISO 10993-1 (Biocompatibility) | Yes | Biological evaluation for medical devices - cytotoxicity testing |
| ISO 10993-5 (Cytotoxicity) | Yes | Tests for in vitro cytotoxicity |
| ISO 10993-10 (Irritation) | Yes | Tests for irritation and skin sensitization |
| USP Class VI | Yes | United States Pharmacopeia biological reactivity testing |
| EU 10/2011 (Food Contact) | Yes | Approved for dry food contact applications |
| FDA 21 CFR 177.1500 | Yes | FDA approved for food contact surfaces |
| RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU | Yes | Restriction of hazardous substances compliance |
Medical & Regulatory Performance
Nylon PA12's biocompatible properties ensure safe interaction with human tissue, making it an excellent choice for medical prosthetics and surgical guides. Due to its high precision and durability, it is widely used across medical applications where sterilization and dimensional stability are critical.
Nylon PA12's chemical resistance allows it to withstand various sterilization methods without significant degradation. While intended for short-term medical contact, it maintains its mechanical and chemical integrity in demanding aerospace and automotive and healthcare and electronics and industrial manufacturing and consumer products environments.
The material is RoHS compliant, ensuring it is free from hazardous substances, and Nylon PA12 meets biocompatibility standards for non-irritation, making it suitable for prolonged skin contact without adverse reactions. Nylon PA12 provides excellent performance for applications requiring regulatory compliance and safety certifications.
Compliance Resources
Sterilization Methods
Medical Applications
Contact Safety
Medical Considerations
Material Datasheets
Download comprehensive technical documentation for Nylon PA12, including safety data, compliance certificates, and design guidelines.
Technical Datasheets
Compliance Certificates
Design Resources
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