What is SLS PA12-GF (glass-filled Nylon 12)?
PA12-GF is Nylon 12 reinforced with glass fibre, which nearly doubles the stiffness and lifts heat resistance under load well above unfilled PA12. It is the SLS grade for rigid, load-bearing and thermally stressed parts. RYSE 3D prints it on the Formlabs Fuse 1+ 30W with no supports, so complex rigid geometry comes free.
What is the difference between PA12-GF and PA12?
Stiffness and heat, at the cost of ductility. PA12-GF reaches 2,800 MPa tensile modulus against PA12’s 1,450, and holds 113 °C at 1.8 MPa against PA12’s 46 °C. But elongation falls from 25% to 4% and impact from 60 to 36 J/m. Glass filling buys rigidity, not toughness — and tensile strength actually drops slightly, from 42 to 38 MPa.
How stiff and strong is PA12-GF?
Tensile modulus is 2,800 MPa and flexural modulus 2,400 MPa, to ASTM D638-14 Type 1 and ASTM D790-15. Ultimate tensile strength is 38 MPa and flexural strength 56 MPa. If you need stiffness beyond this, carbon-filled PA12-CF reaches 8,300 MPa tensile modulus in the X direction.
How heat-resistant is PA12-GF?
Heat deflection is 170 °C at 0.45 MPa and 113 °C at 1.8 MPa to ASTM D648-16, with a Vicat softening temperature of 175 °C. The 1.8 MPa figure is the one that matters for loaded parts, and at 113 °C it is more than double PA12 and PA11, which both sit at 46 °C. That gap is the main reason to specify PA12-GF.
Is PA12-GF chemically resistant?
Yes. Printed parts absorb just 0.24% water, and the data sheet records under 1.5% weight gain after 24 hours in mineral oil, hydraulic oil, diesel, Skydrol and salt water. It also handles concentrated hydrochloric acid far better than unfilled PA12 — 0.8% weight gain against 5.6%.
Does PA12-GF have a flame rating?
The source samples achieved UL 94 HB on a 3.00 mm specimen. HB is the lowest UL 94 classification, and the result relates to the tested samples rather than certifying a finished component. Where ignition performance is the constraint, specify our flame-retardant PC/ABS or UL94 V-0 SLA resin instead.
Is PA12-GF biocompatible?
The manufacturer’s technical data sheet reports that source samples passed ISO 10993-5 cytotoxicity and ISO 10993-10 irritation and sensitisation evaluations. Those results relate to the tested samples and are not device certification. If you have a specific regulatory requirement, contact us and we’ll set out what evidence is available.
Can PA12-GF be used for snap-fits or living hinges?
No — this is the wrong grade for anything that flexes. At 4% elongation in X/Y and 3% in Z it is markedly more brittle than unfilled nylon, and clips crack rather than deform. Use SLS PA11 at 40% elongation, or SLS PA12 at 25%.
What is PA12-GF used for?
Rigid load-path components, jigs and fixtures carrying sustained load, thermally stressed housings, electronic enclosures, ducts and manifolds, connector bodies, parts with threads and sockets, composite tooling prototypes and end-use industrial parts.
What colour is PA12-GF and how is it finished?
PA12-GF prints in a dark grey. Parts can be bead blasted, dyed black, sanded, polished or painted in-house. It takes finishing well, which is why it suits visible end-use housings and trim as well as hidden load-path work.
How do I order PA12-GF 3D printed parts in the UK?
Upload your CAD to our instant online quote and select SLS PA12-GF. As a UK 3D printing service bureau we print, finish and inspect every part in-house in Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire, and ship UK-wide — from a single prototype to 100,000 parts.
