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Formlabs Nylon 12 Powder
PA12PowderSLS (Fuse series)Formlabs
Quick answer
Formlabs Nylon 12 Powder is the standard PA12 for the Fuse SLS series: 50 MPa ultimate tensile strength, 1850 MPa tensile modulus and 11% elongation at break (X/Y) per the Formlabs technical data sheet, with an HDT of 171 °C at 0.45 MPa.
Nylon 12 Powder is Formlabs' general-purpose SLS material, positioned for functional prototyping and end-use production of complex assemblies and durable parts with high environmental stability. It is the default choice on Fuse printers the way PA 2200 is on EOS systems.
Formlabs reports properties per ASTM D638 Type 1 specimens. Note the Z-direction penalty in elongation: 6% in Z versus 11% in X/Y — smaller than the drop EOS reports for PA 2200, but the same design lesson applies.
Properties (manufacturer datasheet)
| Property | Value | Test method / note |
|---|---|---|
| Ultimate tensile strength | 50 MPa | ASTM D638 Type 1 |
| Tensile modulus | 1850 MPa | ASTM D638 Type 1 |
| Elongation at break (X/Y) | 11% | ASTM D638 Type 1; Z: 6% |
| HDT @ 1.8 MPa | 87 °C | ASTM D648 |
| HDT @ 0.45 MPa | 171 °C | ASTM D648 |
Values are reproduced from the manufacturer source(s) listed below, exactly as published. Properties the manufacturer does not publish are omitted rather than estimated — see the sourcing policy.
Processing notes
- SLS powder for Formlabs Fuse series printers.
- Heat deflection temperature is 87 °C at 1.8 MPa and 171 °C at 0.45 MPa (ASTM D648) — the load matters, so both figures are listed.
- Formlabs' product page also positions the material for thermoforming applications such as clear aligner moulds, and for biocompatible/sterilisable parts including orthotics and prosthetics.
Typical applications
- Functional prototyping and end-use production of complex assemblies
- Permanent jigs, fixtures and tooling
- Low-volume manufacturing
- Orthotics and prosthetics and other sterilisable parts
- Thermoforming moulds (e.g. clear aligners)
Frequently asked questions
Which printers use Formlabs Nylon 12 Powder?
The Formlabs Fuse series of SLS printers (Fuse 1 and Fuse 1+ 30W). It is a closed material system tuned for those machines.
How does it compare with EOS PA 2200?
Both are unfilled PA12 SLS powders with 50 MPa-class tensile strength. Formlabs lists a somewhat higher modulus (1850 vs 1650 MPa) and lower elongation (11% vs 18%), but the numbers come from different test standards (ASTM D638 vs ISO 527), so treat them as indicative, not a controlled head-to-head.
What is its heat resistance?
Formlabs lists HDT of 171 °C at 0.45 MPa load and 87 °C at 1.8 MPa (ASTM D648). For parts under real load at temperature, the 1.8 MPa figure is the conservative design value.
Sources
Last updated: November 2026