PA12 · reinforced grade
PA12-CF
Properties of the CF condition, compared with the other PA12 grades.
Highest stiffness-to-weight powder-bed nylon — for lightweight brackets, drone and motorsport parts; strongly anisotropic and brittle.
What is PA12-CF?
PA12-CF is PA12 in the CF grade — highest stiffness-to-weight powder-bed nylon — for lightweight brackets, drone and motorsport parts; strongly anisotropic and brittle. PA12-CF has a yield strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 72 MPa (10.4 ksi) — weaker than 67% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 6.1 GPa (0.885 Msi). PA12-CF has a density of 1.05 g/cm³ (0.0379 lb/in³), lighter than 69% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 45°C (113 °F). Unfilled is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CF is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Stiff — 6.1 GPa (0.885 Msi), better than 88% of polymer grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 3.5 MPa·√m (3.19 ksi·√in), better than 80% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 40/100, worse than 81% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 7.6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 81% of polymer grades
- Limited ductility — 4%, worse than 78% of polymer grades
PA12-CF properties
Typical room-temperature values for PA12-CF — 13 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every PA12 grade. Each bar shows where the value sits among the polymer grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical5
PA12-CF has a density of 1.05 g/cm³ (0.0379 lb/in³), lighter than 69% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 45°C (113 °F).
Mechanical15
PA12-CF has a yield strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 72 MPa (10.4 ksi) — weaker than 67% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 6.1 GPa (0.885 Msi).
Thermal11
PA12-CF is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 0.23 W/m·K (0.133 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 64% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 40 µm/m·K (22.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PA12-CF is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 22 kV/mm (558.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 10 Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (85/100), better than 63% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PA12-CF takes about 138 MJ of energy and emits 7.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 81% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability3
PA12-CF's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 81% of polymer grades); weldability good (60/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other PA12 grades and fills
PA12 is also supplied in 8 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the PA12 overview.
- UnfilledDefaultDefault choice for functional prototypes, housings, ducts and low-volume end-use parts needing toughness and ductility.48 MPa tensile
- CFHighest stiffness-to-weight powder-bed nylon — for lightweight brackets, drone and motorsport parts; strongly anisotropic and brittle.72 MPa tensile
- SLSPick when fine feature detail, white/natural colour and mature SLS supply chains matter; part density slightly lower than MJF.48 MPa tensile
- MJFPick for higher part density, better Z-direction consistency, faster throughput and lower unit cost on batch production; parts are grey/black.48 MPa tensile
- GBChoose for stiffer, more dimensionally stable and heat-resistant parts (jigs, fixtures, housings) where reduced ductility is acceptable.48 MPa tensile
- ALMetallic-look, stiff, easily tumbled/polished parts for tooling aids and design models; better heat conduction, low elongation.46 MPa tensile
- ESDChoose for electronics handling trays, fixtures and fuel-system parts needing controlled surface resistivity (10⁶–10⁹ Ω).45 MPa tensile
- FRUse for aircraft interiors, rail and electrical enclosures where V-0 / FAR 25.853 burn compliance is mandatory; slightly lower toughness.44 MPa tensile
Working with PA12-CF
Is PA12 easy to machine?
Machines easily with sharp, high-rake tools and air blast; keep speeds high and feeds light to avoid melting, and expect slight size growth if parts absorb moisture.
Can PA12 be welded?
Hot-plate, ultrasonic and laser welding work well on PA12; printed porosity can trap air, so pre-dry parts before welding or bonding with cyanoacrylate/epoxy.
Can PA12 be formed, bent or molded?
Powder-bed processing: SLS bed ≈ 168–172 °C, MJF fusing ≈ 180–190 °C, powder refresh 20–50 %; allow ~3 % XY / 3.2 % Z scaling and slow controlled cake cool-down to limit warp.
What surface finishes work on PA12?
Bead blasting is standard; vapour smoothing, tumbling, dyeing (black/colour) or spray sealing close the porous surface — nylon needs an adhesion primer before painting.
PA12 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| fumed silica flow agentpowder flow/anti-caking additive typical of PBF powders | 0.05 – 0.5 | 0.2 |
| heat stabiliser / pigmentgrade-dependent; carbon black in MJF/black grades | 0 – 1 | 0.3 |
| PA12 (polylaurolactam / )base semi-crystalline polyamide from laurolactam or ω-aminolauric acid | balance | — |
PA12-CF — frequently asked
What is PA12-CF used for?
PA12-CF is typically used for functional prototypes and low-volume end-use parts, air and fluid ducting, hydraulic hoses, tubing, jigs, fixtures and assembly aids and snap-fit housings and enclosures. In short: strong precise nylon.
What is the yield strength of PA12-CF?
PA12-CF has a typical yield strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 72 MPa (10.4 ksi) — weaker than 67% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is PA12-CF easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 81% of polymer grades). Machines easily with sharp, high-rake tools and air blast; keep speeds high and feeds light to avoid melting, and expect slight size growth if parts absorb moisture.
Can PA12-CF be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Hot-plate, ultrasonic and laser welding work well on PA12; printed porosity can trap air, so pre-dry parts before welding or bonding with cyanoacrylate/epoxy.
What surface finishes work on PA12-CF?
Bead blasting is standard; vapour smoothing, tumbling, dyeing (black/colour) or spray sealing close the porous surface — nylon needs an adhesion primer before painting.
Can PA12-CF be formed, bent or molded?
Powder-bed processing: SLS bed ≈ 168–172 °C, MJF fusing ≈ 180–190 °C, powder refresh 20–50 %; allow ~3 % XY / 3.2 % Z scaling and slow controlled cake cool-down to limit warp.
What is the maximum service temperature of PA12-CF?
PA12-CF is rated for continuous use to about 100°C (212 °F), and briefly to 140°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in PA12-CF?
Yes — PA12-CF is available for 3D printing with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- HP 3D High Reusability PA 12 material datasheet — HP Inc. (2023)
- PA 2200 / PA 3200 GF / Alumide / CarbonMide material data sheets — EOS GmbH (2023)
- VESTAMID PA12 product and processing data — Evonik Industries (2022)
- ISO 527-2 / ISO 178 / ISO 180 plastics test methods — ISO (2019)
- ASTM D638 / D790 / D256 plastics test methods — ASTM (2022)
- CAMPUS polyamide 12 datasheets — CWFG / CAMPUS (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.