PA12 (Nylon 12) vs PET (Polyester): 0% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
PA12 (Nylon 12) vs PET (Polyester)
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.
PET (Polyester)
Polyethylene Terephthalate (semi-crystalline stock shape) — combines the stiffness of POM with the wear resistance of PA, without centerline porosity or moisture sensitivity. Excellent dimensional stability, low friction, very low water absorption (~0.1%). Better creep resistance than POM or PA. Widely known from bottles/packaging, but engineering PET-P is semi-crystalline and much stiffer. Trade names include Ertalyte (MCAM), Arnite (DSM), Rynite (DuPont, GF grades). Used for precision bearings in water, gears, slide elements, pump parts, and electrical insulators.
| PA12 (Nylon 12) | PET (Polyester) | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Polymers | Polymers |
| Standard | ISO 10350 | ISO 10350 |
Chemical composition (wt%) — Pro
| Element | PA12 (Nylon 12) | PET (Polyester) | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polylaurolactam (from laurolactam/12-aminolauric acid) | 99–99.9% | — | — |
| Base Polymer (Polyethylene Terephthalate) | — | 99–99.9% | — |
Mechanical properties — Pro
| Property | PA12 (Nylon 12) | PET (Polyester) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 45–60 | 55–80 | MPa |
| Yield Strength | 40–50 | 50–60 | MPa |
| Elongation | 100–300 | 30–80 | % |
| Elastic Modulus | |||
| Density | |||
| Melting Point | |||
| Water Absorption (24h) | |||
| Glass Transition Temp (Tg) |
Sign up free and get 3 full comparisons immediately.
Sign up free — 3 comparisons/day freeCompatibility Assessment
PA12 (Nylon 12) and PET (Polyester) 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 PET (Polyester)?
PA12 (Nylon 12) and PET (Polyester) have a 0% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace PA12 (Nylon 12) with PET (Polyester)?
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 PET (Polyester)?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. PA12 (Nylon 12) is a Polymers grade, while PET (Polyester) is a Polymers grade.
Related Comparisons
View full data for each material:
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.