PA12-GF · reinforced grade
PA12-GF GF50-IM
Properties of the GF50-IM condition, compared with the other PA12-GF grades.
Pick when injection-moulded parts need near-metal stiffness and low creep in thin-wall load-bearing brackets; the 50% short glass loading gives the lowest toughness and the highest mould wear.
What is PA12-GF GF50-IM?
PA12-GF GF50-IM is PA12-GF in the GF50-IM grade — pick when injection-moulded parts need near-metal stiffness and low creep in thin-wall load-bearing brackets; the 50% short glass loading gives the lowest toughness and the highest mould wear. PA12-GF GF50-IM has a tensile strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi), stronger than 94% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 11 GPa (1.6 Msi). PA12-GF GF50-IM has a density of 1.48 g/cm³ (0.0535 lb/in³), heavier than 86% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 45°C (113 °F). GB30-SLS is the default condition FabDigit quotes; GF50-IM is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Stiff — 11 GPa (1.6 Msi), better than 96% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.35 W/m·K (0.202 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 91% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 2.5%, worse than 89% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.48 g/cm³ (0.0535 lb/in³), worse than 86% of polymer grades
- Difficult to machine — 35/100, worse than 84% of polymer grades
PA12-GF GF50-IM properties
Typical room-temperature values for PA12-GF GF50-IM — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every PA12-GF grade. Each bar shows where the value sits among the polymer grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical5
PA12-GF GF50-IM has a density of 1.48 g/cm³ (0.0535 lb/in³), heavier than 86% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 45°C (113 °F).
Mechanical9
PA12-GF GF50-IM has a tensile strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi), stronger than 94% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 11 GPa (1.6 Msi).
Thermal11
PA12-GF GF50-IM is rated for continuous service to 95°C (203 °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 25 µm/m·K (13.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical6
PA12-GF GF50-IM is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 20 kV/mm (508 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹¹ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (80/100), worse than 55% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PA12-GF GF50-IM takes about 120 MJ of energy and emits 6.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 73% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability4
PA12-GF GF50-IM's machinability is fair (35/100, worse than 84% of polymer grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability poor (20/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other PA12-GF grades and fills
PA12-GF is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the PA12-GF overview.
- GB30-SLSDefaultPick this ~30–40 % glass-bead laser-sintering powder as the default for stiff, heat- and dimensionally stable SLS parts such as fixtures, air ducts and housings; elongation is limited to 9 %.51 MPa tensile
- GF50-IMPick when injection-moulded parts need near-metal stiffness and low creep in thin-wall load-bearing brackets; the 50% short glass loading gives the lowest toughness and the highest mould wear.150 MPa tensile
- GF30-IMChoose the 30 % short-glass-fiber injection pellets for structural moldings needing 6.5 GPa modulus, fuel and oil resistance and dimensional stability, as in fuel systems and automotive brackets.120 MPa tensile
- GF15-IMUse the 15 % short-glass-fiber injection molding pellets when moldings must be stiffer than the unfilled polymer yet retain some toughness and impact resistance at 80 MPa tensile.80 MPa tensile
- GB40-MJFChoose the 40 % glass-bead Multi Jet Fusion powder for series production of thin-wall, low-warpage parts with a finer surface; tensile strength of 30 MPa is below the glass-bead SLS grade.30 MPa tensile
Working with PA12-GF GF50-IM
Is PA12-GF easy to machine?
Drilling, milling and tapping are all possible, but the glass filler is highly abrasive — use carbide or diamond-coated tools, high spindle speed, low feed and dust extraction.
Can PA12-GF be welded?
Not suitable for fusion welding of structural joints. Ultrasonic, hot-plate or laser welding of like material is possible, but at high glass content joint strength reaches only 40–60% of the base material; adhesive bonding, self-tapping screws or heat-set inserts are normally preferred.
Can PA12-GF be formed, bent or molded?
Injection moulding grades need drying at 80 °C for 4 h to below 0.1% moisture, melt 240–270 °C and mould 70–110 °C. For SLS/MJF the chamber runs at about 165–172 °C; glass-bead powder flows poorly, so control powder spreading and keep the refresh rate at 30–50% or more fresh powder.
What surface finishes work on PA12-GF?
SLS parts can be bead-blasted, vibratory-polished, dip-dyed (dark shades cover most evenly) or primed and sealed. The surface is porous, so seal or impregnate before painting. Electroplating is not possible without a conductive chemical pre-treatment.
PA12-GF 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 |
|---|---|---|
| glass beads (E-glass)default: spherical glass beads; injection variant 15–50 wt% short GF | 30 – 40 | 33 |
| additives (flow aid, heat/light stabilizflow aid / antioxidant / pigment | 0.1 – 1.5 | 0.5 |
| PA12 (polylaurolactam)PA12 matrix; laser-sintering powder about 50–60 µm particle size | ≥ 60 (balance) | — |
PA12-GF GF50-IM — frequently asked
What is PA12-GF GF50-IM used for?
PA12-GF GF50-IM is typically used for rigid housings, load-bearing brackets, fixtures near heat and threaded-insert bosses. In short: glass-filled SLS/MJF nylon.
What is the tensile strength of PA12-GF GF50-IM?
PA12-GF GF50-IM has a typical tensile strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) — stronger than 94% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is PA12-GF GF50-IM easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, worse than 84% of polymer grades). Drilling, milling and tapping are all possible, but the glass filler is highly abrasive — use carbide or diamond-coated tools, high spindle speed, low feed and dust extraction.
Can PA12-GF GF50-IM be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). Not suitable for fusion welding of structural joints. Ultrasonic, hot-plate or laser welding of like material is possible, but at high glass content joint strength reaches only 40–60% of the base material; adhesive bonding, self-tapping screws or heat-set inserts are normally preferred.
What surface finishes work on PA12-GF GF50-IM?
SLS parts can be bead-blasted, vibratory-polished, dip-dyed (dark shades cover most evenly) or primed and sealed. The surface is porous, so seal or impregnate before painting. Electroplating is not possible without a conductive chemical pre-treatment.
Can PA12-GF GF50-IM be formed, bent or molded?
Injection moulding grades need drying at 80 °C for 4 h to below 0.1% moisture, melt 240–270 °C and mould 70–110 °C. For SLS/MJF the chamber runs at about 165–172 °C; glass-bead powder flows poorly, so control powder spreading and keep the refresh rate at 30–50% or more fresh powder.
What is the maximum service temperature of PA12-GF GF50-IM?
PA12-GF GF50-IM is rated for continuous use to about 95°C (203 °F), and briefly to 155°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in PA12-GF GF50-IM?
Yes — PA12-GF GF50-IM is available for 3D printing with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- EOS PA 3200 GF Material Data Sheet (glass-bead filled PA12 for SLS) — EOS GmbH (2023)
- HP 3D High Reusability PA 12 Glass Beads — HP Inc. (2022)
- CAMPUS plastics datasheets — PA12-GF15/GF30 injection grades — CWFG / CAMPUS (2024)
- Engineering Plastics (ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2) — ASM International (1988)
- ISO 527 / ISO 178 / ISO 180 / ISO 75 test methods — 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.