Material
PA 12 (SLS)
High mechanical and thermal resistance make laser sintered PA 12 (SLS) an ideal choice for a wide range of applications, from functional prototypes and end-use parts, to consumer goods. This material has excellent long-term stability, is resistant against most chemicals, can be made watertight by impregnation.
Technical specifications
| Maximum part dimensions | 630 x 330 x 550 mm 270 x 270 x 270 mm (Fast Lane orders) |
| Standard accuracy | ±0.3% (with a lower limit of ±0.3 mm) |
| Layer thickness | 0.12 mm |
| Minimum wall thickness | 1 mm |
| Minimum detail size | 0.3 mm |
| Interlocking or moving parts | Yes |
| Internal channels | Yes |
| Surface structure | Grainy structure |
Datasheet
| PARAMETER | VALUE | UNIT | METHOD |
| - | 0.95 | g/cm³ | |
| DIN EN ISO 527 | 48 | MPa | |
| DIN EN ISO 527 | 1,650 | MPa | |
| ASTM D790 | 41 | MPa | |
| DIN EN ISO 178 | 1,500 | MPa | |
| DIN EN ISO 179 (Notched, Izod) | 4.4 | kJ/m² | |
| DIN EN ISO 527 | 20 | % | |
| ASTM D2240 | 75 | Shore D | |
| ASTM D648 (@1.82 MPa) | 86 | °C | |
| DIN EN ISO 10993-5 | Pass | - |
Actual values may vary with build conditions and in relation to the part’s geometry and orientation.
If you require a statement on the biocompatibility of your printed parts or need process documentation, please get in touch with our team.
Finishing degrees
The right finish can transform your print into a product. Explore the post-production finishes we offer for this material. If you have any questions or special requests, get in touch with us.
Normal
- Loose powder removed
- Sandblasted
- Fast Lane service available for online orders of PA 12 (SLS)
Sealing, standard
- Loose powder removed
- Sandblasted
- Treated with sealant that fills small pores
- Results in airtight/watertight parts
Extra smooth
- Loose powder removed
- Sandblasted
- Parts are chemically smoothed by being placed in a chamber with a vaporized solvent
- This process mainly smooths the outside of your part; the inside may be less smooth
- As the polishing process removes material from your part, you should foresee a minimum wall thickness of 2 mm
- Thinner walls (1 mm) could deform and small surface details may disappear
- Edges will be rounded and your part will become less ’crisp’ once smoothed
- Parts need to be hung up for this process; holes in the design can be used or a hook which is cut away after smoothing
- As residue from the smoothing process can accumulate in sharp inside corners (i.e. bridging effect), we advise adding chamfers to all corners
- The process is only available for parts with maximum dimensions of 560 x 360 x 330 mm
Color dyed
- Loose powder removed
- Sandblasted
- Parts are color dyed by being submerged in a bath containing color pigment
- Due to the unique nature of the laser sintering process, e.g. in terms of parameters, build position, and light deflection, color intensity may vary
- This finish is possible for parts with maximum dimensions of 400 x 330 x 360 mm (black) or 150 x 150 x 150 mm (other colors: brown, purple, blue, petrol, green, bordeaux, red, orange, yellow)
Smooth
- Loose powder removed
- Sandblasted
- Parts are mechanically polished by being placed in a tumbler, together with pebbles, which then vibrates at a high frequency
- This process only smooths the A-side (i.e. the outside) of your part; it is not possible to completely polish the inside
- As the polishing process removes 0.1 mm of material from your part, you should add extra wall thickness to avoid problems
- Small details and thin walls could be worn away and may even disappear
- Edges will be rounded and your part will become less ‘crisp’ once tumbled
- This finish is only possible for parts with maximum dimensions of 250 x 150 x 150 mm
Smooth + color dyed
- Loose powder removed
- Sandblasted
- Parts are mechanically polished by being placed in a tumbler, together with pebbles, which then vibrates at a high frequency
- This process only smooths the A-side (i.e. the outside) of your part; it is not possible to completely polish the inside
- As the polishing process removes 0.1 mm of material from your part, you should add extra wall thickness to avoid problems
- Small details and thin walls could be worn away and may even disappear
- Edges will be rounded and your part will become less ‘crisp’ once tumbled
- Parts are color dyed by being submerged in a bath containing color pigment
- Due to the unique nature of the laser sintering process, e.g. in terms of parameters, build position, and light deflection, color intensity may vary
- Colors will appear lighter than on parts that have not been tumbled
- Differences in smoothness (e.g. inside and inside of corners) may lead to some color variation
- This finish is only possible for parts with maximum dimensions of 250 x 150 x 150 mm (black) or 150 x 150 x 150 mm (other colors)
Spray paint A-side/2-side (dead matte paint, 10% gloss)
- Loose powder removed
- Sandblasted
- Dead matte paint (10% gloss) sprayed on the A-side/both sides. Painted according to RAL specifications
Primer + paint A-side/2-side (dead matte, 10% gloss)
- Loose powder removed
- Sandblasted
- Polysurfacer sprayed on the A-side/both sides
- A-side/both sides are sanded with P400
- Primer paint sprayed on the A-side/both sides (light gray)
- A-side or both sides are sanded (wet) with P800
- Dead matte paint (10% gloss) sprayed on the A-side/both sides. Painted according to RAL specifications
Primer + paint A-side/2-side (matte, 30% gloss)
- Loose powder removed
- Sandblasted
- Polysurfacer sprayed on the A-side/both sides
- A-side/both sides are sanded with P400
- Primer paint sprayed on the A-side/both sides (light gray)
- A-side or both sides are sanded (wet) with P800
- Matte paint (30% gloss) sprayed on the A-side/both sides. Painted according to RAL specifications
Primer + paint A-side/2-side (satin, 50% gloss)
- Loose powder removed
- Sandblasted
- Polysurfacer sprayed on the A-side/both sides
- A-side/both sides are sanded with P400
- Primer paint sprayed on the A-side/both sides (light gray)
- A-side or both sides are sanded (wet) with P800
- Satin paint (50% gloss) sprayed on the A-side/both sides. Painted according to RAL specifications
Primer + paint A-side/2-side (high gloss, 90% gloss)
- Loose powder removed
- Sandblasted
- Polysurfacer sprayed on the A-side/both sides
- A-side/both sides are sanded with P400
- Primer paint applied on the A-side/both sides (light gray)
- A-side or both sides are sanded (wet) with P800
- High-gloss paint (90% gloss) sprayed on the A-side/both sides. Painted according to RAL specifications
Primer + paint A-side/2-side (soft touch)
- Loose powder removed
- Sandblasted
- Polysurfacer sprayed on the A-side/both sides
- A-side/both sides are sanded with P240
- Primer paint sprayed on the A-side/both sides (light gray)
- A-side or both sides are sanded (wet) with P800
- Soft-touch paint (transparent coating) sprayed on the A-side/both sides. Painted according to RAL specifications
Primer + paint A-side/2-side (fine texture)
- Loose powder removed
- Sandblasted
- Polysurfacer sprayed on the A-side/both sides
- A-side/both sides are sanded with P240
- Primer paint sprayed on the A-side/both sides (light gray)
- A-side or both sides are sanded (wet) with P800
- Fine-texture paint (matte color paint with fine texture) sprayed on the A-side/both sides. Painted according to RAL specifications
Primer + paint A-side/2-side (spatter)
- Loose powder removed
- Sandblasted
- Polysurfacer sprayed on the A-side/both sides
- A-side/both sides are sanded with P240
- Primer paint sprayed on the A-side/both sides (light gray)
- A-side or both sides are sanded (wet) with P800
- Spatter paint (matte color paint with coarse texture) sprayed on the A-side/both sides. Painted according to RAL specifications
Additional finishes
Additional finishes are available via request:
- Primer ready to paint
- Primer + paint (texture D30/D50)
- Color dyed + spray paint
- Smooth + spray paint
- Smooth + color dyed + spray paint
- Sealing varnish
- Medical grade PA 12
To discuss your needs, please get in touch via the link below.
Train and learn
Get more from your next project with helpful resources dedicated to PA 12 (SLS) and selective laser sintering.
