PA 12 White (PA650)

PA 12 White (PA650) offers excellent impact resistance, low moisture absorption, and high dimensional stability, making it ideal for precision applications.

Superior impact resistance and toughness
Low water absorption for stable performance
High precision and smooth surface finish

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What is PA 12 White?

PA 12 White (PA650) is a budget-friendly nylon option that works great for both functional prototypes and end-use parts. What stands out is how it balances tough traits: it takes impacts well, holds up over time, and handles heat without breaking a sweat—so it’s reliable even in tricky environments.

It doesn’t soak up much moisture, either, which means parts made from it keep their shape precisely. That’s a big plus in automotive bits, electronics housings, or industrial components where tight fits matter. And the white finish, with a subtle textured surface, isn’t just easy on the eyes—it adds a little extra to its mechanical performance too.

Whether you’re testing a new design or making parts that need to last, this material hits the sweet spot between cost and capability.

PA 12 White (PA650) for SLS

Property	Test Standard	Value
Density	DIN 53466	0.95 g/cm³
Heat Deflection (0.45 MPa)	ASTM D648	180.85°C
Heat Deflection (1.8 MPa)	ASTM D648	115.4°C
Tensile Strength	ASTM D638	50 MPa
Tensile Modulus	ASTM D638	2000 MPa
Elongation at Break	ASTM D638	11.5%
Flexural Strength	ASTM D790	60 MPa
Flexural Modulus	ASTM D790	1900 MPa
Notched Impact Strength	ASTM D256	21 J/m
Unnotched Impact Strength	ASTM D256	294 J/m

*Download Datasheet

PA 12 White (PA650) for MJF

Property	Test Standard	Unit	Value
Density	ISO 1183	g/cm³	1.01
Tensile Strength	ISO 527	MPa	44
Elongation at Break	ISO 527	%	21
Tensile Modulus	ISO 527	MPa	1600
Bending Strength	ISO 178	MPa	70
Bending Modulus	ISO 178	MPa	1800
Impact Resistance (Charpy)	ISO 179	kJ/m²	45

*Download Datasheet

Key Advantages

Temperature Resistance: Withstands short-term exposure up to 120°C (ideal for automotive engine bay components) and maintains structural integrity from -40°C to 80°C in continuous use.
Fatigue Resistance: Excels in cyclic loading applications (e.g., snap fits, hinges) with a durability rating exceeding 10,000 stress cycles (variance ≤5% between SLS/MJF processes).
Lightweight: At 0.95 g/cm³, it’s 20% lighter than ABS, making it optimal for weight-sensitive applications such as drones and robotic components.
Chemical Resistance: Resists degradation from oils, greases, and mild chemicals (e.g., isopropyl alcohol, weak acids). Suits automotive fluid lines or medical device housings requiring frequent disinfection.

Limitations

Moisture Absorption: Prolonged exposure to high humidity (>80% RH) may cause dimensional expansion of 0.3–0.5%. Sealing coatings are recommended for outdoor or humid environments.
UV Resistance: Without UV stabilization, prolonged outdoor use (>6 months) may lead to yellowing and a 10–15% reduction in tensile strength. Consider post-processing treatments for UV protection.

Applications of PA 12 White (PA650)

PA 12 White (PA650) is widely used in SLS and MJF 3D printing due to its excellent mechanical properties, durability, and fine detail resolution, making it ideal for functional prototypes that require strong, impact-resistant parts for testing and validation.

Gears & Mechanical Parts

Small precision gears
Pulleys
Hinges
Bearing housings

Consumer Goods

Smartwatch cases
Eyewear frames
Headphone components
Cycling accessories

Custom Housings & Enclosures

Sensor casings
Battery covers
Control panel housings
Motor enclosures

Medical Devices

Orthotic braces
Prosthetic covers
Surgical guides
Diagnostic equipment housings

Frequently Asked Questions

What post-processing options work for PA 12 White (PA650) parts?webadmin2025-07-15T08:03:00+00:00

What post-processing options work for PA 12 White (PA650) parts?

We use a few go-to post-processing steps for PA 12 White, depending on what the part needs:

Sanding or bead blasting: Smooths out the surface, making it feel more even—good for parts that need a consistent look, like enclosures.
Vapor smoothing: Seals tiny pores in the material, which helps keep out moisture. Useful for parts that might get splashed, like small tool housings.
Painting or coating: Adds a layer of protection—we often use UV-resistant paint for outdoor parts to slow yellowing, or tough coatings for industrial gear that gets bumped around.
Inserting metal threads: For parts that need to hold screws tightly (like brackets), we press in metal inserts to keep threads from stripping.

If your part has specific needs—like a super-smooth finish or extra chemical resistance—just tell us. We’ll pick the right post-processing to match. Also, you can check our full post-processing options here: Additive Post-Processing Service. If you don’t find the service you need among them, please contact us.

How does PA 12 White (PA650) compare to other materials used in 3D printing?webadmin2025-07-15T07:44:35+00:00

How does PA 12 White (PA650) compare to other materials used in 3D printing?

PA 12 White (PA650) stands out from other 3D printing materials in ways that matter for real-world parts. Let’s break it down against common options:

Compared to ABS, it’s lighter and holds up better to repeated stress—so a PA 12 White hinge will outlast an ABS one in devices that open/close often, like tool cases. ABS can warp at higher temps too, but PA 12 White handles short bursts of 120°C, making it better for parts near engines or machinery.

PLA is cheaper, but it’s brittle and melts easily. PA 12 White, though, stays tough even in cold (-40°C) and won’t shatter if dropped—good for things like drone parts or outdoor sensor housings where durability counts.

PA 6 is another nylon, but it soaks up more moisture. PA 12 White’s lower moisture rate means parts like medical device casings or underwater connectors keep their shape longer, without swelling.

And while high-end materials like PEEK handle extreme heat, they’re pricey. PA 12 White hits a sweet spot—enough chemical resistance for industrial fluid lines, enough strength for small gears, without the steep cost.

It’s not a one-size-fits-all, but for balance of toughness, temperature tolerance, and cost, PA 12 White often fits where other materials fall short.

What is the recommended maintenance for PA 12 White (PA650) parts?webadmin2025-07-15T07:49:13+00:00

What is the recommended maintenance for PA 12 White (PA650) parts?

For maintaining PA 12 White (PA650) parts, focus on preserving their dimensional stability and mechanical properties with these simple steps:

Cleaning: Wipe with a soft cloth dampened in mild soap solution or isopropyl alcohol—avoid harsh solvents (like acetone) that can degrade the surface. For stubborn dirt, gentle brushing works better than abrasive scrubbing to prevent scratches.
Moisture control: If used in high-humidity environments (e.g., bathrooms, outdoor enclosures), apply a thin sealant (like acrylic spray) to reduce moisture absorption. Store unused parts in sealed bags with desiccants to prevent swelling.
Avoid extreme conditions: Keep parts away from prolonged exposure to temperatures over 80°C (to prevent softening) or direct sunlight (to slow yellowing). For outdoor use, add a UV-resistant coating during post-processing.
Routine checks: For moving parts (gears, hinges), inspect quarterly for signs of wear—small cracks or warping mean it’s time to replace, especially if they handle repeated stress.

If your parts are used in unique conditions (e.g., industrial machinery, medical settings), reach out—we can tailor maintenance tips to your specific use case.

What kind of tolerances can PA 12 White (PA650) parts get?webadmin2025-07-15T07:55:42+00:00

What kind of tolerances can PA 12 White (PA650) parts get?

PA 12 White (PA650) parts usually hit pretty tight tolerances if the design is good. Typically, you’re looking at ±0.012 inches to start, and then add ±0.002 inches for each extra inch of length. Like, a 3-inch part would be around ±0.018 inches total.

But keep in mind—if the part has tricky shapes (think super thin walls or deep, narrow spots), the tolerances might loosen up a bit. Nothing crazy, but maybe a little more than the base numbers.

Need something super precise? Send us your design—we’ll check and let you know what’s doable.

How does KingStar Mold utilize PA 12 White (PA650) in manufacturing?webadmin2025-07-15T07:37:08+00:00

How does KingStar Mold utilize PA 12 White (PA650) in manufacturing?

At KingStar Mold, we work with PA 12 White (PA650) mainly through SLS and MJF.

SLS is our go-to for quick prototypes or small batches—like early design samples or custom small parts. It handles PA650’s lightweight, tough nature well, making it easy to knock out 10-50 pieces without fussy setups.

MJF comes in when we need tighter precision or medium runs. It’s better for parts with trickier shapes, like small gears or casing components, where every millimeter counts. We’ll run 50-200 units this way, and the finish is usually smooth enough right off the machine.

Either way, we pick the process based on what the part needs—speed, precision, or batch size—and PA650 fits both nicely.

What industries can benefit from using PA 12 White (PA650)?webadmin2025-07-15T07:34:49+00:00

What industries can benefit from using PA 12 White (PA650)?

PA 12 White (PA650) works across several industries, thanks to its mix of strength, light weight, and versatility.
Automotive teams use it for wiring harness brackets, interior panel clips, and small sensor housings near engines—its heat and oil resistance holds up under the hood.
Medical devices often apply it as protective casings on handheld tools, tiny connectors in monitors, and prototype surgical parts. It doesn’t soak up much moisture, so dimensions stay steady.
For robotics and automation, it’s often used to build lightweight gripper fingers and small gears—tough enough to handle repeated use without adding extra weight.
For Electronic industry, engineers use it for custom circuit board enclosures and mounting brackets. The white finish also gives a clean look for consumer or industrial gear.
Aerospace and drone builders like its strength-to-weight ratio for frame parts and mounting brackets—keeps things light but strong.
Whatever industry you’re in, if you’ve got an idea for a part, reach out. We can help make it work with PA 12 White.

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