PA12 vs ABS
PA12 and ABS overlap in prototyping and end-use parts but land on opposite ends of the price/performance ladder. ABS is cheap, stiff, easy to mould and paint; PA12 is tougher, chemically resistant, dimensionally stable in humidity and dominates SLS 3D printing. This guide contrasts them property by property and states when each wins.
What to look for
- Impact and fatigue resistance
- Continuous service temperature and HDT
- Chemical and fuel resistance
- Moisture uptake and dimensional stability
- Cost per kg and processing (injection, SLS)
Top materials for pa12 vs abs
- #1ABSAcrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
A tough engineering thermoplastic widely used in automotive, consumer products, electronics and 3D printing.
- #2PEEKPolyether Ether Ketone
A semi-crystalline high-performance polymer with outstanding thermal, chemical, and mechanical properties.
- #3PA12 StandardPolyamide 12 Standard
Low water absorption, good dimensional stability, excellent chemical resistance.
- #4PA610 Low AbsorptionPolyamide 610 Low Absorption
Lower moisture absorption than PA6/PA66, good chemical and dimensional stability.
- #5PBT StandardPolybutylene Terephthalate Standard
Excellent electrical properties, good chemical resistance, low warpage.
- #6PC/ABS BlendPolycarbonate / Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Blend
Combines the impact strength of PC with the processability of ABS.
- #7PC/PBT BlendPolycarbonate / Polybutylene Terephthalate Blend
Good toughness, chemical resistance, and dimensional stability.
- #8POM HomopolymerPolyoxymethylene Homopolymer
High stiffness, strength, excellent fatigue resistance and low friction.
- #9ABS/PC Blend High ImpactAcrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene / Polycarbonate Blend, High Impact
Excellent impact strength and toughness, good heat resistance.
- #10ASA UV ResistantAcrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate UV Resistant
Excellent weatherability and UV resistance, good impact strength.
- #11MABS TransparentMethacrylate-Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene Transparent
Clear, tough, and good chemical resistance.
- #12PC/ABS Impact ModifiedPolycarbonate / Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Blend, Impact Modified
Optimized balance of impact strength, toughness, and heat resistance.
- #13PC/PBT Impact ModifiedPolycarbonate / Polybutylene Terephthalate Blend, Impact Modified
Enhanced toughness, good chemical resistance, and dimensional stability.
- #14Glass-Filled PA12Polyamide 12, Glass Fiber Reinforced
Enhanced stiffness, strength, and creep resistance at elevated temperatures.
- #15Glass-Filled PA610Polyamide 610, Glass Fiber Reinforced
Improved stiffness and strength with lower moisture absorption than PA6/PA66.
- #16Impact Modified PA12Polyamide 12, Impact Modified
Excellent impact strength, especially at low temperatures.
- #17Impact Modified PA610Polyamide 610, Impact Modified
Improved impact strength while maintaining low moisture absorption.
- #18Carbon Fiber PA12Polyamide 12, Carbon Fiber Reinforced
Exceptional stiffness, strength, light weight, and electrical conductivity.
- #19EPP AutomotiveExpanded Polypropylene for Automotive Applications
Lightweight, energy-absorbing foam with excellent thermal insulation and chemical resistance.
- #20EPS PackagingExpanded Polystyrene for Packaging
Lightweight, excellent cushioning and thermal insulation for protective packaging.
Frequently asked
PA12 is tougher — 50–65 MPa tensile with 200–300 % elongation and 8–12 kJ/m² Charpy impact vs ABS at 40–50 MPa and 15–25 kJ/m². ABS is stiffer at room temperature (2.3 GPa vs 1.6 GPa) but PA12 wins on fatigue and impact.
PA12 HDT is 55–150 °C (grade-dependent, up to 170 °C glass-filled); ABS HDT is 80–100 °C. Continuous service: PA12 ~90 °C, ABS ~80 °C.
PA12 (EOS PA2200, HP 3D HR PA12) is the de-facto SLS material — clean surface, low warp, tough parts. ABS is not SLS-printable; the equivalent ABS-like resin is a photopolymer for SLA/DLP or an FDM filament.
PA12 resists fuels, oils, greases, hydraulic fluids and most solvents — the reason it dominates fuel and brake lines. ABS is attacked by ketones, esters, chlorinated solvents and aromatics.