PA12 filament
Nylon 12 (polyamide 12)
PA12 (nylon 12) is the most dimensionally stable of the common nylons. It absorbs far less moisture than PA6, so parts keep their size and properties in damp conditions, and it is one of the easier nylons to print well.
50 PA12 filaments from 26 brands, in 90 colours.
At a glance
Our rating- Ease of printing
- Toughness
- Stiffness
- Heat resistance
- Outdoor and UV
- Flexibility
- Dry before printing
Typical settings
Median values across all PA12 filaments. Always check the maker's recommendations for a specific filament.
- Nozzle
- 240–270 °C
- Bed
- 80–100 °C
- Density
- 1.01 g/cm³
- Max drying temperature
- 70 °C
Diameters: 1.75 mm (90 colours), 2.85 mm (2 colours)
Colours
Popular PA12 filaments
Browse all 50-
10 colours
Fiberlogy
PA12
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9 colours
Fiberlogy
Nylon PA12
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8 colours
MatterHackers
PA12 GF
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5 colours
Add-North
PA12 Adura
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4 colours
Fiberlogy
Nylon Gf15 GF PA12
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3 colours
Eryone
PA12 Nylon
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3 colours
extrudr
DuraPro PA12
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3 colours
PrimaCreator
Nylonpower Glass Primaselect GF PA12
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2 colours
Fiberlogy
Nylon PA12+GF15
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2 colours
FilamentPM
PA12 CF
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2 colours
IEMAI
PA12
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1 colour
3DXTech
PA12 3DXStat ESD
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1 colour
3DXTech
PA12 CF
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1 colour
3DXTech
PA12 GF
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1 colour
3DXTech
PA12
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1 colour
Add-North
PA12 Addbor N25
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1 colour
Add-North
PA12 Addlantis
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1 colour
Add-North
PA12 Adura FDA
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1 colour
Add-North
PA12 Adura X
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1 colour
Bambu Lab
PA12 CF
-
1 colour
Devil Design
PA12
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1 colour
ELEGOO
PAHT-CF
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1 colour
Eryone
PA12-CF
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1 colour
Eryone
PA12-GF
Top PA12 brands
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Fiberlogy
7 product lines
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Add-North
5 product lines
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3DXTech
4 product lines
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Eryone
3 product lines
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IEMAI
3 product lines
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eSUN 3D
2 product lines
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extrudr
2 product lines
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FiberThree
2 product lines
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FilamentPM
2 product lines
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MatterHackers
2 product lines
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PrimaCreator
2 product lines
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QIDI Tech
2 product lines
About PA12
Properties
- Tough, slightly flexible and wear resistant, with low friction.
- Low moisture absorption for a nylon, so parts stay stable in humid environments.
- Good chemical resistance, including to oils, fuels and many solvents.
- Lower strength and heat resistance than PA6, but more consistent.
- Often sold with carbon fibre (PA12-CF) for a stiff, matte, very stable part.
Good for
- Functional parts that must keep accurate dimensions
- Clips, snap fits and living hinges
- Fuel and oil contact parts, such as clips and guides near engines
- Jigs and fixtures, especially in carbon fibre filled grades
Less suited to
- The highest-temperature applications, where PA6, PC or PPA grades do better
- Parts that need maximum stiffness without fibre reinforcement
Printing tips
- Nozzle around 240–280 °C and bed around 60–100 °C, depending on the grade.
- Dry before printing and store in a dry box. It is less thirsty than PA6 but still prints best dry.
- An enclosure helps with larger parts.
- Carbon or glass fibre grades need a hardened, wear-resistant nozzle.
PA12 questions
Is PA12 easier to print than PA6?
Yes. PA12 absorbs much less moisture and warps less, so it prints more predictably than PA6. See PA6 vs PA12.
When should I choose PA12 over PA6?
When you need parts that keep their size and properties in damp conditions. Choose PA6 when you need the most strength and heat resistance.
Does PA12 still need drying?
Yes, though it is less sensitive than PA6. Dry it before printing and keep it in a dry box for the best results.
Is PA12 good for snap fits and hinges?
Yes. It is tough and slightly flexible, so clips and living hinges flex without cracking. For the most hinge cycles, PP is even better.
Is PA12-CF worth it?
For stiff, accurate parts such as jigs, fixtures and brackets, often yes. The carbon fibre makes parts much stiffer and more stable and gives a clean matte finish, but it needs a hardened nozzle.