Nylon PA12
Versatile SLS/MJF nylon powder with good mechanical properties and chemical resistance. PA12 is the most widely used material for functional 3D printed parts and production runs.
About Nylon PA12
Nylon PA12 is the dominant material for powder-bed 3D printing (SLS and MJF), offering the best balance of mechanical properties, resolution, and cost for functional 3D printed parts. Its lower moisture absorption compared to PA6 and PA66 makes it more dimensionally stable in varying environments.
FabRapid prints PA12 on HP Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) and EOS SLS systems. MJF PA12 parts are isotropic (equal strength in all directions), making them ideal for functional parts and end-use production. SLS PA12 offers slightly better surface finish and resolution.
PA12 is widely used as a bridge-to-injection-molding material — parts can be 3D printed for initial production runs while injection mold tooling is being fabricated, with no design changes needed.
Material Properties
Compatible Manufacturing Processes
Nylon PA12 can be processed using these manufacturing methods.
Available Surface Finishes
Surface treatments compatible with Nylon PA12.
Common Applications
Design Guidelines for Nylon PA12
Minimum wall thickness: 0.7 mm for MJF, 0.8 mm for SLS
Orient parts to minimize powder-trapped volumes and reduce post-processing time
Escape holes (≥ 3 mm diameter) are needed for enclosed volumes to drain unfused powder
MJF PA12 parts are approximately 5% gray in color — dye black or leave natural gray
Nylon PA12 FAQ
MJF produces more isotropic parts with better dimensional accuracy and higher throughput. SLS offers slightly better surface finish and more material options. For functional parts and production runs, MJF is generally preferred. For surface-critical or small-batch parts, SLS may be better.
Yes. MJF PA12 parts are widely used as end-use production components in automotive, aerospace, and consumer products. They meet or exceed many injection-molded nylon properties and are cost-effective for volumes up to 10,000 units per year.
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