Description

Basic Nylon PA12 — Easier-Printing Nylon with Low Moisture Absorption

Basic Nylon PA12 offers the same core nylon advantages as PA6 — high strength, heat resistance, and excellent oil and grease resistance — with one major practical benefit: significantly lower moisture absorption. Where PA6 demands strict drying discipline to print reliably, PA12 is far more forgiving in storage and handling, making it the easier nylon to work with day-to-day while still delivering genuine engineering performance.

Why PA12 Over PA6?

Low Moisture Absorption

This is the headline difference. PA12 absorbs moisture at a fraction of the rate of PA6, meaning it stays print-ready for longer between drying sessions, tolerates brief open-air exposure without ruining print quality, and requires less frequent re-drying during storage. If you’ve struggled with nylon’s notorious moisture sensitivity before, PA12 removes most of that frustration.

Easier Printing

PA12’s lower moisture sensitivity translates directly into more consistent, easier printing — fewer surface defects from residual moisture, more predictable extrusion, and a shorter path from unboxing to reliable prints.

Same Core Strengths

PA12 retains nylon’s characteristic toughness, fatigue resistance, and chemical resistance to oils, fuels, and greases — the same properties that make nylon the material of choice for gears, snap-fits, and mechanical components subject to repeated stress.

Print Settings

Nozzle temperature: 230–300°C — requires an all-metal hotend rated for these temperatures
Bed temperature: 100–120°C — PA-specific adhesive or garolite surface recommended
Print speed: 50–200 mm/s
Enclosure: recommended — reduces warping on larger parts
Drying: 75–100°C for 6+ hours before printing — still recommended for best results, even though PA12 is far more forgiving than PA6 if drying is occasionally skipped
Spool: cardboard — AMS compatible

Applications

Functional gears, bushings, and bearings, snap-fit assemblies and living hinges subject to repeated flexing, mechanical brackets and fixtures in workshop or automotive environments, parts exposed to oils, greases, and fuels, replacement components for tools and machinery, any application needing fatigue resistance under cyclic mechanical stress — especially where consistent print quality without obsessive moisture management matters.

PA12 vs PA6 — Which to Choose

PA12 ($59.99)

Low moisture absorption — easier to store and print reliably. Slightly higher price. Best for users who want nylon’s mechanical performance without the drying discipline PA6 demands.

PA6 ($29.99)

Higher moisture sensitivity — requires strict drying before every session. Lower price. Best for users comfortable managing nylon’s moisture requirements who want to save on cost.

Both deliver genuine nylon strength and chemical resistance — the choice comes down to budget versus convenience.

Filament Specifications

Print Recommendations

Drying Recommendation

Manufacturer Data Sheet