PA12 Blue MD
PA12 Blue MD: the detectable material that ensures safety in food-contact applications.
PA12 Blue MD is a certified technical material for food-contact applications, ideal for industrial 3D printing in environments where safety and traceability are essential. Thanks to its solid blue color and detectability by X-ray and metal detectors, this polyamide is perfect for food-contact components such as guides, rollers, spacers, and other wear parts.
Compliant with EC1935/2004 and FDA 21 CFR regulations (after vapor smoothing treatment), PA12 Blue MD delivers high mechanical performance (49 MPa tensile strength) and a stable melting point of 187 °C. It is an insulating material, easy to inspect, and compatible with major selective laser sintering (SLS) technologies.
Using detectable materials in food production is a strategic choice to reduce contamination risks and improve quality control processes. Today, PA12 Blue MD stands out as one of the best solutions combining technical performance, regulatory compliance, and automatic detectability.
What is PA12 Blue MD?
PA12 Blue MD is a reinforced polyamide 12, fully pigmented in blue and designed to be detectable by both X-ray and metal detectors. Its formulation is optimized for use in food-processing environments, where every part must be safe, hygienic, and visually identifiable. In addition to its distinctive color, the material is compliant with European EC1935/2004 and U.S. FDA 21 CFR regulations, provided it undergoes a surface vapor smoothing treatment.
Properties
Its tensile strength reaches 49 MPa, while the elastic modulus is 1800 MPa, providing solid structural rigidity. The 10% elongation at break allows the material to absorb moderate deformation without breaking.
From a thermal standpoint, the material has a melting point of 187 °C and a heat deflection temperature (HDT) of up to 180 °C under low load (0.45 MPa).
PA12 Blue MD is electrically insulating. Its detectability is outstanding: even small metal spheres (2 mm in diameter) can be reliably detected, whereas standard PA12 materials would not yield the same result.
Applications
- Components in direct contact with food
- Wear parts in food processing machinery
- Guides, rollers, combs, spacers, and other elements in production lines
Accessories that can be easily inspected during quality control. The blue color, intentionally unnatural for food products, enhances visual detectability in case of accidental breakage or detachment.
Finishing and post-process
It is important to note that this treatment does not reach internal cavities or very narrow channels; therefore, it is recommended to design parts with channels of at least 8 mm in diameter. Excessive wall thickness can also lead to warping during printing, so careful attention during the design phase is advised.