Comparison
SLS PA12 Powder vs PLA
A side-by-side comparison of Polyamide 12 Powder for Selective Laser Sintering and Polylactic Acid.
Physical
Density
1.01-1.02 g/cm³
1.24 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.2-0.5 %
0.5 %
Transparency
Opaque
Semi-transparent
Shrinkage
Moderate (0.5-1.0%)
0.3 – 0.5 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
1.5-2.0 GPa
3.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
50-60 MPa
50 – 65 MPa
Elongation at Break
20-30 %
6 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
5-9 kJ/m²
16 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
80 MPa
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
45-55 °C
60 °C
Melting Point
175-185 °C
150 – 160 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
70-80 °C
45 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
40-50 °C @ 0.45 MPa
55 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
3.5-4.0
3.0
Volume Resistivity
10¹⁰-10¹² Ω·cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
15-20 MV/m
—
Chemical resistance
Acids
Good resistance
Fair
Bases
Good resistance
Poor
Solvents
Resistant to oils, greases, fuels. Attacked by strong acids.
—
UV Resistance
Moderate
Poor
Alcohols
—
Fair
Hydrolysis
—
Poor
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable (within SLS process, often 50% recycled)
Industrially compostable
Recycling Code
7 (Other)
7
Carbon Footprint
High
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
100 %