For your Brisbane engineering clients, the “Gold Standard” is that PA12-CF is generally safe for intermittent or continuous exposure to most hydrocarbons, making it ideal for automotive and aerospace under-the-hood parts.
| Chemical Category | Representative Substances | Rating | Impact on Material |
| Fuels | Diesel, Petrol (Gasoline), Kerosene, Jet A-1 | Excellent | No significant swelling or loss of tensile strength. |
| Hydraulic Fluids | Mineral Oils, Brake Fluid (DOT 4), Skydrol | Excellent | Highly resistant; standard in hydraulic manifolds. |
| Industrial Solvents | Acetone, MEK, Toluene, Xylene | Good | Resistant to most; long-term soaking in Acetone can cause slight softening. |
| Alcohols | Ethanol, Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA), Methanol | Excellent | PA12 is superior to PA6 here; no significant degradation. |
| Strong Acids | Sulfuric Acid, Hydrochloric Acid, Nitric Acid | Poor | Avoid. Acids will rapidly hydrolyze the polymer chains. |
| Strong Bases | Sodium Hydroxide, Ammonia | Good | Generally stable at room temp; check for high-temp usage. |
Technical Context for Industrial Use
1. Resistance to “Swelling”
One of the biggest advantages of PA12-CF over standard Nylon is its low moisture absorption. While a standard Nylon 6 part might swell and change dimensions by 2–3% in a humid Brisbane summer or when exposed to fluids, PA12-CF typically stays within <0.5%. This is critical for fuel-line connectors or sensor housings.
2. The Hydrocarbon Advantage
PA12-CF is functionally inert when in contact with grease, motor oils, and transmission fluids. If you are printing a replacement bracket for a hydraulic system, the mineral-based fluids will not degrade the part over time.
3. Warning: Avoid Strong Acids
While PA12-CF is a “workhorse” for oils and solvents, it is vulnerable to oxidizing acids. If the application involves battery acid (Sulfuric) or aggressive industrial cleaners, the material will eventually become brittle and fail.
Engineer’s Note: If your client is using Skydrol (common in aerospace), PA12 is one of the few polymers that can handle it reliably without the stress-cracking seen in polycarbonate or ABS.