PA12-CF · print state · default condition
PA12-CF SLS-CF
Properties of the SLS-CF condition, compared with the other PA12-CF grades.
Pick for stiff, lightweight sintered functional parts and jigs where XY stiffness matters more than Z-direction ductility.
What is PA12-CF SLS-CF?
PA12-CF SLS-CF is PA12-CF in the SLS-CF condition — pick for stiff, lightweight sintered functional parts and jigs where XY stiffness matters more than Z-direction ductility. PA12-CF SLS-CF has a tensile strength of 72 MPa (10.4 ksi), stronger than 78% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 6.1 GPa (0.885 Msi). PA12-CF SLS-CF has a density of 1.02 g/cm³ (0.0368 lb/in³), lighter than 71% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 48°C (118 °F).
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 0.35 W/m·K (0.202 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 91% of polymer grades
- Stiff — 6.1 GPa (0.885 Msi), better than 88% of polymer grades
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 55/100, better than 77% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 25/100, worse than 90% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 9 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 88% of polymer grades
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 80% of polymer grades
- Limited ductility — 4%, worse than 78% of polymer grades
PA12-CF SLS-CF properties
Typical room-temperature values for PA12-CF SLS-CF — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every PA12-CF grade. Each bar shows where the value sits among the polymer grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical5
PA12-CF SLS-CF has a density of 1.02 g/cm³ (0.0368 lb/in³), lighter than 71% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 48°C (118 °F).
Mechanical10
PA12-CF SLS-CF has a tensile strength of 72 MPa (10.4 ksi), stronger than 78% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 6.1 GPa (0.885 Msi).
Thermal11
PA12-CF SLS-CF is rated for continuous service to 110°C (230 °F). It conducts heat at 0.35 W/m·K (0.202 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 91% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 40 µm/m·K (22.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
PA12-CF SLS-CF has an electrical resistivity of 10,000 Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (80/100), worse than 55% of polymer grades. UV resistance is good.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of PA12-CF SLS-CF takes about 160 MJ of energy and emits 9 kg of CO₂ — more than 85% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability4
PA12-CF SLS-CF's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 63% of polymer grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability poor (15/100).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other PA12-CF grades and fills
PA12-CF is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the PA12-CF overview.
- SLS-CFDefaultPick for stiff, lightweight sintered functional parts and jigs where XY stiffness matters more than Z-direction ductility.72 MPa tensile
- IM-CF30Pick when maximum stiffness/strength per unit weight is required and low elongation is acceptable.195 MPa tensile
- IM-CF20Pick for series-produced structural mouldings needing metal-replacement stiffness with PA12's low moisture pickup.150 MPa tensile
- FFF-CF15Pick for desktop/industrial FDM tooling, fixtures and covers needing low warp and higher stiffness than plain PA12 filament.70 MPa tensile
Working with PA12-CF SLS-CF
Is PA12-CF easy to machine?
Machines cleanly but the chopped carbon fiber is abrasive — use sharp carbide or PCD tools, high speed/low feed, sharp inserts and dust extraction (fiber dust is a respiratory hazard).
Can PA12-CF be welded?
Hot-plate, ultrasonic and laser welding are possible but fiber at the interface cuts joint strength well below the base material; mechanical fasteners, threaded inserts or adhesive bonding (abrade + primer) are preferred.
Can PA12-CF be formed, bent or molded?
Dry powder/pellets thoroughly (80 °C, 4–8 h); mould at 250–285 °C melt with 60–110 °C tool, generous gates and short flow paths to limit fiber breakage; in SLS/FFF expect strong anisotropy and orient parts so loads run in XY.
What surface finishes work on PA12-CF?
Only matte black finishes are practical — bead blast, tumble or vapour-smooth lightly; paint or plating needs plasma/flame or abrasive pre-treatment and an adhesion primer because PA12 is low-energy.
PA12-CF chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| carbon fiberchopped/milled PAN-based fiber; ~10–15% in SLS & filament, 20–30% in injection compounds | 5 – 40 | 15 |
| carbon black / conductive additiveESD grades only | 0 – 5 | 0 |
| PTFE / lubricantbearing grades only | 0 – 15 | 0 |
| heat stabilizer / process aid | 0.2 – 1.5 | 0.5 |
| PA12 (polylaurolactam)matrix resin, typically 70–90 wt% | balance | — |
PA12-CF SLS-CF — frequently asked
What is PA12-CF SLS-CF used for?
PA12-CF SLS-CF is typically used for drone frames, motorsport brackets, robotic end effectors and stiff lightweight housings. In short: carbon-filled SLS nylon.
What is the tensile strength of PA12-CF SLS-CF?
PA12-CF SLS-CF has a typical tensile strength of 72 MPa (10.4 ksi) — stronger than 78% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is PA12-CF SLS-CF easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 63% of polymer grades). Machines cleanly but the chopped carbon fiber is abrasive — use sharp carbide or PCD tools, high speed/low feed, sharp inserts and dust extraction (fiber dust is a respiratory hazard).
Can PA12-CF SLS-CF be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Hot-plate, ultrasonic and laser welding are possible but fiber at the interface cuts joint strength well below the base material; mechanical fasteners, threaded inserts or adhesive bonding (abrade + primer) are preferred.
What surface finishes work on PA12-CF SLS-CF?
Only matte black finishes are practical — bead blast, tumble or vapour-smooth lightly; paint or plating needs plasma/flame or abrasive pre-treatment and an adhesion primer because PA12 is low-energy.
Can PA12-CF SLS-CF be formed, bent or molded?
Dry powder/pellets thoroughly (80 °C, 4–8 h); mould at 250–285 °C melt with 60–110 °C tool, generous gates and short flow paths to limit fiber breakage; in SLS/FFF expect strong anisotropy and orient parts so loads run in XY.
What is the maximum service temperature of PA12-CF SLS-CF?
PA12-CF SLS-CF is rated for continuous use to about 110°C (230 °F), and briefly to 150°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in PA12-CF SLS-CF?
Yes — PA12-CF SLS-CF is available for 3D printing with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- CarbonMide (carbon-fibre filled PA12 laser-sintering powder) material data sheet — EOS GmbH (2023)
- PA12 CF carbon-fibre filled 3D printing filament technical data — Jabil Engineered Materials (2022)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook, Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- CAMPUS plastics database — PA12 and PA12-CF compounds — CAMPUS / Chemie Wirtschaftsförderung (2024)
- Grilamid PA12 product range technical information — EMS-Grivory (2022)
- ISO 527-1/-2 tensile testing of plastics; ISO 75 heat deflection temperature — ISO (2019)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.