SLS Sintering Material Comparison
PA12, PA11, PA12-GF: mechanical properties and selection guide for your functional parts.
Get a free quoteSelective Laser Sintering (SLS) produces functional parts without supports, directly from nylon powder. The three most common powders — PA12, PA11 and glass-filled PA12 — offer very different performance characteristics. This comparison helps you choose.
Properties comparison
| PA12 | PA11 | PA12-GF | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 48 MPa | 46 MPa | 51 MPa |
| Elongation at break | 18% | 30% | 4% |
| Elastic modulus | 1.7 GPa | 1.4 GPa | 3.2 GPa |
| Impact resistance (Charpy) | 5 kJ/m² | 8 kJ/m² | 3.5 kJ/m² |
| Max use temperature | 150 °C (short), 80 °C (continuous) | 80 °C (continuous) | 110 °C (continuous) |
| Density | 0.95 g/cm³ | 1.04 g/cm³ | 1.22 g/cm³ |
| Indicative price (part) | €€ | €€€ | €€€ |
Detailed material sheets
PA12 (Polyamide 12)
The most widely used SLS material. PA12 offers an excellent balance of strength, flexibility and cost. It's the default choice for most industrial applications.
Advantages
- Best performance-to-price ratio in SLS
- Good mechanical and chemical resistance
- Grainy but uniform surface (dyeable)
- Available from most SLS service providers
Disadvantages
- Absorbs moisture (2–3%) affecting properties
- Rough surface requires post-processing for visuals
- Less flexible than PA11
Typical use cases
- Functional parts in small/medium batches
- Housings, connectors and clips
- Industrial tooling and jigs
- Automotive replacement parts
PA11 (Polyamide 11)
Derived from castor oil (bio-sourced), PA11 stands out for its superior flexibility and impact resistance compared to PA12. Ideal for parts subject to repeated stress.
Advantages
- High elongation (30%): ductile and fatigue-resistant
- Excellent impact and vibration resistance
- Bio-sourced (castor oil)
- Better chemical resistance than PA12
Disadvantages
- More expensive than PA12
- Less available (not all providers offer it)
- Lower elastic modulus (less rigid parts)
Typical use cases
- Living hinges and repeated-flex clips
- Aerospace and automotive parts
- Components subject to vibrations
- Applications requiring bio-sourced certification
PA12-GF (Glass-Filled Polyamide 12)
Glass fiber reinforced PA12 offers significantly higher stiffness and thermal performance. It approaches the performance of injection-molded technical parts.
Advantages
- High stiffness (3.2 GPa modulus, nearly double vs PA12)
- Excellent thermal performance (110 °C continuous)
- Low creep under load
- Superior dimensional stability
Disadvantages
- Very low elongation (4%): fails suddenly
- Rougher and more abrasive surface
- Accelerated wear on SLS equipment
Typical use cases
- High-stiffness structural parts
- Under-hood engine components
- Industrial brackets and fixtures
- Lightweight metal part substitution
How to choose?
Versatile functional parts at the best price → PA12
Flexible parts resistant to repeated impacts → PA11
Very rigid heat-resistant parts → PA12-GF