Polyamide 12 (nylon 12, PA12) PA 12

spore: profile
id: pa-12
spore_version: 0.2
family: polyamides
name: Polyamide 12 (nylon 12, PA12)
abbreviation: PA 12
role: semicrystalline engineering thermoplastic; the powder grade (EOS PA 2200 and similar) is the common 3D-printing feedstock for laser sintering and multi jet fusion
category: polymers
type: polyamides
summary: |
  Polyamide 12 (nylon 12, PA12) is a semicrystalline polyamide made from laurolactam, a C12 lactam. Its fine powder is the usual feedstock for powder-bed 3D printing. For the laser-sintered EOS PA 2200 grade, the datasheet gives a sintered-part density of 0.90 to 0.95 g/cm3, a DSC melting temperature of 184 degC, a tensile strength of 45 N/mm2 and a water uptake of 1.93 % at saturation in water at 100 degC. In a 2021 study, 1500 h of accelerated weathering cut the tensile strength of non-coated additive-manufactured PA12 by about 40 % and its elongation at break by about 84 %. NASA's MISSE 2 PEACE flight set lists PA 6 and PA 66 but no PA 12, so this profile has no orbital value. Values are for laser-sintered powder parts, not for an unfilled moulded resin, which is a gap.
best_for: Ground 3D-printed functional parts from PA12 powder (laser sintering and multi jet fusion), where the printed-part values are known
weakest_at: 'UV ageing: accelerated weathering cut tensile strength by about 40 % and elongation by about 84 % for non-coated additive-manufactured PA12; water uptake reaches 1.93 % in hot water'
identity:
  formula: (C12H23NO)n, repeat unit [(CH2)11C(O)NH]n, molar mass 197.32 per repeat unit (laurolactam, C12H23NO)
  source: pubchem-laurolactam
  where: Compound record for laurolactam, CID 13690 (molecular formula C12H23NO, molecular weight 197.32); repeat unit from Wikipedia Nylon 12 (Infobox and Introduction)
  designations:
    - system: Trade name
      code: PA 2200
      source: eos-pa2200-pi
      where: Title line, Feinpolyamide PA 2200 for EOSINT P
    - system: Trade name
      code: VESTAMID
      source: evonik-pr-2010
      where: Body text, business line sentence on VESTAMID and VESTOSINT
    - system: Trade name
      code: VESTOSINT
      source: evonik-pr-2010
      where: Body text, business line sentence on VESTAMID and VESTOSINT
tags:
  environments: []
  stresses:
    - uv
  applications:
    - structures
properties:
  - benchmark: density
    label: Density, laser-sintered PA 2200 part (EOS method)
    value: 0.9
    value_high: 0.95
    bound: range
    unit: g/cm3
    scope: material
    conditions:
      state: laser-sintered part; EOS states the value depends on exposure parameters and on the x, y, z position in the build chamber
      grade: EOS PA 2200 fine powder
    method: EOS-Method as printed, range 0,90 to 0,95 g/cm3
    status: ground
    source: eos-pa2200-pi
    where: Density and Mechanical Properties of sintered parts table, row Density
  - benchmark: melting_point
    label: Melting temperature, PA 2200 powder (DSC)
    value: 184
    unit: degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      method_note: DSC as printed in the product information; heating rate not printed
    method: DSC, printed in the General Properties table
    status: ground
    source: eos-pa2200-pi
    where: General Properties table, row Melting temperature
  - benchmark: melting_point
    label: Melting temperature, PA 2200 (older EOS datasheet)
    value: 172
    value_high: 180
    bound: range
    unit: degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: EOS PA 2200 fine powder, older Material Data Sheet (revision 10.01)
    method: DIN 53736 as printed, range 172 - 180 degC
    status: ground
    source: eos-mds-pa2200
    where: Thermal Properties table, row Melting point
  - benchmark: vicat_softening_temperature
    label: Vicat softening temperature B/50, laser-sintered part
    value: 163
    unit: degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      specimen: laser-sintered part
      method_designation: B/50 as printed
    method: DIN EN ISO 306, method B/50 as printed
    status: ground
    source: eos-pa2200-pi
    where: Thermal properties of sintered parts table, row Vicat softening temperature B/50
  - benchmark: vicat_softening_temperature
    label: Vicat softening temperature A/50, laser-sintered part
    value: 181
    unit: degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      specimen: laser-sintered part
      method_designation: A/50 as printed
    method: DIN EN ISO 306, method A/50 as printed
    status: ground
    source: eos-pa2200-pi
    where: Thermal properties of sintered parts table, row Vicat softening temperature A/50
  - benchmark: specific_heat
    label: Specific heat, PA 2200
    value: 2.35
    unit: J/gK
    scope: material
    conditions:
      basis: DIN 51005 as printed; temperature not printed
    method: DIN 51005 as printed in the General Properties table
    status: ground
    source: eos-pa2200-pi
    where: General Properties table, row Specific heat
  - benchmark: cte
    label: Coefficient of linear thermal expansion, PA 2200
    value: 1.09
    unit: x10-4 /K
    scope: material
    conditions:
      basis: DIN 53752-A as printed; temperature range not printed
    method: DIN 53752-A as printed, value written x10-4 /K
    status: ground
    source: eos-pa2200-pi
    where: General Properties table, row Coefficient of linear thermal expansion
  - benchmark: elastic_modulus
    label: Tensile modulus, laser-sintered PA 2200 part
    value: 1700
    unit: N/mm2
    scope: material
    conditions:
      state: laser-sintered part; EOS states the value depends on exposure parameters and build position
    method: DIN EN ISO 527 as printed, 1700 with a tolerance of 150
    status: ground
    source: eos-pa2200-pi
    where: Density and Mechanical Properties of sintered parts table, row Tensile modulus
  - benchmark: flexural_modulus
    label: Flexural modulus, laser-sintered PA 2200 part
    value: 1240
    unit: N/mm2
    scope: material
    conditions:
      state: laser-sintered part
    method: DIN EN ISO 178 as printed, 1240 with a tolerance of 130
    status: ground
    source: eos-pa2200-pi
    where: Density and Mechanical Properties of sintered parts table, row Flexural modulus
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Tensile strength, laser-sintered PA 2200 part (EOS)
    value: 45
    unit: N/mm2
    scope: material
    conditions:
      state: laser-sintered part; EOS does not state whether this is yield or break
    method: DIN EN ISO 527 as printed, 45 with a tolerance of 3
    status: ground
    source: eos-pa2200-pi
    where: Density and Mechanical Properties of sintered parts table, row Tensile strength
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Tensile strength, SLS PA12 non-weathered (EOS P396)
    value: 45
    value_high: 46
    bound: range
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      process: SLS on EOS P396 with EOS PA2200 powder
      state: non-weathered, non-coated; averaged over X and Z build orientations
    method: Average tensile strength for the SLS parts as printed in the paper text, ISO 527 testing
    status: ground
    source: puttonen2021
    where: Section 3.2.1 (Non-weathered samples, build orientation and process differences), SLS paragraph
  - benchmark: elongation
    label: Elongation at break, laser-sintered PA 2200 part
    value: 20
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      state: laser-sintered part
    method: DIN EN ISO 527 as printed, 20 with a tolerance of 5
    status: ground
    source: eos-pa2200-pi
    where: Density and Mechanical Properties of sintered parts table, row Elongation at break
  - benchmark: charpy_notched_impact
    label: Charpy notched impact, laser-sintered PA 2200 part
    value: 4.8
    unit: kJ/m2
    scope: material
    conditions:
      state: laser-sintered part
    method: DIN EN ISO 179 as printed, 4.8 with a tolerance of 0.3
    status: ground
    source: eos-pa2200-pi
    where: Density and Mechanical Properties of sintered parts table, row Charpy-Notched impact strength
  - benchmark: moisture_absorption
    label: Water absorption at 23 C and 50 % RH, PA 2200
    value: 0.52
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      state: 23 degC and 50 % relative humidity, as printed
    method: DIN 53495 as printed
    status: ground
    source: eos-pa2200-pi
    where: General Properties table, row Water absorption, 23 C 50 % RH
  - benchmark: moisture_absorption
    label: Water absorption at 23 C and 96 % RH, PA 2200
    value: 1.33
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      state: 23 degC and 96 % relative humidity, as printed
    method: DIN 53495 as printed
    status: ground
    source: eos-pa2200-pi
    where: General Properties table, row Water absorption, 23 C 96 % RH
  - benchmark: moisture_absorption
    label: Water absorption at saturation in water, 100 C, PA 2200
    value: 1.93
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      state: saturation in water at 100 degC, as printed
    method: DIN 53495 as printed
    status: ground
    source: eos-pa2200-pi
    where: General Properties table, row Water absorption, 100 C saturation in water
  - benchmark: max_service_temp
    label: Upper temperature for steady mechanical stress, PA12 parts (EOS)
    value: 80
    unit: degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      basis: steady stress; EOS statement with no test standard named
    method: Text statement in the EOS product information, page 5 of 12
    status: ground
    source: eos-pa2200-pi
    where: Page 5 of 12, first paragraph after the creep curves (In general Polyamid12 parts show high mechanical strength)
  - benchmark: max_service_temp
    label: Short-time loading without stress, PA12 parts (EOS)
    value: 160
    unit: degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      basis: short-time loading without mechanical stress; EOS statement
    method: Text statement in the EOS product information, page 5 of 12
    status: ground
    source: eos-pa2200-pi
    where: Page 5 of 12, same paragraph as the steady-stress range
  - benchmark: min_service_temp
    label: Lower temperature for steady mechanical stress, PA12 parts (EOS)
    value: -40
    unit: degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      basis: steady stress; EOS statement with no test standard named
    method: Text statement in the EOS product information, page 5 of 12
    status: ground
    source: eos-pa2200-pi
    where: Page 5 of 12, first paragraph after the creep curves (temperature range from -40 C)
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Decrease in tensile strength after 1500 h accelerated weathering, non-coated AM PA12
    value: 40
    unit: '% decrease'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      test: QUV accelerated weathering, ISO 4982-3, 1500 h, followed by tensile testing to ISO 527
      material: non-coated additive-manufactured PA12 (SLS and MJF), average of the groups
    method: Average relative change as printed in the paper text (decreased on average 40 %)
    status: ground
    source: puttonen2021
    where: Section 3.2 (Additive manufacturing plastics), first paragraph
  - benchmark: elongation
    label: Decrease in elongation at break after 1500 h accelerated weathering, non-coated AM PA12
    value: 84
    unit: '% decrease'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      test: QUV accelerated weathering, ISO 4982-3, 1500 h, followed by tensile testing to ISO 527
      material: non-coated additive-manufactured PA12 (SLS and MJF), average of the groups
    method: Average relative change as printed in the paper text (elongation at break value 84 %)
    status: ground
    source: puttonen2021
    where: Section 3.2 (Additive manufacturing plastics), first paragraph
corrosion:
  - environment: UVB lamp exposure of laser-sintered PA12 (accelerated ageing)
    headline: UVB yellows PA12 and cuts tensile strength and elongation at break.
    effect: The abstract reports up to 2 months of constant UVB radiation. Blue-light reflectance fell continuously after 24 h, UV absorbance rose with carbonyl concentration, and tensile strength and elongation at break fell substantially, with the drop becoming noticeable between 1 and 2 weeks.
    rating: severe
    conditions:
      basis: laser-sintered PA12 under constant UVB; numbers not printed in the abstract
    source: shackleford2021
    where: Abstract
  - environment: QUV accelerated weathering, 1500 h (ISO 4982-3), non-coated AM PA12
    headline: Accelerated weathering cut tensile strength by about 40 % and elongation at break by about 84 %.
    effect: The paper reports that the ultimate tensile strength for non-coated AM PA12 decreased on average 40 % and the elongation at break value 84 %. Only the carbon-filled reinforced PA with a UV varnish did not change significantly. Reduction was greater for the polyamide than for the other materials tested.
    rating: severe
    conditions:
      basis: average of SLS and MJF PA12 groups, non-coated; accelerated test, not outdoor exposure
    source: puttonen2021
    where: Section 3.2 (Additive manufacturing plastics), first paragraph
  - environment: Continuous mechanical use in air, EOS statement
    headline: EOS gives steady-stress use from -40 to 80 degC and short-time loading up to 160 degC.
    effect: The EOS product information says PA12 parts show high mechanical strength and elasticity under steady stress from -40 degC to +80 degC, and that short-time loading without stress is possible up to 160 degC.
    rating: moderate
    conditions:
      basis: steady stress and short-time unstressed loading; no test standard or duration given
    source: eos-pa2200-pi
    where: Page 5 of 12, first paragraph after the creep curves
  - environment: Heat above the glass transition temperature
    headline: Exposure above the glass transition can degrade PA12 chains and reduce strength.
    effect: The review says exposure above the glass transition temperature can degrade polymer chains and reduce strength and elasticity. It quotes a melting temperature of approximately 180 degC and a degradation temperature of around 320 degC for PA12.
    rating: moderate
    conditions:
      basis: qualitative statement with the two quoted temperatures; no ageing time given
    source: pmc-pa6-pa12
    where: Section 5.2.1 and Section 5.2.3 (heat treatment and crystallization)
  - environment: Hot water and humid air (moisture uptake)
    headline: PA12 takes up water slowly, reaching 1.93 % at saturation in hot water.
    effect: EOS reports water uptake of 0.52 % at 23 degC and 50 % RH, 1.33 % at 23 degC and 96 % RH, and 1.93 % at saturation in water at 100 degC for PA 2200 parts. The datasheets read here do not give the dimensional change or the stiffness change caused by this uptake.
    rating: moderate
    conditions:
      basis: values from laser-sintered PA 2200 test specimens (DIN 53495)
    source: eos-pa2200-pi
    where: General Properties table, row Water absorption
risks:
  hazards:
    - text: 'Laurolactam (monomer, EC 213-424-8): PubChem reports the GHS status as Not Classified in 115 of 119 company reports. One ECHA notification from 4 of 119 reports gives hazard codes, shown as H371 (may cause damage to organs, Warning), H402 and H412.'
      ghs:
        - H371
        - H402
        - H412
      source: pubchem-laurolactam
      where: Safety and Hazards, GHS Classification (CID 13690)
    - text: 'Laurolactam precautionary codes listed by PubChem: P260, P264, P270, P273, P308+P316, P405 and P501. The pictogram is GHS08 (health hazard) with signal word Warning.'
      ghs: []
      source: pubchem-laurolactam
      where: Safety and Hazards, Precautionary Statement Codes and Pictogram (CID 13690)
  failure_risks:
    - mode: Embrittlement and strength loss under UV
      trigger: UV exposure in service, or accelerated weathering (QUV, 1500 h) in the test
      consequence: Tensile strength falls by about 40 % and elongation at break by about 84 % for non-coated AM PA12 (Puttonen 2021). Outdoor exposure was not tested in that study.
      severity: high
      source: puttonen2021
      where: Section 3.2 (Additive manufacturing plastics), first paragraph
    - mode: Water uptake and stiffness change when wet
      trigger: Humid air or water exposure; 1.33 % uptake at 23 degC and 96 % RH, 1.93 % at saturation in water at 100 degC
      consequence: Water uptake of up to 1.93 % for PA 2200 parts. The dimensional and stiffness change caused by this uptake is not quantified in the sources read.
      severity: moderate
      source: eos-pa2200-pi
      where: General Properties table, row Water absorption
    - mode: Chain degradation above the glass transition temperature
      trigger: Exposure above the glass transition temperature, quoted at a degradation temperature of around 320 degC
      consequence: Reduction in strength and elasticity from chain degradation (PMC review). No time-at-temperature data were read.
      severity: moderate
      source: pmc-pa6-pa12
      where: Section 5.2.1 and Section 5.2.3
  side_effects: []
  handling:
    - text: Unexposed powder can be reused. The EOS datasheet advises mixing it with fresh powder at a ratio of 2:1 to 1:1 (old to new) to keep the process parameters and part quality constant.
      source: eos-mds-pa2200
      where: Application paragraph on page 1
  mitigations:
    - text: A UV varnish on carbon-reinforced PA12 avoided a significant change in tensile properties after weathering. The paper reports that protective coatings improved weathering resistance, with a larger spread in mechanical values.
      source: puttonen2021
      where: Abstract and Section 3.2
uses:
  - application: structures
    device: Aerospace and automotive parts made by powder-bed fusion
    example: PA12 is used in MJF and SLS powder-bed fusion, with applications from automotive and aerospace to medical devices.
    source: pmc-pa6-pa12
    where: Section 5 introduction
  - application: structures
    device: Precision aerospace and medical components with low porosity
    example: The review says PA12 suits applications that need precision and low porosity, such as medical devices or aerospace components.
    source: pmc-pa6-pa12
    where: Introduction, PA12 paragraph
  - application: structures
    device: Fully functional prototypes made by laser sintering (ground manufacturing)
    example: The EOS material data sheet says the typical applications of PA 2200 are fully functional prototypes with a high-end finish straight from the process. This is ground manufacturing, not an in-space use.
    source: eos-mds-pa2200
    where: Application paragraph and Material Properties, page 1
supply:
  - subject: Laurolactam (C12H23NO), the monomer for PA12
    demand: No demand or market-size figure for PA12 was read in this run.
    routes: Commercial PA12 is made by ring-opening polymerisation of laurolactam at 260 to 300 degC, which Wikipedia calls the preferred route for commercial production. The other route, polycondensation of omega-aminolauric acid, releases water.
    producers: []
    critical_lists: []
    substitutes: []
    source: wikipedia-nylon12
    where: Synthesis section (Route 2 and Route 1)
  - subject: Laurolactam and PA12 production at Evonik, Marl
    demand: The press release gives no tonnes-per-year capacity figure. It says Evonik plans to expand laurolactam production capacity significantly in Marl, with the extra capacity expected by the fourth quarter of 2010.
    routes: Laurolactam is the starting material for PA12. Evonik sells PA12 as VESTAMID, an engineering material, and VESTOSINT, a powder.
    producers: []
    critical_lists: []
    substitutes: []
    source: evonik-pr-2010
    where: Press release dated 27 May 2010, paragraphs on the Marl expansion and the business line
media: []
documents:
  - title: Feinpolyamide PA 2200 for EOSINT P, EOS GmbH Product Information (revision MAG / 07.04), copy hosted by University of Zurich
    type: datasheet
    url: https://www.amf.uzh.ch/dam/jcr:59a8b14a-c212-4693-8443-d5e543aeabe2/Material-Data-PA2200-ENGLISH.pdf
    year: 2007
  - title: EOS Material Data Sheet, Fine Polyamide PA 2200 for EOSINT P (revision MAG / 10.01), copy hosted by Sculpteo
    type: datasheet
    url: https://pro.sculpteo.com/media/data/faq/pa2200-datasheet.pdf
    year: 2001
  - title: Mechanical properties and fracture characterization of additive manufacturing polyamide 12 after accelerated weathering (Puttonen, Salmi, Partanen, Polymer Testing 104, 2021, 107376)
    type: paper
    url: https://acris.aalto.fi/ws/portalfiles/portal/69022169/1_s2.0_S0142941821003214_main.pdf
    year: 2021
  - title: 'Comprehensive Review: Technological Approaches, Properties, and Applications of Pure and Reinforced Polyamide 6 (PA6) and Polyamide 12 (PA12) Composite Materials (PMC11859968)'
    type: paper
    url: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11859968/
    year: 2025
  - title: UV ageing of laser-sintered polyamide 12 (Shackleford et al., Additive Manufacturing 46, 2021, 102132)
    type: paper
    url: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addma.2021.102132
    year: 2021
  - title: 'PubChem CID 13690, Laurolactam: Safety and Hazards, GHS Classification'
    type: database
    url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/13690
    year: 2026
  - title: Evonik press release, Evonik Industries responds to strong demand for polyamide 12 by expanding laurolactam in Marl (27 May 2010)
    type: report
    url: https://publications.evonik.com/en/media/press-releases/corporate/evonik-industries-responds-to-strong-demand-for-polyamide-12-by-expanding-laurolactam-in-marl-103287.html
    year: 2010
  - title: 'NASA/TM-2008-215490: Atomic Oxygen Erosion Yield Predictive Tool for Spacecraft Polymers in Low Earth Orbit (Banks, Backus, de Groh, 2008)'
    type: report
    url: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20090011780
    year: 2008
gaps:
  - 'Flight data: NASA/TM-2008-215490 Table I lists PA 6 (3.51e-24 cm3/atom) and PA 66 (1.80e-24 cm3/atom) for MISSE 2 PEACE, and PA 12 does not appear in that table, in the density table or in the composition table. No orbital erosion yield or other flight value for PA 12 was found.'
  - 'Unfilled moulded PA12: the Evonik VESTAMID datasheets were not opened (the Material Data Center pages were unreachable, and the only Evonik PDF found was glass-filled). Density, melting point and mechanical values are therefore from laser-sintered PA 2200 parts, not from the unfilled resin.'
  - 'Hydrolysis: no PA12-specific hydrolysis number was read. The MDPI Chemistry 2023 polyamide hydrolysis review returned HTTP 403 and was not read.'
  - 'UV: the Shackleford 2021 numbers (tensile strength, carbonyl index, colour) are in the full text, which was not available; only the abstract was read, so it gives qualitative UV effects only. The Puttonen percentages are from accelerated QUV ageing, not outdoor sunlight, and the Puttonen Table 2 values did not extract from the PDF.'
  - 'Heat ageing: no oven-ageing time and temperature series for PA12 was read. A 2022 Polymers paper on PA12 powder oven storage was seen in search results only and not opened.'
  - 'Supply: no producer share by country, no capacity in tonnes per year and no critical-mineral list was read. The Evonik 2010 release gives no capacity figure. Feedstock for laurolactam (butadiene or cyclododecane) was seen only in search snippets and is not sourced here.'
  - 'Hazards: no polymer PA12 PubChem record or SDS was read, so PA12 powder is not classified here. Dust and inhalation hazards for PA12 powder are not sourced.'
  - 'Glass transition: the PMC review describes it qualitatively only, with no value, so no glass_transition_temperature is given.'
  - 'Chemical resistance and stress cracking: the Wikipedia statements were not used as values (Wikipedia is used here for composition and synthesis only).'
  - 'Verification: the EOS PDF prints decimal commas (for example 0,430 g/cm3 bulk density and 0,144 and 0,127 W/mK thermal conductivity). The value check cannot match comma decimals, so those three rows were removed here. Re-add them from the page with a dot-decimal copy of the same value if one is found.'
  - 'Property names: charpy_notched_impact is not in spores/property-canon.yaml and is used as a short name.'
  - 'Atomic weights: no per-element atomic weights were read, so mass shares of C, H, N and O were not computed.'
  - 'Designations: no UNS, EN, DIN, JIS or ASTM code for a PA12 grade was read in this run. Only trade names are listed (PA 2200 from EOS, VESTAMID and VESTOSINT from Evonik).'
  - Uses in orbit or on the Moon were not sourced. The 3D-printing uses are ground manufacturing.
sources:
  eos-pa2200-pi:
    title: Feinpolyamide PA 2200 for EOSINT P, EOS GmbH product information (PA2200_Product_information_en)
    id: EOS product information, revision MAG / 07.04; copy hosted by University of Zurich
    url: https://www.amf.uzh.ch/dam/jcr:59a8b14a-c212-4693-8443-d5e543aeabe2/Material-Data-PA2200-ENGLISH.pdf
    kind: datasheet
    year: 2007
    license: supplier datasheet, cited
  eos-mds-pa2200:
    title: EOS Material Data Sheet, Fine Polyamide PA 2200 for EOSINT P (MaterialData_PA_2200_en)
    id: EOS material data sheet, revision MAG / 10.01; copy hosted by Sculpteo
    url: https://pro.sculpteo.com/media/data/faq/pa2200-datasheet.pdf
    kind: datasheet
    year: 2001
    license: supplier datasheet, cited
  puttonen2021:
    title: Mechanical properties and fracture characterization of additive manufacturing polyamide 12 after accelerated weathering
    id: Polymer Testing 104 (2021) 107376, DOI 10.1016/j.polymertesting.2021.107376
    url: https://acris.aalto.fi/ws/portalfiles/portal/69022169/1_s2.0_S0142941821003214_main.pdf
    kind: paper
    year: 2021
    license: CC BY 4.0
  pmc-pa6-pa12:
    title: 'Comprehensive Review: Technological Approaches, Properties, and Applications of Pure and Reinforced Polyamide 6 (PA6) and Polyamide 12 (PA12) Composite Materials'
    id: PMC11859968 (PMID 40006104)
    url: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11859968/
    kind: paper
    year: 2025
    license: CC BY 4.0
  shackleford2021:
    title: UV ageing of laser-sintered polyamide 12 (Shackleford et al.), Additive Manufacturing vol. 46
    id: Additive Manufacturing 46 (2021) 102132, DOI 10.1016/j.addma.2021.102132
    url: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addma.2021.102132
    kind: paper
    year: 2021
    license: CC BY 4.0
  pubchem-laurolactam:
    title: 'PubChem CID 13690, Laurolactam: safety and hazards, GHS classification'
    id: PubChem CID 13690 (ECHA EC 213-424-8)
    url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/13690
    kind: database
    year: 2026
    license: public domain (NIH PubChem)
  wikipedia-nylon12:
    title: Nylon 12, Wikipedia (composition, synthesis and history only)
    id: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nylon_12
    url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nylon_12
    kind: web
    year: 2026
    license: CC BY-SA 4.0
  evonik-pr-2010:
    title: Evonik Industries responds to strong demand for polyamide 12 by expanding laurolactam in Marl
    id: Evonik press release, 27 May 2010
    url: https://publications.evonik.com/en/media/press-releases/corporate/evonik-industries-responds-to-strong-demand-for-polyamide-12-by-expanding-laurolactam-in-marl-103287.html
    kind: web
    year: 2010
    license: company press release, cited
  nasa-tm-2008:
    title: 'NASA/TM-2008-215490: Atomic Oxygen Erosion Yield Predictive Tool for Spacecraft Polymers in Low Earth Orbit'
    id: NASA/TM-2008-215490 (Banks, Backus, de Groh, December 2008); NTRS 20090011780
    url: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20090011780
    kind: report
    year: 2008
    license: NASA public document
license: CC-BY-4.0
updated: '2026-10-26'
review:
  status: draft
  method: assistant
  checked_values: 21
  unreachable: 2
  caveats: 4
  note: Written by an AI assistant on 2026-10-26. Values read from the EOS PA 2200 product information and data sheet (laser-sintered parts), the Puttonen 2021 paper (weathering and SLS tensile), the PMC11859968 review, the PubChem laurolactam record and the Evonik 2010 release. Shackleford 2021 and the MDPI hydrolysis review were used for qualitative statements or not read. No unfilled moulded PA12 datasheet was read.
story:
  recipe:
    line: PA12 is made from laurolactam (C12H23NO). Commercially it is made by ring-opening polymerisation of laurolactam at 260 to 300 degC, which Wikipedia calls the preferred route. The repeat unit is [(CH2)11C(O)NH]n, with the same formula as the monomer.
    parts:
      - name: Carbon
        symbol: C
        role: Twelve carbons in the repeat unit, eleven CH2 groups and the carbonyl carbon.
      - name: Hydrogen
        symbol: H
        role: Methylene and amide hydrogens of the repeat unit.
      - name: Nitrogen
        symbol: 'N'
        role: Amide nitrogen; hydrogen bonds between chains give the crystalline structure.
      - name: Oxygen
        symbol: O
        role: Carbonyl oxygen of the amide group.
      - name: Laurolactam
        symbol: C12H23NO
        role: Monomer. Ring-opening polymerisation makes it the repeat unit, so the monomer and repeat unit have the same formula.
  risk_groups:
    - title: All readers
      level: 0
      verdict: Partly verified
      lead: The monomer laurolactam is classed in PubChem with H371, H402 and H412 from a small share of notifications. The polymer has no classification in any record read here, and no PA12 SDS was read.
  why: PA12 is in this file because it is the usual powder for laser-sintered 3D printing (EOS PA 2200), and because a 2021 open-access study measured its UV ageing. NASA's MISSE 2 PEACE set lists PA 6 and PA 66 but no PA 12, so there is no orbital value here.
  uses:
    - where: Aerospace and automotive parts
      line: The PMC review says PA12 is used for powder-bed fusion parts from automotive and aerospace to medical devices.
    - where: Precision aerospace and medical components
      line: The same review says PA12's low porosity and precision suit medical devices and aerospace components.
    - where: Laser-sintered prototypes
      line: EOS says PA 2200 is used for fully functional prototypes with a high-end finish straight from the printer. This is ground manufacturing.
  can_do:
    - label: Printed-part stiffness
      benchmark: elastic_modulus
      line: EOS gives a tensile modulus of 1700 N/mm2 (tolerance 150) for laser-sintered PA 2200 parts.
    - label: Heat
      benchmark: vicat_softening_temperature
      line: EOS gives a Vicat softening temperature of 163 degC (B/50) and 181 degC (A/50) for sintered parts, with a melting point of 184 degC by DSC.
    - label: Steady-stress range
      benchmark: max_service_temp
      line: EOS states steady-stress use from -40 degC to +80 degC, with short-time unstressed loading up to 160 degC.
  compare: 'The PA12 powder datasheet (EOS PA 2200) gives a sintered density of 0.90 to 0.95 g/cm3, a melting point of 184 degC by DSC and 172 to 180 degC in an older datasheet, and a tensile strength of 45 N/mm2. Water uptake is modest for PA 12: 1.33 % at 23 degC and 96 % RH and 1.93 % at saturation in hot water. The UV result is the weak point: 1500 h of accelerated weathering cut tensile strength by about 40 % and elongation by about 84 % for non-coated AM PA12. No orbital value exists for PA 12, so the flight comparison in the PA 6 file does not extend here.'
  compare_rows:
    - scope: material
      label: Melting point
      benchmark: melting_point
    - scope: material
      label: Water uptake at saturation
      benchmark: moisture_absorption
    - scope: material
      label: Tensile strength after UV ageing
      benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
  handling:
    - Reuse unexposed powder by mixing it with fresh powder at a ratio of 2:1 to 1:1 (old to new), as EOS advises, to keep the process constant.
    - Store parts and powder protected from UV, since accelerated weathering cut tensile strength and elongation sharply. A UV varnish or other coating limited the loss in the Puttonen study.
    - Laurolactam is classed H371 in PubChem, so keep monomer exposure low during any compounding work, and read the supplier SDS for the powder grade you use.
  good_for:
    - Ground 3D-printed functional parts from PA12 powder, where printed-part data (EOS) is available.
    - Parts used indoors or shielded from UV, where the 1.93 % hot-water uptake and the steady-stress range from -40 to +80 degC are acceptable.
    - Precision aerospace and automotive prototypes, as described in the PMC review.
  watch_out:
    - 'UV: non-coated AM PA12 lost about 40 % tensile strength and about 84 % elongation at break after 1500 h of accelerated weathering (Puttonen 2021). Outdoor exposure was not tested.'
    - 'Water: 1.93 % uptake at saturation in water at 100 degC and 1.33 % at 23 degC and 96 % RH (EOS). The dimensional change is not quantified in the sources read.'
    - The values are for laser-sintered PA 2200 parts, not for unfilled moulded PA12 resin. Do not read them as resin datasheet values.
    - No PA12 flight or orbital erosion value was found, and no hydrolysis number was read.
  verdict: 'PA12 is a well-documented ground powder for 3D printing, with sourced printed-part stiffness, melting and water-uptake data from EOS and a measured UV-ageing result from 2021. Its main limit is UV: accelerated weathering removed about 40 % of its tensile strength for non-coated parts. It has no sourced orbital value, its hazard data covers only the laurolactam monomer, and its moulded-resin values are still missing.'