PA12 (SLS)

PA12 printed by selective laser sintering is a semi-crystalline nylon built from fine powder fused layer by layer in a heated powder bed. The laser sinters the particles rather than fully melting them, so parts keep some residual porosity and a matte, slightly grainy surface, and strength and ductility are usually lowest along the build direction. Surrounding unfused powder supports the part, so no support structures are needed and many parts can be nested in the same build. Parts come out needing depowdering and are often bead blasted, tumbled or dyed to improve finish. Typical uses are functional prototypes, housings, ducts, clips, hinges and low-volume end-use parts.