PA12 (Nylon 12) vs PBT (unfilled): 0% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
PA12 (Nylon 12) vs PBT (unfilled)
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
PA12 (Nylon 12)
Polyamide 12 — the long-chain polyamide with the lowest moisture absorption of all PA grades (0.1-0.15% vs PA6: 1.5%). Excellent dimensional stability in humid environments. Best chemical resistance among polyamides (oils, fuels, hydraulic fluids). Lowest density of all PA (1.01 g/cm³). Also the dominant 3D printing (SLS/MJF) material. Trade names include Rilsamid (Arkema), Grilamid L (EMS), TECAMID 12 (Ensinger), Vestamid L (Evonik). Used for fuel lines, brake lines, pneumatic tubing, cable sheathing, and 3D-printed functional parts.
PBT (unfilled)
Polybutylene Terephthalate — semi-crystalline polyester with fast crystallization (short cycle times), very low moisture absorption (0.15%), excellent dimensional stability, and good electrical properties. Key advantage over PA: properties nearly independent of humidity. Trade names include Ultradur (BASF), Celanex/Crastin (Celanese/DuPont), Valox (SABIC), Arnite T (DSM). Used for electrical connectors, relay housings, automotive sensors, and any precision part in humid environments.
| PA12 (Nylon 12) | PBT (unfilled) | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Polymers | Polymers |
| Standard | ISO 10350 | ISO 10350 |
Chemical composition (wt%) — Pro
| Element | PA12 (Nylon 12) | PBT (unfilled) | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polylaurolactam (from laurolactam/12-aminolauric acid) | 99–99.9% | — | — |
| Base Polymer (Polybutylene Terephthalate) | — | 99–99.9% | — |
Mechanical properties — Pro
| Property | PA12 (Nylon 12) | PBT (unfilled) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 45–60 | 50–65 | MPa |
| Yield Strength | 40–50 | 50–62 | MPa |
| Elongation | 100–300 | 50–100 | % |
| Elastic Modulus | |||
| Density | |||
| Melting Point | |||
| Water Absorption (24h) | |||
| Glass Transition Temp (Tg) | |||
| Tensile Strength | |||
| Tensile Modulus | |||
| Elongation at Break | |||
| Charpy Impact (notched) | |||
| Density | |||
| Melting Point | |||
| HDT/A (1.8 MPa) | |||
| Water Absorption (24h) |
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Sign up free — 3 comparisons/day freeCompatibility Assessment
PA12 (Nylon 12) and PBT (unfilled) have significantly different compositions (0% overlap). These materials are not interchangeable and serve different application areas.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PA12 (Nylon 12) the same as PBT (unfilled)?
PA12 (Nylon 12) and PBT (unfilled) have a 0% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace PA12 (Nylon 12) with PBT (unfilled)?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (0% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between PA12 (Nylon 12) and PBT (unfilled)?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. PA12 (Nylon 12) is a Polymers grade, while PBT (unfilled) is a Polymers grade.
Related Comparisons
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Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
All data is for reference only. Equivalents indicate similarity, not identity. Always verify against the applicable specification for safety-critical applications. materialref.com accepts no liability for decisions based on this data.