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.
International equivalents
| Flag | Standard | Country | Grade | Number | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISO | INT | PA12 | — | REF | |
| 🇫🇷 | TRADE | France | Rilsamid (Arkema) | — | 95% |
| TRADE | CH | Grilamid L (EMS-Grivory) | — | 95% | |
| 🇩🇪 | TRADE | Germany | Vestamid L (Evonik) | — | 95% |
Sources: ISO 1874-1, Arkema TDS, EMS TDS, Evonik TDS
Chemical composition comparison (wt%)
Side-by-side: PA12 (Nylon 12) (COMPOSITION) (ISO 1874) vs Rilsamid (Arkema) (TRADE)
| Element | PA12 (Nylon 12) (COMPOSITION) | Rilsamid (Arkema) (TRADE) | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polylaurolactam (from laurolactam/12-aminolauric acid) | 99–99.9% | — | — |
Mechanical properties
Dry As Molded
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 45–60 | MPa |
| Yield Strength | 40–50 | MPa |
| Elongation | 100–300 | % |
| Elastic Modulus | 1.1–1.6 | GPa |
| Density | 1.01–1.02 | g/cm3 |
| Melting Point | 178–180 | °C |
| Water Absorption (24h) | 0.1–0.15 | % |
Compatibility verdict
PA12 (Nylon 12) and Rilsamid (Arkema): 95% composition match
Close equivalents but NOT identical.
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