3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PA12 vs PC

Compare printing settings, strength, heat resistance, dated prices and sources.

PA12 (Nylon 12) guidePolycarbonate (PC) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PA12 comparisonsMore PC comparisons
PA12 vs PC — documented properties and sources
PropertyPA12 (Nylon 12)PAPolycarbonate (PC)PC
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$64.33/kg median; $36.00–$170.67/kg across 3 dated product listings$39.99/kg median; $29.99–$92.00/kg across 9 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryPolyamide 12 — the longest-chain common nylon, with the fewest amide groups per unit mass and so the least moisture uptake[1][2]Bisphenol-A polycarbonate — an amorphous engineering thermoplastic[3][4]
Densityg/cm³1.01 specific gravity (Stratasys FDM Nylon 12, ASTM D792)[5]1.19 (Polymaker) to 1.22 (Prusament), ISO 1183; Bambu Lab 1.20; Stratasys specific gravity 1.20 (ASTM D792)[3][6][7][8]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg-equivalent spools span 36–171; the middle of the market is about 64[9][10]1 kg spools cluster near 40[7][11][12]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg36–171 across brands; IEMAI 3D 36, Fiberlogy 64 at 3DJake, 3DXTech AmideX Nylon 12 171[9][13][10]30–92 across brands; Polymaker PolyLite 30, Bambu Lab 40, Polymaker PolyMax 52, Prusament 59, 3DXTech ezPC 64 and 3DXMAX PC 92[11][7][12][13]
Market availability1–5Available from several mainstream brands[9][13]Available from several mainstream brands[7][11][13][12]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 750 g and 1 kg spools[13][9]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5, 0.75, 0.9, 1 and 3 kg spools[11][13][12]
Typical applicationsDimensionally stable functional parts, ducting and living hinges where PA6 would move too much with humidity[1][14]Light guides, lenses, under-bonnet automotive parts and impact-loaded housings that must hold shape above 110 °C[4][3]
Diameter tolerance± mmNot documented±0.03 (Prusament PC Blend)[6]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C260–290 (Extrudr DURAPRO PA12)[15]250–280 across brands; Prusament 275 ± 10, Bambu Lab 260–280, Polymaker 250–270. Polymaker's material guide gives a wider 260–310 for PC and its composites[6][7][3][4]
Bed temperature°C110 (Extrudr DURAPRO PA12)[15]90–115; Prusament 110 ± 10, Bambu Lab 90–110, Polymaker 90–105[6][7][3]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure required (passive)[1]Enclosure required (passive) — Polymaker specifies a 70–100 °C chamber, Bambu Lab 45–60 °C and rules out its P1P and A-series machines[3][7][16]
Recommended chamber temperature°CNot documented70–100 (Polymaker); 45–60 (Bambu Lab)[3][7]
Part cooling fanPart cooling fan not required (Simplify3D)[17]Off or very low — Polymaker specifies off, Prusament 20 % within a 0–30 % range, Bambu Lab 0–60 %[3][6][7]
Bed surface & adhesion aidPEI sheet with a glue stick, or a dedicated adhesive such as Magigoo[17][1]Textured PEI with glue when needed (Polymaker); smooth or textured PEI (Bambu Lab)[3][18]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/s12 at Extrudr's 150 mm/s cap on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer[15][19]24 at Bambu Lab's 300 mm/s cap on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer; Polymaker allows 50–200 mm/s and its material guide advises 30–60 for layer adhesion[7][3][4][19]
Warping tendency1–5Not documentedSevere — heated chamber needed[3][4][16]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[17][1]Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[3][16]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Moderate — retraction tuning needed[1]Moderate — retraction tuning needed[4]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning[1]Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning[4][16]
Extruder requirementNot documentedAll-metal hotend rated to 300 °C; Polymaker advises larger nozzles and high chamber temperatures to improve bonding[4]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely for unfilled grades[1]Brass fine indefinitely[16]
Abrasiveness1–5Non-abrasive when unfilled[1]Non-abrasive[3]
Nozzle clog risk1–5High — jams from moisture, heat creep or particles[14][20]Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle[4]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Moderate — good heatbreak cooling needed[17]Slightly sensitive[21]
Hotend requirementMay require an all-metal hot end (Simplify3D)[17]All-metal hot end required (Simplify3D); Polymaker advises a hot end rated above 300 °C[21][4]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5High (0.8–2 %) — Polymaker's PA12-CF10 reaches 1.5 % equilibrium against 3.33 % for its PA6-GF25, and Polymaker developed the PA12 grade specifically for lower moisture sensitivity[2][14]Low — 0.25 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); Prusa measures 0.15 % after 7 days at 22 % RH. Polymaker nonetheless calls PC highly hygroscopic in service[7][6][4]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%Not documented0.25 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.15 after 7 days at 24 °C / 22 % RH (Prusa)[7][6]
Drying temperature & time60–80 °C for 8–12 h (Extrudr DURAPRO PA12); 100 °C for 8 h (Polymaker CoPA)[15][22]80 °C for 8 h (Bambu Lab); 75 °C for 6 h (Polymaker); 70–80 °C for 6–8 h (Polymaker material guide)[7][3][4]
Symptoms when wetPopping and cracking during extrusion, then hard-to-diagnose defects[14]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing, rough surface and weak layers[20]
Effect of moisture on strengthPolymaker states its PA12 grade changes little between wet and dry, unlike its PA6-based materials; the CoPA dry-to-wet reference shows what the PA6-type response looks like[14][22]No dry-versus-conditioned figures are published. Polymaker calls PC highly hygroscopic and requires a 70–80 °C dry for 6–8 h; run wet, the loss shows as surface defects and poor layer adhesion[4][20]
Storage requirementSealed below 20 % RH with desiccant[20]Airtight containers with desiccant to prevent reabsorption[4]
Hydrolysis at melt temperaturePolymaker requires a 100 °C dry for 8 h and storage below 20 % RH; no molecular-weight loss figure is published, and the published wet data is conditioning rather than melt hydrolysis[22][23]Not documented
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa49.3 at yield and 33.4 at break printed XZ (Stratasys FDM Nylon 12, ASTM D638)[5]53.4 (PolyMax) to 69.1 (PolyLite) printed XY, ISO 527; Bambu Lab 62 +/- 2 and Prusament 63 +/- 1 at yield; Stratasys 62.3-64.6 at yield printed XZ, ASTM D638 (its PC White table duplicates the Antero 840CN03 figures and was not used)[3][24][7][6][25][8]
Young's modulusMPa1510 printed XZ and 1250 ZX (Stratasys FDM Nylon 12, ASTM D638)[5]2110 (Bambu Lab) to 2497 (PolyLite) printed XY, ISO 527; Prusament 1900, 3DXTech 2180[7][3][6][25]
Elongation at break%30 at break printed XZ against 6.5 in ZX (Stratasys FDM Nylon 12, ASTM D638)[5]3.8 (Bambu Lab) to 4.8 (PolyLite) at break, printed XY, ISO 527; 3DXTech quotes 14 at break, Prusament 5.8 at yield[7][3][25][6]
Flexural strengthMPaNot documented81.3 (PolyMax) to 108 (Bambu Lab) printed XY, ISO 178; Prusament 88 ± 1, PolyLite 106.1[24][7][6][3]
Flexural modulusMPaNot documented2050 (PolyMax) to 2640 (PolyLite) printed XY, ISO 178; Prusament 2100[24][3][6]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²11 at +23 °C and 6.0 at -30 °C (Extrudr DuraPro PA12, ISO 179/1eA); unnotched does not break[15]4.1 (PolyLite) to 21.3 (PolyMax) printed XY, ISO 179, notched; Prusament 12 ± 1[3][24][6]
Other impact dataIzod notched 138 J/m printed XZ against 71.0 J/m in ZX (Stratasys FDM Nylon 12, ASTM D256)[5]Charpy unnotched does not break on Prusa's pendulum in either orientation (ISO 179-1); PolyMax PC retains 9.2 kJ/m2 notched at -30 °C. Stratasys PC Black gives 85.3 MPa flexural strength at break in ZX against no break in XZ (ASTM D790, printed)[6][24][8]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa41.8 at yield and 41.2 at break printed ZX (Stratasys FDM Nylon 12, ASTM D638) — higher than the XZ break figure, because XZ specimens draw and neck first[5]37.1-45.3 at yield printed ZX (Stratasys PC Black and Red, ASTM D638); 41.4 (PolyMax) to 56 (Bambu Lab) printed Z; Prusa's interlayer adhesion test gives 21 +/- 2[6][24][7][8]
Brittleness1–5Tough — absorbs impact, yields before breaking[1]Tough — absorbs impact, yields before breaking[4][6]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / RockwellNot documentedShore D 79 (Prusa Polymers method) and Shore D 79 on extruded PC stock (ASTM D2240); Rockwell 70 (118) — the source does not name the scales[6][26]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Moderate — the long-chain polyamides hold load better than PLA but below PC[1]Excellent — holds load for years. Room-temperature tensile creep of moulded PC was still running unbroken at 41 MPa when the experiment was stopped for time; specimens failed within the test window only at 47-52 MPa (ASTM D638)[27]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Excellent — living hinges viable. Stratasys sells FDM Nylon 12 specifically for repetitive-flex parts such as snap-fit clips and press-fit inserts on the strength of its fatigue properties[1][5]Good[6][4]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Semi-flexible[14]Rigid[3]
Z strength as % of XY%85 (Stratasys FDM Nylon 12, ZX against XZ tensile yield, ASTM D638) — one of the least anisotropic unfilled filaments measured[5]59-73 (Stratasys PC Black and Red, ZX against XZ tensile yield, ASTM D638); 76 for PolyLite PC and 90 for Bambu Lab (printed Z against XY tensile)[7][3][8]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C94.7 printed XY and 91.9 in XZ/ZX (Stratasys FDM Nylon 12, ASTM D648 at 66 psi)[5]110 (PolyMax PC-FR) to 114 (PolyMax PC), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa; Bambu Lab 112, PolyLite 111, Prusament 113. Stratasys FDM PC reaches 144 printed (ASTM D648 Method B at 66 psi)[24][3][7][6][8]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C84.3 printed XY and 75.3 in XZ/ZX (Stratasys FDM Nylon 12, ASTM D648 at 264 psi)[5]93 (Prusament) to 117 (Bambu Lab), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa; PolyLite 107, PolyMax 99. Stratasys FDM PC reaches 141 printed (ASTM D648 Method B at 264 psi)[6][7][3][24][8]
Glass transition (Tg)°C34.0 (Stratasys FDM Nylon 12, ASTM D7426 inflection point)[5]113 (Polymaker, DSC), 142.5 (Stratasys, ASTM D7426 inflection point) and 145 (Bambu Lab, DSC); Polymaker's material guide quotes 150[3][7][4][8]
Melting point / Vicat°CVicat A 142 (Extrudr DURAPRO PA12, ISO 306)[15]Amorphous — no melting point; Vicat 117–120 (Polymaker, ISO 306); decomposition above 360 °C[3][24]
Continuous service temperature°CBounded by a Vicat softening point of 142 °C (Extrudr DURAPRO PA12); no loaded-bar service figure is published[15]113 — Prusa publishes this as the temperature resistance of Prusament PC Blend; extruded PC stock is rated 121 long term (converted from 250 °F)[6][26]
Annealing responseNot documented90 °C for 2 h (Polymaker)[3]
Thermal expansion (CTE)µm/m·K84-103 printed (Stratasys FDM Nylon 12, ASTM E831: 84.4 in XY and 85.6 in XZ/ZX over -50 to 10 °C, 89.1 over 10-45 °C, 98.2 over 45-70 °C); Extrudr quotes 100 for DURAPRO PA12 (ISO 11359-2)[15][5]51.6 in XY over -50 to 30 °C, falling to 35.8 over 30-75 °C and 11.5 over 75-130 °C; 49.2 in XZ over -50 to 120 °C (printed, ASTM E831). Extruded PC stock gives 68.4 (ASTM D696)[8][26]
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating published for the unfilled grades surveyed[15]Flammable; no UL 94 rating on standard PC, though V-0 grades exist[28][3]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Months outdoors before embrittlement[1]Degrades within weeks outdoors — unstabilised PC yellows and embrittles under UV[4]
Chemical resistanceWithstands oils, fuels and alkalis[1]Withstands oils, solvents and fuels; Polymaker rates it good against weak acids[4]
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Good — minor absorption; the least moisture-sensitive of the common nylons[14]Good — minor absorption[7]
Food contactNot food-contact certified as filament[1]Bisphenol-A polycarbonate is not offered as food-contact filament[4]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[1]Not biodegradable[4]
RecyclabilityMechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[1]Mechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[4]
Electrical & ESD propertiesNot documentedSurface resistance above 10¹³ ohm/sq — an electrical insulator, which Polymaker lists as a headline advantage[25][4]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[29]Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[29]
VOC emission rateµg/minUp to 180 caprolactam, the dominant VOC from nylon; total VOC reached nearly 200 µg/min, the highest of the nine filaments tested[29]Not documented
Ultrafine-particle emission rateparticles/min≈2 × 10⁸ median — low for ultrafine particles despite the highest VOC mass of any filament tested[29]≈4 × 10¹⁰ median — the highest ultrafine-particle rate of the nine filaments in the chamber study, above every ABS tested[29]
Hazardous species emittedCaprolactam, at up to 180 µg/min from nylon filament — the largest single-VOC emission rate measured in the study[29]Not documented
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[29]Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[29][16]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands poorly — gums rather than powders[17]Sands and machines well; the toughness means it cuts rather than chips[21]
Painting & finishingNot documentedOptical clarity survives printing, so transparent parts are usually left unpainted[4]
Gluing & solvent weldingCyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds polyamide[17]Cyanoacrylate; dichloromethane solvent-welds PC but is a laboratory reagent[21]
Vapour / chemical smoothingNo practical vapour smoothing[17]No practical vapour smoothing[21]
Support material pairingPolymaker sells a break-away PolySupport matched to PA12[17]Prints its own supports; 3DXTech sells a dedicated PC break-away support[21]
Dimensional accuracy & detailHolds dimensions better than PA6 after conditioning — Polymaker singles its PA12 grade out on exactly this point[14]Warping is the dominant accuracy limit; light transmission 89 % on PolyLite PC (GB/T 2410)[3][4]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inDissolved at 23 °C by formic acid, phenol, m-cresol, 96 % sulphuric acid or hexafluoroisopropanol — all laboratory reagents.[30][31]Dichloromethane, chloroform, DMF and dioxane dissolve it outright (Covestro, 6 days at 23 °C). Laboratory reagents.[32]
Softened or crazed byNot resistant to 10 % formic acid, phenol, chloroform or dichloromethane (Ensinger); zinc chloride stress-cracks nylon.[31][30]Methanol, butyl acetate, ether, 1 % NaOH and phthalate plasticisers stress-crack it; acetone, MEK and xylene swell it.[32]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentNone — nylon's only solvents are formic acid, phenol and HFIP, all of which degrade the part they wet.[30]Dichloromethane cement welds PC — 16.5 MPa lap shear at one week (IPS Weld-On 3). A controlled carcinogen.[33]

Material entries describe families or representative grades, not an interchangeable specification for every spool. Test methods, orientations and conditions may differ. Unknown values are marked “Not documented”. Prices and source dates remain historical snapshots; check the linked guide for product details. Differences highlight text, not a universal winner.

Sources for this comparison

  1. PA (Nylon) — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  2. Fiberon PA612-CF15 Technical Data Sheet V1.1 Polymaker · 2024-12 · tds
  3. PolyLite PC Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  4. PC — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  5. FDM Nylon 12 — Material Data Sheet Stratasys · 2021-09 · tds
  6. Prusament PC Blend Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2022-02 · tds
  7. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V2.0 — PC Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  8. PC (Polycarbonate) — FDM Material Data Sheet Stratasys · 2026-04 · tds
  9. Nylon PA12 — product listing 3DJake International · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. IEMAI 3D PA12 3D Printing Filament — store page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. Printed Solid product catalogue Printed Solid · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. Moisture Conditioning — effect on printed nylon properties Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  15. Extrudr Product Catalogue (DURAPRO PA12 data block) Extrudr · 2025-03 · tds
  16. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  17. Nylon — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  18. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V1.0 — PC FR Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  19. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  20. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  21. Polycarbonate — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  22. PolyMide CoPA Technical Data Sheet V5.4 (dry and wet status blocks) Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  23. PolyMide CoPA — Technical Data Sheet page Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · tds
  24. PolyMax PC Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  25. ezPC Polycarbonate Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  26. TECANAT natural (PC) — stock shape properties Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  27. Experimental data for creep and dynamic mechanical properties of polycarbonate and polycarbonate/ABS Data in Brief 42:108264 · 2022-06 · paper
  28. PolyMax PC-FR Technical Data Sheet V5.5 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  29. Emissions of Ultrafine Particles and Volatile Organic Compounds from Commercially Available Desktop Three-Dimensional Printers with Multiple Filaments (Azimi et al.) Environmental Science & Technology 50(3) 1260-1268 · 2016-01 · paper
  30. Ultramid Nylon Chemical Resistance guide (unmodified PA6 B27E and PA66 A27E) BASF · 2026-08 · tds
  31. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  32. Makrolon — The chemical resistance (Makrolon 2800, 6 days at 23 °C and 50 °C) Covestro · 2016-12 · tds
  33. Weld-On 3 Acrylic Plastic Cement — technical data sheet (shipped as dichloromethane) IPS Corporation · 2002-07 · tds