NYLON 12

Nylon 12, a member of the nylon family of polymers, was discovered by the German chemical company, Evonik Industries (formerly known as Degussa AG). The development of Nylon 12 can be attributed to their research in the mid-20th century. It is synthesized from laurolactam, a monomer derived from ω-aminolauric acid.

Nylon 12 is valued for its unique properties, including flexibility, low moisture absorption, chemical resistance, and stability across a wide range of temperatures. These characteristics make it useful in various applications, such as in automotive, electrical, and industrial components, as well as in consumer goods.

Our work in PA12 includes covers for petrol pumps. The component houses an advert requiring the part to be crystal clear, even when exposed to high levels of UV and fuels.

Why choose Nylon 12 for your injection moulding project?

  • 1. Low Moisture Absorption: Nylon 12 absorbs significantly less moisture compared to other nylons like Nylon 6 and Nylon 66. This characteristic ensures better dimensional stability and mechanical properties in humid or wet environments.
  • 2. Flexibility and Toughness: Nylon 12 is more flexible and tough than other nylons, making it ideal for applications that require parts to withstand repeated flexing or bending without cracking.
  • 3. Chemical Resistance: It offers excellent resistance to a wide range of chemicals, including fuels, oils, hydraulic fluids, and solvents, making it suitable for automotive and industrial applications.
  • 4. Low Density: Nylon 12 has a lower density than many other engineering plastics, resulting in lighter parts which can be crucial in applications where weight reduction is important.
  • 5. Good Impact Resistance: It provides excellent impact resistance, even at low temperatures, making it suitable for applications subjected to sudden forces or impacts.
  • 6. Dimensional Stability: Due to its low moisture absorption and good thermal properties, Nylon 12 maintains its dimensions and mechanical properties over a wide range of environmental conditions.
  • 7. Smooth Surface Finish: Nylon 12 allows for the production of parts with a smooth surface finish, which can reduce the need for additional post-processing and improve the aesthetic quality of the finished products.
  • 8. Low Friction and Wear: It has a low coefficient of friction and good wear resistance, making it suitable for moving parts and applications where low friction is desired.
  • 9. Ease of Processing: Nylon 12 is easier to process and mold, allowing for high precision in producing complex shapes and thin-walled parts
  • 10. Resistance to Stress Cracking: It exhibits good resistance to stress cracking, which is beneficial for parts that are exposed to harsh conditions or mechanical stress over time.
  • 11. Thermal Stability: Nylon 12 performs well over a wide temperature range, maintaining its properties in both high and low-temperature environments.
  • 12. Versatility: It can be modified with various additives and reinforcements to enhance specific properties, such as flame retardancy, UV stability, and increased stiffness.

These properties make Nylon 12 an excellent choice for a variety of injection molding applications, particularly in industries such as automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics, medical devices, and sports equipment, where performance in challenging environments and material reliability are critical.

If you have an injection moulding project and are considering using Nylon 12, please get in touch with our technical team on 01280 706335 for a free consultation!

X