Nylon PA12
Nylon PA12 is a robust all-purpose 3D print material. It is popular for a wide range of applications because of it's balance of excellent material properties, fine detail and low cost.
Minimum lead time
5 business days
3D printing technology
Dimensional accuracy
+/- 0.3% with a lower limit of +/- 0.3 mm
Maximum build size
380 x 285 x 380 mm (14.9" x 11.2" x 14.9")
Nylon PA 12 is one of the most common plastics used in industrial 3D printing because of it's balance of excellent material properties, fine detail and low cost. This versatile plastic is flexible, has high impact resistance, is UV and water resistant, and is certified biocompatible. These qualities make it ideal for a wide range of uses in various industries including automotive, healthcare, consumer goods, and aerospace. This material is ideal for rapid prototyping and low-to-mid-range manufacturing.
Key Benefits
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Produces strong, high-density parts with near-isometric properties on x-y and z axes.
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Designed to produce functional parts with fine detail and dimensional accuracy.
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Excellent chemical resistance to oils, greases, alphalitic hydrocarbons, and alkalies.
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Water- and air-tight without further treatment.
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UV resistant.
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Meets biocompatibility certifications including USP Class I-VI and US FDA guidance for Intact Skin Surface Devices.
Applications
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Rapid prototyping and small- to medium-run manufacturing.
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Complex assemblies, housings, enclosures.
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Water- and air-tight applications.
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Snap fits and hinges.
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Industrial tooling and modeling.
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Bio-compatible parts.
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Plastic gears, screws, nuts, and bolts.
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Medical and dental devices, such as orthotics and dental molds.
Design guidelines
Max build volume
380 x 284 x 380 mm (15 x 11.2 x 15")
Min wall thickness
0.6 mm (flexible), 2 mm (rigid)
Connecting parts
min 0.5 mm between part interface areas
Moving parts
min 0.7 mm between faces of printed assemblies
Emboss / deboss
min 0.5 mm
Design considerations
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Thin and long parts, as well as large flat surfaces, may be prone to warping. You may also consider PA12 Glass Bead as an alternative material for these parts.
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Consider hollowing or adding internal lattice structure to large solid pieces to improve accuracy and minimize cost.
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Hinges, sockets, and linked parts can be integrated into the design.
Technical Specifications
Accuracy
+/- 0.3% (minimum of +/- 0.3 mm)
Layer thickness
0.08 mm
Density of part
1.01 g/cm3
Tensile modulus
1700 MPa (XY), 1800 MPa (Z)
Tensile strength
48 MPa (XY), 48 MPa (Z)
Elongation at break
20% (XY), 15% (Z)
Heat deflection
175 C (@ 0.45 MPa), 95 C (@1.82 MPa)
Available Surface Finishes
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Raw (gray)
After the part has been printed it has a powdery gray look and feel. This finish is best suited for functional prototypes and non-visible parts.
Black Dye
Parts are submerged in a hot dye bath containing dye pigment. This gives a smooth, consistent finish with no loss of dimensional accuracy.
Cerakote
Cerakote is a thin-film ceramic coating applied to 3D printed parts to improve looks and functionality. A variety of colors are available.
Vapor Smoothing
A chemical vapor is used to smooth the surface of the part. Vapor smoothing can also enhance material properties and water resistance.
