Rev1 PA12 Nylon The Stable, Chemical-Resistant Engineering Nylon
The Stable, Chemical-Resistant Engineering Nylon
PA12 Nylon (Nylon 12) is the dimensionally stable engineering nylon for parts that move, slide, and take a beating: tough, wear-resistant, and low-friction, with outstanding chemical, fuel, and oil resistance for gears, bushings, fluid connectors, and functional end-use parts. Its low moisture absorption makes it far more stable and more forgiving to print than PA6 — still an engineering material that likes heat and an enclosure, but far less of a battle. Available in 5 colors, on 1 kg and 3 kg spools. Full specifications →
In-stock colors ship fast; other colors are made-to-order in 1–3 weeks from Michigan. Need a specific color, a 3 kg spool, or case pricing? Call (248) 707-2950.
Dimensionally stable, vacuum-sealed, supported by humans.
Rev1 PA12 Nylon is precision-extruded 1.75 mm filament, wound evenly and vacuum-sealed with desiccant — its low moisture uptake keeps parts dimensionally stable — then made-to-order and supported from Auburn Hills, Michigan.
When the part has to move, slide, and survive.
PLA is easy but soft and brittle; PETG is tough but flexes. PA12 Nylon is the dimensionally stable engineering nylon built for mechanical parts — tough, low-friction, and fatigue-resistant for gears, bushings, living hinges, and snap-fits that take repeated stress without cracking, plus outstanding chemical, fuel, and oil resistance. What sets PA12 apart from PA6 is its much lower moisture absorption: parts don’t swell or shift with humidity, and it warps less and prints more forgivingly. It still likes heat and an enclosure, but give it a dry spool and Rev1 PA12 Nylon makes durable, stable, load-bearing parts in 5 colors.
Even diameter and a clean wind for reliable runs.
Round, consistent 1.75 mm filament feeds smoothly so long, hot enclosed prints don’t fail.
Every Rev1 PA12 Nylon spool is wound evenly and held to a tight diameter, so it feeds without under-extrusion across a full 1 kg or 3 kg run. Vacuum-sealed with desiccant to arrive dry — PA12 absorbs far less moisture than PA6, but it still prints best dry.
Low moisture uptake means parts hold their size and don’t swell with humidity like PA6.
Shrugs off fuels, oils, and many chemicals — ideal for fluid-handling and exposed parts.
Wear-resistant, slippery surface for moving parts, bearings, gears, and living hinges.
Black, White, Transparent, Transparent Red, and a Conductive (ESD) grade — on 1 kg and 3 kg spools.
Print settings for strong, stable nylon.
PA12 is the more approachable nylon — a lower melting point and low moisture uptake mean less warping and more forgiving prints than PA6. It still rewards heat and an enclosure, and while drying is far less critical than with PA6, a dry spool keeps layers bonded and parts strong.
PA12 melts lower than PA6 for strong layer adhesion; a 0.4 mm hardened or brass nozzle is fine.
A warm bed plus glue or an adhesive sheet keeps the first layer stuck — PA12 warps less than PA6.
PA12 absorbs far less moisture than PA6, but a dry, sealed spool still prints cleanest.
An enclosure holds chamber heat and blocks drafts — helpful for large flat parts, though PA12 is more forgiving.
Recommended slicer settings
A solid starting profile for Rev1 PA12 Nylon on an enclosed FDM printer. Dry the filament if it’s been open a while, then tune cooling and chamber temperature for your machine.
| Setting | Recommended | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle temperature | 240–260 °C | PA12 melts lower than PA6 — run hot enough for strong layer bonding on load-bearing parts. |
| Bed temperature | 60–80 °C | Glue stick or an adhesive sheet on glass/PEI for a strong first layer. |
| Chamber / enclosure | Warm, draft-free | An enclosure helps large parts — PA12 warps less than PA6 but still cools unevenly. |
| Print speed | 30–60 mm/s | Moderate speeds help interlayer strength. |
| Part cooling fan | 0–20 % | Keep cooling low — too much fan weakens layer bonding. |
| Retraction | 1–5 mm | Direct drive: ~1–2 mm. Tune to control stringing. |
| Nozzle size | 0.4 mm + | Larger nozzles add strength on functional parts. |
| Drying | 65–80 °C · 6–8 h | Recommended — PA12 absorbs far less moisture than PA6, but dry it if the spool has been open. |
| Post-processing | Sand / anneal | Optional annealing can boost strength and dimensional stability. |
Parts that move, wear, and take stress.
The stable nylon behind functional, mechanical parts.
PA12 Nylon trades PLA’s easy printing for real engineering performance: toughness, wear resistance, low friction, and standout chemical resistance — all with the dimensional stability that its low moisture uptake brings. Made-to-order in 5 colors, on 1 kg and 3 kg spools, shipped from Michigan.
Gears that mesh, slide, and hold size.
Low friction and fatigue resistance for parts that turn under load.
PA12’s slippery, wear-resistant surface makes it the classic choice for gears, worm drives, and moving mechanisms — and its low moisture uptake keeps tooth geometry stable where PA6 can swell.
Drag chains that flex without failing.
Ductile, fatigue-resistant carriers for moving cable runs.
Cable drag chains flex constantly under load — exactly the repeated-stress duty nylon is built for. PA12 bends thousands of cycles without cracking, unlike rigid, brittle plastics.
Shop-floor jigs and fixtures that last.
Tough, chemical-resistant tooling that stands up to repeated use.
Print the fixtures, jigs, and assembly aids your line needs — PA12 shrugs off clamping, impacts, solvents, and abrasion through cycle after cycle without wearing down or swelling.
Bushings and bearings that run smooth.
A naturally low-friction surface built for sliding contact.
One of nylon’s superpowers: it slides. Bushings, bearing blocks, and slides made from PA12 run smoothly, resist wear, and stay dimensionally true because they take on so little moisture.
Living hinges and snap-fits that keep flexing.
Ductile yet strong — the ideal material for parts that bend and click.
PA12’s toughness and fatigue resistance make it the go-to for living hinges, snap-fit enclosures, and clips that flex over and over without snapping. The transparent grade shows off internal detail.
From prototype to a part that ships.
Tough enough for real-world, load-bearing components.
Pulleys, brackets, and functional end-use parts — PA12 bridges prototyping and production with the toughness, chemical resistance, and dimensional stability to go into service. Ask us about 3 kg spools and case pricing.
PA12 Nylon vs. PA6 vs. PETG.
Pick by what the part has to survive. PA12 wins on dimensional stability, chemical resistance, and easier printing; PA6 edges it on raw toughness and heat but fights moisture; PETG is the easiest but least mechanical. Both nylons like heat and an enclosure in return for real engineering performance.
| Rev1 PA12 Nylon | PA6 (Nylon) | PETG | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toughness | Tough, ductile, fatigue-resistant | Highest raw toughness | Tough, some flex |
| Wear & friction | Excellent, low-friction | Excellent, low-friction | Moderate |
| Dimensional stability | High — low moisture uptake | Lower — swells with humidity | Good |
| Chemical / fuel resistance | Outstanding | Good | Moderate |
| Ease of printing | Moderate — more forgiving than PA6 | Demanding — hot, dry, enclosed | Easy |
| Best for | Stable / chemical / functional | Max toughness & heat | Outdoor / everyday |
General material guidance; exact performance depends on part geometry, print settings, and grade. For maximum heat and strength, consider PA6 or PC; for UV and outdoor exposure, consider ASA.
Rev1 PA12 Nylon Technical Data
Mechanical & thermal properties
Typical values for engineering reference. Printed-part performance varies with wall count, infill, layer height, orientation, and moisture — treat these as material-level guidance, not a part spec.
| Property | Typical Value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | ~45 MPa | ISO 527 |
| Elongation at break | ~150 % | ISO 527 |
| Flexural strength | ~50 MPa | ISO 178 |
| Flexural modulus | ~1,200 MPa | ISO 178 |
| Izod impact (notched) | ~8 kJ/m² | ISO 180 |
| Melting point (Tm) | ~178 °C (lower than PA6) | DSC |
| Heat deflection (HDT, 0.45 MPa) | ~80 °C | ISO 75 |
| Shelf life (sealed, dry) | 12 months | — |
Specs, profiles, and a human to call.
Your trusted materials partner.
Every spool is checked for tight diameter tolerance and reliable, repeatable printing.
Call (248) 707-2950 and reach people who actually print and support these materials.
Case quantities and standing orders across the full color range.
FAQ
Rev1 PA12 Nylon — Common Questions
How is PA12 different from PA6?
PA12 (Nylon 12) is the more stable, more forgiving nylon. Its headline advantage is much lower moisture absorption than PA6, so parts stay dimensionally stable instead of swelling with humidity, and printing is easier — a lower melting point and less warping. PA6 edges it on raw toughness and heat resistance, but PA12 adds outstanding chemical and fuel resistance and a far easier print. We ship every spool vacuum-sealed and dry.
What is PA12 Nylon best used for?
It’s the stable, chemical-resistant workhorse for functional, mechanical parts: gears, bushings and bearings, living hinges, cable drag chains, snap-fits, tooling and jigs, brackets, and durable functional prototypes. Its chemical, fuel, and oil resistance also make it a strong pick for fluid lines, connectors, and watertight or chemically exposed parts.
Do I need to dry PA12, and do I need an enclosure?
Drying is far less critical than with PA6 — PA12 absorbs much less moisture — but a dry spool (65–80 °C) still prints cleanest, especially if it’s been open a while. An enclosure is recommended: PA12 prints hot (240–260 °C nozzle, 60–80 °C bed) and warps less than PA6, but a warm, draft-free chamber still helps large or flat parts. Keep part cooling low and use glue or an adhesive sheet for first-layer grip.
How chemical- and fuel-resistant is PA12?
Very. PA12 has outstanding resistance to fuels, oils, greases, and many chemicals, which is why it’s a favorite for fuel-system parts, fluid-handling connectors, and components that see solvents or harsh environments. Combined with its toughness and low friction, that makes it ideal for functional parts that have to survive more than just mechanical wear.
PA12 vs PA6 vs PETG — which should I use?
Choose PA12 when you want a stable, chemical-resistant, easier-printing nylon for parts that slide, flex, or see fluids. Choose PA6 when you need the absolute maximum toughness and heat. PETG is the easiest to print but the least mechanical — for simple everyday prints, PLA or PETG are better picks and nylon is overkill.
When should I choose PC or ASA instead?
For maximum heat resistance and rigidity, step up to PA6 or PC (polycarbonate). For UV stability and outdoor exposure, use ASA. PA12 is the pick when dimensional stability, chemical resistance, low friction, and an easier print matter most — not when you need the highest heat or sunlight resistance.
What are the transparent and conductive grades?
Alongside Black and White, PA12 is available in Transparent and Transparent Red translucent grades — handy for showing internal detail or light-guiding parts — plus a Conductive (ESD) grade for static-safe parts, fixtures, and electronics handling. All five ship on 1 kg and 3 kg spools.
What colors and sizes are available, and how fast does it ship?
5 colors — Black, White, Transparent, Transparent Red, and a Conductive (ESD) grade — on 1 kg and 3 kg spools at $39.99 per 1 kg spool. In-stock colors ship fast; other colors are made-to-order and ship in 1–3 weeks from Michigan. Pick your color and spool size in the buy-box, or call (248) 707-2950 for case quantities.