Nylon PA12
Frequently asked questions
Can Nylon PA12 be laser cut?
With some limitations: Nylon PA12 can be laser cut. Adequate extraction/ventilation is required.
Can Nylon PA12 be CNC machined?
Yes: Nylon PA12 can be CNC machined.
Can Nylon PA12 be 3D printed?
Yes, using FDM.
Is Nylon PA12 food safe?
No, Nylon PA12 is not considered food safe.
Physical properties
| Density | 1010.0–1020.0 kg/m³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 50.0 MPa |
| Melting point | 178.0–178.0 °C |
| Glass transition (Tg) | 40.0 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 100.0 µm/m·K |
| Moisture absorption | Low |
Laser processing
Releases amine fumes (ammonia and aliphatic amines) during thermal or laser cutting. Characteristic pungent odor. Amines are irritating to eyes and respiratory tract. Forced ventilation to the outside recommended.
CO₂: Cuttable with CO2 laser with acceptable results. Edges show slight blackening. Engraving produces acceptable visual contrast. Less common than PA6 as a sheet for laser use.
Diode: Not recommended. Amine fumes and thermal shrinkage of the material make the process unreliable.
Fiber: Fiber marking possible on black surfaces. Not suitable for cutting.
CNC / milling processing
Good CNC machinability. Lower hygroscopicity than PA6 means less dimensional variation as a function of humidity: ideal for precision parts. Chips tend to be fibrous. Air cooling is sufficient.
3D printing
Post-processing
Sanding: Sandable but tends to produce fibrous chips. Sandpaper clogs moderately. Grit 120 → 240 → 400 with frequent cleaning intervals.
Primer: mandatory. Polyamide adhesion primer necessary to ensure paint adhesion. PA12 can be dyed with polyamide dyes (hot process in solution).
Gluing: Bondable with two-component epoxy adhesives. Common solvents do not dissolve it. Ultrasonic welding and friction welding can produce excellent structural joints.
Over time: Excellent chemical resistance, cyclic fatigue resistance, and wear resistance. Lower moisture sensitivity than PA6: more stable mechanical properties in humid environments. Good resistance to oils and fuels.
Common defects
- Absorbs moisture though less than PA6 — store in an airtight container with silica gel
- FDM printing sensitive to filament moisture — popping and bubbles if filament is wet
- Limited UV resistance without stabilising additives
Safety
Recommended PPE: safety_glasses
Material generally safe to handle in solid state. During hot processing (printing, CNC), ventilate the area for amine fumes. Wet filament can spit molten material: exercise caution during printing.
Availability and formats
Commercial formats: filament 1.75mm, SLS powder, sheets, tubes, bars
Related materials
Sources
- ISO 16396-1 — Polyamide (PA) moulding materials
- Arkema Rilsan PA12 — Technical data sheet
- Evonik Vestamid L2140 datasheet
Information on compatibility, processing parameters and safety is purely indicative. MakerSpecs accepts no liability for damage to persons or property arising from the use of this data. Always check the safety rules and the manufacturer's official manuals before carrying out any processing.