PA12 · grade · default condition
PA12 Unfilled
Properties of the Unfilled condition, compared with the other PA12 grades.
Default choice for functional prototypes, housings, ducts and low-volume end-use parts needing toughness and ductility.
What is PA12 Unfilled?
PA12 Unfilled is PA12 in the Unfilled grade — default choice for functional prototypes, housings, ducts and low-volume end-use parts needing toughness and ductility. PA12 Unfilled has a yield strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) — weaker than 67% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 1.7 GPa (0.247 Msi). PA12 Unfilled has a density of 1.01 g/cm³ (0.0365 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 45°C (113 °F).
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 3.5 MPa·√m (3.19 ksi·√in), better than 80% of polymer grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 7.6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 81% of polymer grades
PA12 Unfilled properties
Typical room-temperature values for PA12 Unfilled — 12 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 Unfilled has a density of 1.01 g/cm³ (0.0365 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 45°C (113 °F).
Mechanical15
PA12 Unfilled has a yield strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) — weaker than 67% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 1.7 GPa (0.247 Msi).
Thermal11
PA12 Unfilled is rated for continuous service to 85°C (185 °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 105 µm/m·K (58.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PA12 Unfilled is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 22 kV/mm (558.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹¹ 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 Unfilled 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 Unfilled's machinability is good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades); weldability good (60/100).
Common Calculations5
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 Unfilled
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 Unfilled — frequently asked
What is PA12 Unfilled used for?
PA12 Unfilled 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 Unfilled?
PA12 Unfilled has a typical yield strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) — weaker than 67% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is PA12 Unfilled easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 51% 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 Unfilled 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 Unfilled?
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 Unfilled 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 Unfilled?
PA12 Unfilled is rated for continuous use to about 85°C (185 °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 Unfilled?
Yes — PA12 Unfilled 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.