3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PA12 vs PCTG

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

PA12 (Nylon 12) guidePCTG guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PA12 comparisonsMore PCTG comparisons
PA12 vs PCTG — documented properties and sources
PropertyPA12 (Nylon 12)PAPCTGPETG
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$64.33/kg median; $36.00–$170.67/kg across 3 dated product listings$34.99/kg median; $14.00–$50.67/kg across 5 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]Poly(cyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate) glycol — a copolyester with a higher cyclohexanedimethanol content than PETG[3][4]
Densityg/cm³1.01 specific gravity (Stratasys FDM Nylon 12, ASTM D792)[5]1.23 (Extrudr, ASTM D792; 3DXTech, ISO 1183)[4][6]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg-equivalent spools span 36–171; the middle of the market is about 64[7][8]1 kg spools cluster near 34[9][6][10]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg36–171 across brands; IEMAI 3D 36, Fiberlogy 64 at 3DJake, 3DXTech AmideX Nylon 12 171[7][11][8]14–51 across brands; CHCKX 14 in a 10-roll bundle, Push Plastic 30, Proto-pasta 35 at 1 kg, 3DXTech 51[9][6][12]
Market availability1–5Available from several mainstream brands[7][11]Available from several mainstream brands[9][6][10][13]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 750 g and 1 kg spools[11][7]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5, 0.75, 1, 3 and 5 kg spools[9][10][6]
Typical applicationsDimensionally stable functional parts, ducting and living hinges where PA6 would move too much with humidity[1][14]Transparent covers, guards and impact-loaded parts where PETG cracks[3][4]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C260–290 (Extrudr DURAPRO PA12)[15]250–270 (Spectrum, Extrudr)[3][4]
Bed temperature°C110 (Extrudr DURAPRO PA12)[15]60–100 (Spectrum)[3]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure required (passive)[1]Open frame is fine — Spectrum and Extrudr both say a closed chamber is not necessary, Extrudr adds it helps on larger parts[3][4]
Part cooling fanPart cooling fan not required (Simplify3D)[16]Up to 100 % (Spectrum); 20–50 % (Extrudr)[3][4]
Bed surface & adhesion aidPEI sheet with a glue stick, or a dedicated adhesive such as Magigoo[16][1]Textured PEI, satin or powder-coated sheets; on smooth PEI a glue stick acts as a release agent[17][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]1.6–16 at the 20–200 mm/s Extrudr rates the material for, on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer[4][19]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[16][1]Needs the right surface or a thin adhesive — the problem is releasing the part, not sticking it[17][18]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Moderate — retraction tuning needed[1]Moderate — retraction tuning needed; Polymaker names stringing as PETG's common quirk[18]
Shrinkage%Not documented0.2–0.5 (Extrudr, ASTM D955)[4]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning[1]Easy — minor profile tuning[3][4]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely for unfilled grades[1]Brass fine indefinitely — Extrudr explicitly states no hardened nozzle is needed[4]
Abrasiveness1–5Non-abrasive when unfilled[1]Non-abrasive[4]
Nozzle clog risk1–5High — jams from moisture, heat creep or particles[14][20]Low — 3DXTech lists no special nozzle concerns and no minimum layer height for PCTG, only a 65 °C pre-dry[21]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Moderate — good heatbreak cooling needed[16]Slightly sensitive[22]
Hotend requirementMay require an all-metal hot end (Simplify3D)[16]No special hot-end required[22]
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]Moderate (0.3–0.8 %) — the copolyester matrix reaches 0.40 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH and 3DXTech specifies a 65 °C, 4 h pre-dry[17][21]
Drying temperature & time60–80 °C for 8–12 h (Extrudr DURAPRO PA12); 100 °C for 8 h (Polymaker CoPA)[15][23]Not documented
Symptoms when wetPopping and cracking during extrusion, then hard-to-diagnose defects[14]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[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][23]Polymaker groups PETG with nylon, PVA and TPU as highly hygroscopic; no dry-versus-conditioned strength figures are published for this grade and the loss shows as bubbling and poor layer adhesion[20]
Storage requirementSealed below 20 % RH with desiccant[20]Sealed with desiccant; Polymaker groups PETG with the highly hygroscopic materials[20][18]
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[23][24]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]43–44 at yield and 45–46 at break (ISO 527, injection-moulded resin data from Spectrum and Extrudr); 48 on My Tech Fun printed bars[3][4][25]
Young's modulusMPa1510 printed XZ and 1250 ZX (Stratasys FDM Nylon 12, ASTM D638)[5]Not documented
Elongation at break%30 at break printed XZ against 6.5 in ZX (Stratasys FDM Nylon 12, ASTM D638)[5]215–220 at break on moulded specimens (ISO 527); 4.3–4.4 at yield[3][4]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²11 at +23 °C and 6.0 at -30 °C (Extrudr DuraPro PA12, ISO 179/1eA); unnotched does not break[15]93–94 notched Izod at 23 °C on moulded specimens (ISO 180); 3DXTech quotes 8 by ISO 180/A[3][4][6]
Other impact dataIzod notched 138 J/m printed XZ against 71.0 J/m in ZX (Stratasys FDM Nylon 12, ASTM D256)[5]Izod 4.14 kJ/m² on My Tech Fun printed bars, against 3.37 for PETG on the same rig[25]
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]21.6 on My Tech Fun 4×4 mm printed bars, against 32.9 for PETG[25]
Brittleness1–5Tough — absorbs impact, yields before breaking[1]Tough — absorbs impact, yields before breaking[3][4]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / RockwellNot documented69 Shore D measured by My Tech Fun, against 72 for PETG[25]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Moderate — the long-chain polyamides hold load better than PLA but below PC[1]Below average — a 12 mm bar sagged to 19.4 mm over 5 days at 1.25 kg, slightly worse than PETG's 18.2[25]
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 — 215 % elongation at break and 94 kJ/m² notched Izod on moulded specimens (Extrudr, Spectrum)[3][4]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Semi-flexible[14]Slightly flexible in thin sections[25]
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]Not documented
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]Not documented
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]Not documented
Glass transition (Tg)°C34.0 (Stratasys FDM Nylon 12, ASTM D7426 inflection point)[5]78 (3DXTech, DSC)[6]
Melting point / Vicat°CVicat A 142 (Extrudr DURAPRO PA12, ISO 306)[15]Amorphous — no melting point; Vicat 88 (Spectrum, Extrudr)[3][4]
Continuous service temperature°CBounded by a Vicat softening point of 142 °C (Extrudr DURAPRO PA12); no loaded-bar service figure is published[15]68 — loaded bars begin to move at this temperature, against 65 for PETG[25]
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]Not documented
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating published for the unfilled grades surveyed[15]Flammable; no UL 94 rating published for standard grades[26]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Months outdoors before embrittlement[1]Not documented
Chemical resistanceWithstands oils, fuels and alkalis[1]Withstands acids, alkalis, oils and UV exposure[18]
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Good — minor absorption; the least moisture-sensitive of the common nylons[14]Good — minor absorption; Spectrum describes the polymer as hydrophobic[3]
Food contactNot food-contact certified as filament[1]Not certified for food contact as filament[18]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[1]Not biodegradable[18]
RecyclabilityMechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[1]Not accepted in household plastic collection[18]
Electrical & ESD propertiesNot documentedSurface resistance above 10¹³ ohm/sq — insulating (3DXTech, ASTM D257)[6]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[27]Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[27]
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[27]Not documented
Ultrafine-particle emission rateparticles/min≈2 × 10⁸ median — low for ultrafine particles despite the highest VOC mass of any filament tested[27]Not documented
Hazardous species emittedCaprolactam, at up to 180 µg/min from nylon filament — the largest single-VOC emission rate measured in the study[27]Not documented
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[27]Open a window / occasional ventilation[27]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands poorly — gums rather than powders[16]Sands poorly — the material is tough and gums rather than powders[22]
Gluing & solvent weldingCyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds polyamide[16]Cyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds PETG cleanly[22]
Vapour / chemical smoothingNo practical vapour smoothing[16]No practical vapour smoothing[22]
Support material pairingPolymaker sells a break-away PolySupport matched to PA12[16]Prints its own supports; Polymaker rates PolyDissolve S1 for PETG[22]
Dimensional accuracy & detailHolds dimensions better than PA6 after conditioning — Polymaker singles its PA12 grade out on exactly this point[14]Optical clarity is the selling point; Extrudr recommends a layer height at most 50 % of nozzle diameter[4]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inDissolved at 23 °C by formic acid, phenol, m-cresol, 96 % sulphuric acid or hexafluoroisopropanol — all laboratory reagents.[28][29]No common workshop solvent; Eastman's CHDM copolyester data shows 1,2-dichloroethane destroying it within a week.[30]
Softened or crazed byNot resistant to 10 % formic acid, phenol, chloroform or dichloromethane (Ensinger); zinc chloride stress-cracks nylon.[29][28]Acetone, ethyl acetate, toluene and DMF swell and soften the copolyester; methanol crazes it (Eastman, 1 y at 23 °C).[30]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentNone — nylon's only solvents are formic acid, phenol and HFIP, all of which degrade the part they wet.[28]Dichloromethane brushed on is the only agent that smooths PETG — a controlled carcinogen, not workshop stock.[31]

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. Spectrum Premium PCTG Technical Data Sheet Spectrum Filaments · 2026-08 · tds
  4. Extrudr PCTG technical data Extrudr · 2026-08 · tds
  5. FDM Nylon 12 — Material Data Sheet Stratasys · 2021-09 · tds
  6. MAX-G PCTG Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  7. Nylon PA12 — product listing 3DJake International · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. IEMAI 3D PA12 3D Printing Filament — store page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. Push Plastic product catalogue Push Plastic · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. Proto-pasta product catalogue Proto-pasta · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. CHCKX 10KG Multicolor PCTG Filament bundle CHCKX (Amazon US) · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. Atomic Filament product catalogue Atomic Filament · 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. Nylon — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  17. Prusament PETG Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2022-02 · tds
  18. PETG — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  19. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  20. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  21. MAX-G PCTG — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  22. PET and PETG — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  23. PolyMide CoPA Technical Data Sheet V5.4 (dry and wet status blocks) Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  24. PolyMide CoPA — Technical Data Sheet page Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · tds
  25. PCTG vs PETG comparison — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  26. Prusament PETG V0 Technical Datasheet Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · tds
  27. 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
  28. Ultramid Nylon Chemical Resistance guide (unmodified PA6 B27E and PA66 A27E) BASF · 2026-08 · tds
  29. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  30. Eastman Spectar copolyester — Chemical resistance (unstressed bars, 1 year at 23 °C) Eastman Chemical Company · 2026-08 · tds
  31. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc