Quick summary
If you need a direct answer: PA12 is the right material for the vast majority of functional mechanical parts — gears, brackets, fixtures, functional prototypes — with excellent cost/performance balance. PEEK only makes sense when the part will be exposed to temperatures above 150°C, chemically aggressive environments, or regulated contexts like aerospace and medical.
Ask yourself: "Will this part be near extreme heat, aggressive chemicals, or does it need biocompatibility certification?" If the answer is no, PA12 solves the problem at a fraction of PEEK's cost.
Technical comparison
| Property | PA12 (Nylon) | PEEK |
|---|---|---|
| Service temperature | up to ~110°C | up to ~250°C |
| Mechanical strength | High | Very high |
| Chemical resistance | Good (fuels, oils) | Excellent (acids, solvents) |
| Biocompatibility | Limited | Yes (medical grade available) |
| Printability | Moderate | Demanding (requires heated chamber) |
| Relative cost | €€€ | €€€€€ |
| Typical applications | Mechanical parts, gears, fixtures | Aerospace, medical, high temperature |
When to choose PA12
PA12 (Nylon) is the reference material for functional parts that need to withstand real mechanical stress — not just visual prototypes. Its low-friction properties and good fatigue resistance make it the natural choice for:
- Gears and moving components
- Production fixtures and jigs
- Structural brackets and supports
- Replacement parts for industrial equipment
- Functional prototypes that need to simulate the final part's behaviour
PA12's biggest practical advantage is the balance between performance and cost — you get mechanical properties far superior to PETG or ABS without the price jump associated with high-performance materials like PEEK.
When to choose PEEK
PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone) is a high-performance thermoplastic used when application requirements clearly exceed what PA12 can offer. It makes sense when the part needs to:
- Operate continuously above 150°C
- Resist exposure to aggressive chemicals or repeated sterilisation
- Meet biocompatibility standards (implants, medical instrumentation)
- Replace metal components while keeping low weight
- Function in regulated environments (aerospace, racing automotive)
PEEK is significantly harder to print correctly — it requires much higher extrusion temperatures and tight control of the print chamber, which is reflected in the final cost. It's not a "just to be safe" choice when PA12 already meets the requirements.
What about intermediate materials?
Between PA12 and PEEK there are intermediate options that may make more sense depending on the application:
- PC (Polycarbonate) — good thermal resistance (~120°C) and impact resistance, cheaper than PEEK, ideal for connectors and parts that need to withstand drops
- ASA — superior UV resistance to ABS, suitable for outdoor parts without high temperature needs
- PPA-CF (carbon fibre reinforced) — extreme structural rigidity, ideal when weight and deformation under load are critical
When you upload your CAD file on the ZATO platform, the system automatically suggests a material upgrade when it makes technical sense for your part — with the extra cost calculated in real time.
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