Comparison
SLS PA12 Powder vs Polycarbonate
A side-by-side comparison of Polyamide 12 Powder for Selective Laser Sintering and Polycarbonate.
Physical
Density
1.01-1.02 g/cm³
1.20 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.2-0.5 %
0.15 %
Transparency
Opaque
Transparent (88% light transmission)
Shrinkage
Moderate (0.5-1.0%)
0.5 – 0.8 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
1.5-2.0 GPa
2.3 – 2.4 GPa
Tensile Strength
50-60 MPa
60 – 70 MPa
Elongation at Break
20-30 %
100 – 150 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
5-9 kJ/m²
600 – 900 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
90 – 100 MPa
Hardness (Rockwell M)
—
70
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
45-55 °C
147 °C
Melting Point
175-185 °C
—
Continuous Service Temperature
70-80 °C
115 – 130 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
40-50 °C @ 0.45 MPa
130 – 140 °C
Thermal Conductivity
—
0.20 W/m·K
CTE
—
65 – 70 × 10⁻⁶ /K
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
3.5-4.0
2.9 – 3.0
Volume Resistivity
10¹⁰-10¹² Ω·cm
10¹⁶ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
15-20 MV/m
15 kV/mm
Chemical resistance
Acids
Good resistance
—
Bases
Good resistance
Poor
Solvents
Resistant to oils, greases, fuels. Attacked by strong acids.
—
UV Resistance
Moderate
Poor (unless coated)
Acids (dilute)
—
Good
Alcohols
—
Fair
Oils
—
Good
Gasoline
—
Fair
Acetone
—
Poor (attacks)
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable (within SLS process, often 50% recycled)
Recyclable
Recycling Code
7 (Other)
7
Carbon Footprint
High
~5 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
0 – 50 % (bio grades)