PA12 vs PPA
Polymer · grade comparison
PA12 and PPA are both polymer grades. PPA is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 200 MPa (29 ksi) against 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) for PA12, about 4.2 times as much. In exchange, PA12 is the more ductile: elongation 18% versus 2.2% for PPA. PA12 is lighter (1.01 g/cm³ vs 1.45 g/cm³ for PPA) and PPA is stiffer (11 GPa vs 1.7 GPa). On the shop floor, PA12 machines more easily (good vs fair), PA12 welds better (good vs fair), and PA12 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than PPA (specialty, $$$$$).
PA12Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
PPAChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
PA12 vs PPA: 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
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell R
Hardness, Rockwell M
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Temperature (Tm)
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
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)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Surface Resistivity
Same in both: 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
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 0.2 mm²/s · 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 | PPA |
|---|---|---|
| 3D printing | Yes | — |
| Injection molding | — | Yes |
| Default condition | Unfilled | GF30 |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
| Chrome Plating (Plastic) | — | Yes |
| Conductive Coating | Yes | — |
| Dyeing (Nylon) | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Primer Coating | Yes | — |
| Spray Painting | — | Yes |
| Tinted Coating | Yes | — |
| Vacuum Metallization | Yes | — |
| Waterproof Coating | Yes | — |
They share 3 finishes: EMI Shielding Coating, Soft Touch Coating, UV Coating.
PA12 vs PPA — frequently asked
Is PPA stronger than PA12?
Yes. PPA has a typical tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) against 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) for PA12 — about 4.2 times as much.
Which is cheaper, PA12 or PPA?
PA12 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while PPA is specialty ($$$$$). 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 PPA?
PA12. Its machinability rates good (60/100) against fair (50/100) for PPA; for welding the order is PA12 first (good, 60/100) then PPA (fair, 40/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PA12 and PPA 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.