PA12 Nylon

PA12 filament for clips, hinges, fittings and housings that need to flex and take impacts, in unfilled PA12 nylon plus carbon fibre PA12-CF and glass fibre PA12-GF for stiffer, more dimensionally stable parts.

What makes PA12 filament different

PA12 is the nylon to choose when you want nylon's toughness and wear resistance with fewer moisture headaches. Compared with PA6, it absorbs less moisture and holds its dimensions better as conditions change, while keeping the natural flexibility that lets parts absorb stress and movement without turning brittle.

The reason sits in the chemistry. The number in the name counts the carbon atoms in each repeating unit of the polymer chain: 12 for PA12, 6 for PA6. Water is attracted to the amide links between those units, and PA12's longer segments mean fewer amide links in the same amount of plastic, so less water is taken up.

PA12, PA12-CF and PA12-GF compared

Product	Best for	Nozzle / bed	Drying
PA12 Nylon	Clips, hinges and parts that flex and take impacts, in Black or White	See the product page	See the product page
PA12-CF	Rigid, accurate brackets, fixtures and housings, in Carbon Fibre Black	260-280°C / 60-90°C	80°C for at least 12 hours
PA12-GF	Stiff, stable jigs, fixtures and brackets with reduced warping, in Black or Natural	See the product page	See the product page

PA12-CF is the grade with full published settings in our data: 270°C nozzle and 80°C bed recommended, 40 to 60mm/s with 50mm/s recommended, an HDT of 90°C and tensile strength of 50 to 55 MPa. It is 85% nylon and 15% carbon fibre, and should be annealed for 3 hours at 80 to 100°C after printing. For PA12 Nylon and PA12-GF, check each product page for settings.

PA12 vs PA6: which should you print?

Choose PA12 for lower moisture uptake, better dimensional stability in changing humidity, natural flexibility and resistance to oils, fuels, greases and many common chemicals.
Choose PA6 when you need greater strength and rigidity and can keep up with stricter drying, which for our PA6 means 80°C for 12 hours or more, ideally 24.

Within PA12, use the unfilled grade for parts that must flex, and PA12-CF or PA12-GF for parts that must hold their shape under load. To compare PA12 with PA6, PPA and every reinforced grade, browse our full nylon filament range.

Where PA12 nylon earns its place

Clips and snap fits: flexibility lets clips deflect and spring back. Our guide to tolerances and fit helps you design parts that click together.
Hinges and flexing parts: covers, latches and mounts that move repeatedly.
Fluid fittings and guides: hose guides, fitting covers and clips near oils, fuels and greases. Test first, and never use printed parts in pressurised or safety critical systems.
Impact and wear parts: protective housings, bushings and gears that take knocks and friction.

Printing notes for PA12

Lower moisture uptake does not mean no drying. Dry PA12 before use, feed long prints from a dry box and store spools sealed with fresh desiccant. See how to store filament in Australia's humidity for practical tips. PA12-CF and PA12-GF contain abrasive fibres, so use a hardened steel nozzle, and our data recommends an enclosed printer for both. Ventilate the room while printing.

Buying PA12 filament from OzFDM

All three PA12 grades are 1kg rolls, so they count toward volume pricing alongside our carbon fibre, glass fibre and other filament: 5% off 3 or more rolls, 10% off 6 or more, 15% off 12 or more, or 20% off a full carton of 12 in one colour and material. Spend over $299 after discounts for free Australia-wide shipping, excluding PO Boxes.

PA12 filament FAQs

Does PA12 still need drying if it absorbs less moisture?

Yes. PA12 absorbs less moisture than PA6, but it is still nylon, and damp filament gives rough surfaces and weaker layer bonding. Dry PA12-CF at 80°C for at least 12 hours, and follow the product page for PA12 Nylon and PA12-GF. Store every spool in a sealed bag with fresh desiccant, and print long jobs from a dry box.

Is PA12 or PA6 stronger?

PA6 generally offers greater strength and rigidity when it is properly dried and printed. PA12 trades a little of that for lower moisture uptake, better dimensional stability and more flexibility, which often makes it the more practical choice for clips, hinges and parts that see impacts. If you need PA12 stiffness, PA12-CF and PA12-GF add fibre reinforcement.

Can PA12 be used for fuel or oil fittings?

PA12 offers good resistance to oils, fuels, greases and many common chemicals, so it suits clips, guides and covers in workshops and vehicles. Printed parts still have layer lines and can vary with print quality, so test each part in real conditions. Do not use printed parts in pressurised, load critical or safety critical fuel and fluid systems.

Do I need a hardened nozzle for PA12 filament?

For PA12-CF and PA12-GF, yes. Their carbon and glass fibre reinforcement is abrasive and wears brass nozzles, and our PA12-CF data recommends a hardened steel nozzle and an enclosed printer. A worn nozzle loses accuracy and extrusion consistency. Check the PA12 Nylon product page for its specific nozzle advice before printing.

Can I print PA12 from an AMS?

Unfilled PA12 Nylon can be used with standard AMS systems that support PA materials, if the spool fits and the filament stays dry. PA12-CF and PA12-GF are better loaded manually or fed from a compatible dry box, because the abrasive fibres can wear feeder gears and tubing. AMS Lite is generally not suitable for third party carbon fibre filament.