PA12 (Nylon 12) vs PTFE (Teflon): 0% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
PA12 (Nylon 12) vs PTFE (Teflon)
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.
PTFE (Teflon)
Polytetrafluoroethylene — the most chemically resistant polymer. Lowest friction coefficient of any solid material (~0.05-0.10). Service range -240°C to +260°C continuous. Cannot be melt-processed — must be sintered from powder (like ceramics). Very low mechanical strength. Trade name Teflon (Chemours/DuPont). Used for seals, gaskets, bearings, non-stick coatings, chemical reactor linings, electrical insulation, and lab equipment.
| PA12 (Nylon 12) | PTFE (Teflon) | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Polymers | Polymers |
| Standard | ISO 10350 | ISO 12086 |
Chemical composition (wt%) — Pro
| Element | PA12 (Nylon 12) | PTFE (Teflon) | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polylaurolactam (from laurolactam/12-aminolauric acid) | 99–99.9% | — | — |
| Base Polymer (Polytetrafluoroethylene) | — | 99.5–99.9% | — |
Mechanical properties — Pro
| Property | PA12 (Nylon 12) | PTFE (Teflon) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 45–60 | 20–35 | MPa |
| Yield Strength | 40–50 | — | MPa |
| Elongation | 100–300 | 200–400 | % |
| Elastic Modulus | |||
| Density | |||
| Melting Point | |||
| Water Absorption (24h) | |||
| Continuous Use Temp | |||
| friction_coefficient | |||
| Tensile Strength | |||
| Tensile Modulus | |||
| Elongation at Break | |||
| Density | |||
| Melting Point | |||
| Continuous Use Temp | |||
| Coefficient of Friction | |||
| Dielectric Constant (1MHz) | |||
| Water Absorption (24h) |
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PA12 (Nylon 12) and PTFE (Teflon) 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 PTFE (Teflon)?
PA12 (Nylon 12) and PTFE (Teflon) have a 0% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace PA12 (Nylon 12) with PTFE (Teflon)?
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 PTFE (Teflon)?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. PA12 (Nylon 12) is a Polymers grade, while PTFE (Teflon) is a Polymers grade.
Related Comparisons
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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.