Comparison
MJF PA12 Powder vs ABS
A side-by-side comparison of Polyamide 12 Powder for Multi Jet Fusion and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene.
Physical
Density
1.01-1.02 g/cm³
1.04 – 1.07 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.2-0.5 %
0.20 – 0.45 %
Transparency
Opaque
Opaque
Shrinkage
Moderate (0.6-1.2%)
0.4 – 0.9 %
Specific Gravity
—
1.05
Surface Finish
—
Matte to glossy
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
1.6-2.1 GPa
1.8 – 2.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
52-62 MPa
40 – 50 MPa
Elongation at Break
22-35 %
10 – 50 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
6-10 kJ/m²
200 – 400 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
60 – 80 MPa
Hardness (Rockwell R)
—
100 – 115
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
45-55 °C
105 °C
Melting Point
175-185 °C
Amorphous (no true Tm)
Continuous Service Temperature
70-80 °C
70 – 90 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
45-55 °C @ 0.45 MPa
85 – 100 °C
Thermal Conductivity
—
0.17 W/m·K
CTE
—
80 – 100 × 10⁻⁶ /K
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
3.5-4.0
2.7 – 3.2
Volume Resistivity
10¹¹-10¹³ Ω·cm
10¹⁶ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
16-22 MV/m
15 – 20 kV/mm
Surface Resistivity
—
10¹⁵ Ω
Chemical resistance
Acids
Good resistance
—
Bases
Good resistance
Good
Solvents
Resistant to oils, greases, fuels. Attacked by strong acids.
—
UV Resistance
Moderate
Poor (unless stabilized)
Acids (dilute)
—
Good
Alcohols
—
Good
Oils & Greases
—
Fair
Gasoline
—
Poor
Acetone
—
Attacks / dissolves
Weathering
—
Poor without stabilizers
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable (up to 50% reusability in MJF)
Recyclable (mechanical)
Recycling Code
7 (Other)
7 (Other)
Carbon Footprint
High
~3.1 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
0 %