PA12 vs PA6
Polymer · grade comparison
PA12 and PA6 are both polymer grades, both engineering plastic. PA6 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) against 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) for PA12, about 88% more; tensile strength follows at 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) vs 48 MPa (6.96 ksi). PA6 is the more ductile: elongation 60% versus 18% for PA12. PA12 is lighter (1.01 g/cm³ vs 1.14 g/cm³ for PA6) and PA6 is stiffer (3 GPa vs 1.7 GPa). On the shop floor, PA6 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than PA12 (standard, $$).
PA12Choose it when weight is the constraint.
PA6Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
PA12 vs PA6: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Shear Strength
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell R
Bulk Modulus
Hardness, Rockwell M
Same in both: Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 3.5 MPa·√m3.2 ksi·√in
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Temperature (Tm)
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Refractive Index
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Same in both: Surface Resistivity 1×10¹³ Ω · Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) 600 V
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
UV / Weathering Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Polishability
Formability (cold)
Mold Shrinkage
Melt Flow Rate
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 7.6 kg CO₂/kg
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 0
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | PA12 | PA6 |
|---|---|---|
| 3D printing | Yes | — |
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Injection molding | — | Yes |
| Default condition | Unfilled | Unfilled |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | — | 0.5 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 0.8 µm |
| Chrome Plating (Plastic) | — | Yes |
| Conductive Coating | Yes | — |
| Dyeing (Nylon) | Yes | — |
| Primer Coating | Yes | — |
| Spray Painting | — | Yes |
| Tinted Coating | Yes | — |
| Vacuum Metallization | Yes | — |
| Waterproof Coating | Yes | — |
They share 4 finishes: EMI Shielding Coating, Painting, Soft Touch Coating, UV Coating.
PA12 vs PA6 — frequently asked
Is PA6 stronger than PA12?
Yes. PA6 has a typical yield strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) against 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) for PA12 — about 88% more. Tensile strength is 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) vs 48 MPa (6.96 ksi).
Which is cheaper, PA12 or PA6?
PA6 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while PA12 is standard ($$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, PA12 or PA6?
PA6, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 68/100 against 60/100 for PA12.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PA12 and PA6 side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.