PA12 NYLON (MJF)
3D print using durable, tough polyamide for end-use parts.
Material Introduction
MJF PA12 Nylon is a robust thermoplastic with excellent mechanical properties. Engineered to produce end-use parts and functional prototypes, this strong, accurate, temperature, and chemically resistant material is ideal for volume production, replacing injection moulded parts.
ALSO KNOWN AS
HP 3D High Reusability PA 12, Polyamide, Nylon 12
3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGY
Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)
LEAD TIME
From 2 working days
FINISHES
As Printed, Vibro Polished, Poly Surfaced, Black Dye
COLOURS
Natural Grey, Black Dye
PRICE
££££
Key Benefits
+ Durable material
+ Smooth surface
+ Additional finishing options
+ Stable in demanding environments
+ Detailed resolution
+ Suitable for end-use parts
+ Chemically resistant
+ Temperature resistant
+ Low coefficient of friction
+ Versatile mechanical properties
+ Biocompatible
+ Food safe
MJF PA12 NYLON BEHAVIOUR
MJF PA12 Nylon is often referred to as a versatile plastic as it displays several excellent properties, making it suitable for various applications.
Mechanical properties
Durable, strong and mechanically stable. Due to the smaller particle size, MJF PA12 Nylon produces parts with higher density and lower porosity than SLS.
Flexibility
MJF PA12 parts with 1mm wall thickness display flexibility while thicker features, over ~3mm have higher stiffness. The versatility of PA12 material makes it ideal for dynamic applications.
Chemical resistance
MJF PA12 delivers good chemical resistance to water, oils, greases, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and alkalies. MJF parts are compatible with most paints, primers and adhesives.
Temperature resistance
MJF PA12 Nylon parts have good temperature resistance. Thick parts will remain dimensionally stable in temperatures close to 175 °C, while thin parts will start to soften and lose their shape when temperatures exceed 95°C.
MJF PA12 NYLON FINISHES
All MJF PA12 Nylon 3D prints start their life with a 'Natural Grey' finish before post-processes alter their appearance and surface properties. MJF PA12 offers several finishes to meet varied requirements when considering different polymer components' desired aesthetic and mechanical properties.
Natural Grey
The natural jet-fused material is grey on the surface and black internally. Natural Grey parts have crisp edges and almost no visible layer lines due to the smaller particle size of MJF PA12 Nylon powder. The surface texture is smooth in appearance, slightly grainy and coarse to the touch, similar to an extra-strong mint.
Vibro Polish
Vibro-polishing is a complimentary service that removes the grainy surface texture, resulting in a soft finish to the touch. Without additional colouring, the polished grey finish is visually uneven but produces an excellent surface for painting. MJF parts must meet the design guidelines for Vibro-polishing.
Satin Black Dye
'Satin Black' finish is applied to 'Natural Grey' PA12 Nylon to achieve a deep black colour and improved part properties. MJF 3D prints are naturally black internally; the submersion process colours the surface to produce entirely black parts. The surfacing method enhances haptics, dirt and scratch resistance without affecting part tolerances.
Satin Black + Vibro Polish
Combining 'Satin Black' and 'Vibro Polish' finishes produces entirely black PA12 Nylon parts with a smooth surface. These parts benefit from improved properties, including dirt and scratch resistance. Parts with this finish are comparable to injection moulded components.
PA12 Nylon (MJF) Technical Data
The technical data in the table below is provided by HP, the material supplier. Download the technical data sheet
| General Properties | Test Method | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Colour | N/A | Grey |
| Particle size | ASTM D3451 | 60 µm |
| Sintered Part Density | ASTM D792 | 1.01 g/cm3 |
| Mechanical Properties | Test Method | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength, max load, XY | ASTM D638 | 48 MPa |
| Tensile Strength, max load, Z | ASTM D638 | 48 MPa |
| Tensile Modulus, XY | ASTM D638 | 1800 MPa |
| Tensile Modulus, Z | ASTM D638 | 1800 MPa |
| Elongation at Break, XY | ASTM D638 | 20% |
| Elongation at Break, Z | ASTM D638 | 15% |
| Flexural Strength (@5%), XY | ASTM D790 | 65 MPa |
| Flexural Strength (@5%), Z | ASTM D790 | 70 MPa |
| Flexural Modulus, XY | ASTM D790 | 1730 MPa |
| Flexural Modulus, Z | ASTM D790 | 1730 MPa |
| Izod Impact Notched (@ 3.2 mm, 23°C) | ASTM D256 - A | 3.5 kJ/m2 |
| Thermal Properties | Test Method | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Deflection Temperature @ 0.45 MPa @ 1.82 MPa |
ASTM D648 - A | 175 °C 95 °C |
TOLERANCES & accuracy
The table below shows the permissible variation in dimensional accuracy of PA12 Nylon parts manufactured using HP Multi Jet Fusion 5210 technology. Read more about tolerance and accuracy here.
| 3D Printing Technology | 95% of printed parts | Guaranteed Tolerance* | Guaranteed Lower Limit | Layer Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) | ± 0.15% | ± 0.3% | ± 0.15 mm | 80 microns |
*We use a percentage to calculate the tolerance for a given dimension. For example, an MJF 3D print with a measurement of 100 mm has a permissible range of 99.7 mm to 100.3 mm
Ideal for functional end-use parts
The outstanding working properties and low cost of MJF PA12 Nylon make it ideal for volume production and prototyping across different industries.
+ Original Equipment Manufacturing
+ Consumer goods and Electronics
+ Healthcare and Medical
+ Transportation and Automotive
+ Aerospace and Defence
+ Robotics
PA12 Nylon (SLS) Design Guide
Check your designs meet our guidelines for 3D printing in PA12 Nylon (SLS). The aptly named 'Design Guide' is not a rule book, and in some instances, parts with geometries that fall outside of our recommendations may print successfully. However, for best results, please use the guide.
Featured
Pricing for PA12 nylon (MJF)
MJF Material Pricing
MJF PA12 Nylon is priced using the ‘MJF Material Pricing’ method. The 3D file’s surface is offset by 3.0 mm, and the new file's volume is used to calculate the material cost of the part. You can find more information on our pricing page, including tips and tricks for how to get cheaper MJF 3D prints.
MJF PA12 NYLON CARE GUIDE
Follow this guide to help you keep your PA12 Nylon (MJF) 3D prints in good condition.
Blocked Powder
The automated blasting process clears loose powder from all shallow holes and channels. You can easily remove any powder trapped in holes with a pin or fine drill bit. Deep tunnels through a part can be tricky; we recommend designing parts without these features.
Excess Powder
Our Dyemansion technology completely de-powders parts in seconds. On rare occasions, there can be some excess powder left on the surface of the 3D print. PA12 Nylon parts are dishwasher safe due to the materials’ high-temperature resistance.
Cleaning Parts
Dirt can easily attach to the rough surface texture of powder bed fusion parts. We recommend using soap and warm water to clean PA12 Nylon parts. For improved dirt resistance, use Vibro-Polishing / Satin Black finishes.
PA12 Nylon (MJF) FAQ:
+ Are Multi Jet Fusion PA12 nylon 3D prints biocompatible?
Yes, Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) PA12 nylon 3D prints are biocompatible and comply with UK regulations for medical devices and healthcare applications. They meet the necessary standards and requirements, ensuring their safety and suitability for use in healthcare settings within the United Kingdom. However we do not guarantee this and parts from 3D People will have to be tested before use.
+ Can MJF PA12 nylon 3D prints be sanded?
Certainly, natural grey Multi Jet Fusion PA12 parts have a smooth but slightly grainy surface finish directly out of the machine. If you desire an even smoother surface, you can manually or automatedly sand these parts. When sanding any plastics, it's important to keep the material cool to avoid localized melting.
+ Can MJF PA12 nylon 3D prints be painted?
Absolutely, natural grey Multi Jet Fusion PA12 parts are excellent for paint adhesion due to their slightly grainy texture. These materials are unreactive and compatible with most primers, paints, and adhesives. To enhance the surface finish, we recommend vibro polishing geometries that display more visible layer lines.
+ What types of parts are typically produced using MJF PA12 nylon?
MJF PA12 nylon is versatile and suitable for various applications. Typical parts include:
- Housings and enclosures
- Snapfits and complex assemblies
- Fixtures, fittings, jigs, brackets, connectors, spacers, nozzles
- Medical device components (compliant with UK biocompatibility regulations)
- Automotive components, such as interior trim pieces and brackets
- Aerospace components, including lightweight structural parts
- Customized consumer products and prototypes
- Artistic and decorative objects with intricate details
+ What is HP PA12 Nylon made from?
Multijet Fusion PA12 is a fine polyamide powder primarily derived from petroleum sources. Also known as 3D High Reusability PA12, this material is engineered by HP for functional parts produced using Multi Jet Fusion 3D printers.
+ Is 3D printed Multi Jet Fusion HP PA12 nylon waterproof?
Yes, HP MJF PA12 Nylon has a higher density and lower porosity compared to SLS PA12 Nylon 3D prints. MJF 3D prints are watertight for wall thicknesses exceeding 4mm, making them suitable for applications requiring waterproof properties.
+ Does 3D printed Multi Jet Fusion HP PA12 nylon degrade in sunlight?
No, HP MJF PA12 Nylon 3D prints are UV resistant. Extensive testing has shown that MJF 3D prints exposed to prolonged sunlight exhibit negligible changes in mechanical properties. Both natural grey and satin black finishes display minimal visual changes, making them suitable for outdoor and sun-exposed applications.
Wall thickness influences printability and material properties: below 1.0mm may not print and risks damage; up to ~3mm has flexibility, and beyond this will be stiff. Thick walls may be hollowed out to avoid deformation during manufacturing, leaving the internal spaces full of unfused PA12 Nylon powder.
MINIMUM 1.0mm