PA12 (Nylon 12) vs PE-HD: 0% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
PA12 (Nylon 12) vs PE-HD
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
PA12 (Nylon 12)
Polyamide 12 — the long-chain polyamide with the lowest moisture absorption of all PA grades (0.1-0.15% vs PA6: 1.5%). Excellent dimensional stability in humid environments. Best chemical resistance among polyamides (oils, fuels, hydraulic fluids). Lowest density of all PA (1.01 g/cm³). Also the dominant 3D printing (SLS/MJF) material. Trade names include Rilsamid (Arkema), Grilamid L (EMS), TECAMID 12 (Ensinger), Vestamid L (Evonik). Used for fuel lines, brake lines, pneumatic tubing, cable sheathing, and 3D-printed functional parts.
PE-HD
High Density Polyethylene — the highest-volume plastic globally (>30M tons/year). Linear chains with minimal branching give higher density and strength vs LDPE. Excellent chemical resistance, FDA/food-safe, very low moisture absorption, and good impact resistance down to -30°C. Used for pipes, bottles, containers, fuel tanks, cutting boards, playground equipment, and geomembranes.
| PA12 (Nylon 12) | PE-HD | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Polymers | Polymers |
| Standard | ISO 10350 | ISO 1872 |
Mechanical properties
| Property | PA12 (Nylon 12) | PE-HD | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | 45–60 | 25–38 | MPa |
| yield_strength | 40–50 | 22–30 | MPa |
| elongation | 100–300 | 100–1000 | % |
Compatibility Assessment
PA12 (Nylon 12) and PE-HD have significantly different compositions (0% overlap). These materials are not interchangeable and serve different application areas.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PA12 (Nylon 12) the same as PE-HD?
PA12 (Nylon 12) and PE-HD have a 0% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace PA12 (Nylon 12) with PE-HD?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (0% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between PA12 (Nylon 12) and PE-HD?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. PA12 (Nylon 12) is a Polymers grade, while PE-HD is a Polymers grade.
Related Comparisons
View full data for each material:
Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
All data is for reference only. Equivalents indicate similarity, not identity. Always verify against the applicable specification for safety-critical applications. materialref.com accepts no liability for decisions based on this data.