PA-6 polyamide-6

PARAMETER UNIT VALUE REFERENCES

GENERAL
Common name - polyamide-6, nylon 6, poly(-caprolactam)
IUPAC name - poly[imino(1-oxohexane-1,6-diyl)]
CAS name - poly[imino(1-oxo-1,6-hexanediyl)]
Acronym - PA-6
CAS number - 25038-54-4
RTECS number - TQ9800000

HISTORY
Person to discover - Paul Schlack Schlack, P, US Patent 2,241,321,
IG Farben, May 6, 1941.
Date - 1941
Details - preparation of polyamides

SYNTHESIS
Monomer(s) structure -

O
NH

Monomer(s) CAS number(s) - 105-60-2

Monomer(s) molecular weight(s) dalton, g/ 113.2
mol, amu
CH2/CONH ratio 5
Method of synthesis - caprolactam is melted and polymerized in the presence of
catalyst and dulling agent
Temperature of polymerization o
C 190-275
Time of polymerization h 24+22
Catalyst - AH-salt
Heat of polymerization J g-1 137-146 Riedel, O; Wittmer, P, Makromol.
Chem., 97, 1, 1966.
Number average molecular dalton, g/ 20,800-48,100 Robert, E C; Bruessau, R; Dubois,
weight, Mn mol, amu J; Jacques, B; Meijerink, N; Nguye,
T Q; Niehaus, D E; Tobisch, W A,
Pure Appl. Chem., 76, 11, 2009-25,
2004; Farina, H; Yuan, C M; Orten-
zi, M; Di Silvestro, G, Macromol.
Symp., 218, 51-60, 2004.
Mass average molecular weight, dalton, g/ 17,000-94,000 Farina, H; Yuan, C M; Ortenzi, M;
Mw mol, amu Di Silvestro, G, Macromol. Symp.,
218, 51-60, 2004.

Polydispersity, Mw/Mn - 1.7-2.4

Polymerization degree (number - 130-250
of monomer units)
Molar volume at 298K cm3 calc.=103.7; 92.0 (crystalline); 104.4 (amorphous); exp.=104.4
mol-1
Van der Waals volume cm3 68.06; 64.2 (crystalline); 64.2 (amorphous)
mol-1
Chain-end groups micro- COOH  28.8; NH2  34.5; COOH  0; NH2  0.84 Fornes, T D; Paul, D R, Macro-
equiva- molecules, 37, 7698-7709, 2004;
Davis, R D; Jarrett, W L; Mathias, L
lent g-1
J, Polymer, 42, 2621-26, 2001.

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PARAMETER UNIT VALUE REFERENCES

STRUCTURE
Crystallinity % 26-50; 42 (dry); 34 (wet) Extrand, C W, J. Colloid Interface
Sci., 248, 136-42, 2002; Yebra-
Rodriguez, A; Alvarez-Lloret, P;
Cardell, C; Rrodriquez-Navarro, A
B, Appl. Clay Sci., 43, 91-97, 2009.
Cell type (lattice) - monoclinic Holmes, D R; Bunna, C W; Smith,
C J, J. Polym. Sci., 17, 159, 1955.
Cell dimensions nm a:b:c=0.956:0.801:1.724 Holmes, D R; Bunna, C W; Smith,
C J, J. Polym. Sci., 17, 159, 1955.
Unit cell angles degree =67.5 Holmes, D R; Bunna, C W; Smith,
C J, J. Polym. Sci., 17, 159, 1955.
Number of chains per unit cell - 8 Holmes, D R; Bunna, C W; Smith,
C J, J. Polym. Sci., 17, 159, 1955.
Crystallite size nm 23.3 Rajesh, J J; Bijwe, J, Wear, 661-
68, 2005.
Cis content % 1.64 Davis, R D; Jarrett, W L; Mathias, L
J, Polymer, 42, 2621-26, 2001.
Entanglement molecular weight dalton, g/ calc.=1988-2490
mol, amu
Crystallization temperature o
C 191.8-193.2 Faghihi, M; Shojaei, A; Bagheri,
R, Composites: Part B, 78, 50-64,
2015.
Rapid crystallization temperature o
C 173-180 Adriaensens, P; Pollaris, A;
Carlleer, R; Vanderzande, D;
Gelan, J; Litvinov, V M; Tijssen, J,
Polymer, 42, 7943-52, 2001.

COMMERCIAL POLYMERS
Some manufacturers - BASF, DSM; EMS; DuPont; Kolon Plastics; Eurotec; Zig Shen
Trade names - Ultramid B; Aculon; Grilon; Zytel; Kopa: Tecomid; Zisamide

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Density at 20oC g cm-3 1.06-1.16; 1.23-1.56 (12-50% glass fiber, dry); 0.96-1.07
(melt); 1.34 (50% glass fiber)
Bulk density at 20oC g cm-3 0.5-0.8
Color - colorless to white
Refractive index, 20 Co - calc.=1.513-1.530; exp.=1.53
Birefringence - 1.580/1.582
Transmittance % 85
Odor - odorless
Melting temperature, DSC o
C 220-260; 218.6-220 Faghihi, M; Shojaei, A; Bagheri,
R, Composites: Part B, 78, 50-64,
2015.
Heat of melting J g-1 53.8-62.1 Faghihi, M; Shojaei, A; Bagheri,
R, Composites: Part B, 78, 50-64,
2015.
Thermal decomposition tempera- o
C >300
ture
Activation energy of thermal kJ mol-1 162 Herrera, M; Matuschek, G; Kettrup,
degradation A, Chemosphere, 42, 601-7, 2001.

Thermal expansion coefficient, o

C-1 0.83-0.93E-4 (dry); 0.12-0.78E-4 (12-50% glass fiber, dry)
23-80oC
Thermal conductivity, melt W m-1 0.1968-0.23; 0.23 (melt)
K-1

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PA-6 polyamide-6
PARAMETER UNIT VALUE REFERENCES

Glass transition temperature o

C calc.=49-61; exp.=50-75 (dry); 3-20 (exposed to 50% RH); -22
to -32 (exposed to 100% RH)
Specific heat capacity J K-1 kg-1 1,400; 2,680-2,730 (melt); 1,950 (50% glass fiber)
Heat of fusion kJ kg -1 188-280
Heat deflection temperature at o
C 117-190 (dry); 217-250 (12-50% glass fiber, dry)
0.45 MPa
Heat deflection temperature at o
C 42-65 (dry); 190-250 (12-50% glass fiber, dry)
1.8 MPa
Vicat temperature VST/A/50 o
C 195-204 (dry); 210-250 (12-50% glass fiber, conditioned)
Hansen solubility parameters, D, MPa 0.5 17.0, 3.4, 10.6
P, H
Interaction radius 5.1
Hildebrand solubility parameter MPa 0.5 calc.=21.5; exp.=20.3
Surface tension mN m-1 calc.=33.9-47.6; exp.=40.0-47.0
Dielectric constant at 100 Hz/1 - -/3.8
MHz
Relative permittivity at 100 Hz - 3.2-4.1 (dry); 3.6-14 (12-50% glass fiber, dry)
Relative permittivity at 1 MHz - 3.0-3.5 (dry); 4.5-7 (conditioned); 3.4-3.8 (12-50% glass fiber,
dry)
Dissipation factor at 100 Hz E-4 50-100 (dry); 100-250 (12-50% glass fiber, dry); 1,700-3,000
(12-50% glass fiber, conditioned)
Dissipation factor at 1 MHz E-4 150-310 (dry); 1,200-3,000 (conditioned); 0.02-250 (12-50%
glass fiber, dry); 1,700-2,400 (12-50% glass fiber, conditioned)
Volume resistivity ohm-m 1E13 (dry), 2E9 (saturated at 50% RH, 20oC), 4E6 (saturated
at 100% RH, 20oC)
Surface resistivity ohm 1E15 (dry); 1E10 to 1E14 (conditioned)
Electric strength K20/P50, kV mm -1 25-460; 20 (conditioned)
d=0.60.8 mm
Comparative tracking index - 600 (conditioned); 550 (12-50% glass fiber, conditioned)
Power factor - 0.02-0.06
Coefficient of friction ASTM 0.32-0.43 (static), 0.16-0.8 (dynamic); 0.26 (chrom steel), Maldonado, J E, Antec, 3431-35,
D1894 0.44-0.47 (aluminum) 1998.

Diffusion coefficient of water cm2 s-1 0.004/0.055

vapor x106
Contact angle of water, 20oC degree 62.6-65.5; 69.2/42.4 (ascending/receding)
Surface free energy mJ m-2 45.4

MECHANICAL & RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

Tensile strength MPa 74-106; 130-240 (12-50% glass fiber, dry); 70-180 (12-50% Jia, N; Kagan, V A, Antec, 1706-12,
glass fiber, conditioned) 1998.

Tensile modulus MPa 780-3,800 (dry); 570-1,200 (conditioned); 5,800-16,800 (12-

50% ; 2,640-12,500 (12-50% glass fiber, conditioned)
Tensile stress at yield MPa 36-95 (dry); 32-55 (conditioned)
Tensile creep modulus, 1000 h, MPa 700-1,100 (conditioned); 2,100-7,800 (12-50% glass fiber,
elongation 0.5 max conditioned)
Elongation % 10-160 (dry); 327 (conditioned); 2.5-4 (12-50% glass fiber,
dry); 3.5-18 (12-50% glass fiber, conditioned)
Tensile yield strain % 3.5-7 (dry); 15-25 (conditioned)
Flexural strength MPa 100 (dry)
Flexural modulus MPa 2,600 (dry)

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PARAMETER UNIT VALUE REFERENCES

Elastic modulus MPa 3,080-3,330; 9,860-10,820 (33% glass fiber); 14,110-16,440 Jia, N; Kagan, V A, Antec, 1706-12,
(50% glass fiber) 1998.

Compressive strength MPa 55

Young’s modulus GPa 235-337 (theoretical); 270-377 (experimental) Peeters, A; van Alsenoy, C; Bartha,
F; Bogar, F; Zhang, M-L; van
Doren, V E, Int. J. Quantum Chem.
87, 303-10, 2002.
Charpy impact strength, kJ m-2 no break to 50-250 (dry); no break (conditioned); 40-95 (12-
unnotched, 23oC 50% glass fiber, dry); 100-105 (12-50% glass fiber, condi-
tioned)
Charpy impact strength, kJ m-2 51-200 to no break (dry); 55-90 (12-50% glass fiber, dry)
unnotched, -30oC
Charpy impact strength, notched, kJ m-2 3.5-82 (dry); 35-150 to no break (conditioned); 6.5-18 (12-50%
23oC glass fiber, dry); 25 (12-50% glass fiber, conditioned)
Charpy impact strength, notched, kJ m-2 3-23 (dry); 4-22 (conditioned); 8 (12-50% glass fiber, dry)
-30oC
Izod impact strength, unnotched, J m-1 1,700-2,000 Lin, H; Isayev, A I, Antec, 1518-22,
23oC 2003.

Crack growth velocity x 10-6 m 527 Rajesh, J J; Bijwe, J, Tribology lett.,

s-1 18, 3, 331-40, 2005.

Fracture energy x 104 J 5.37 Rajesh, J J; Bijwe, J, Tribology lett.,

m-2 18, 3, 331-40, 2005.

Ductility factor mm 17.9 Rajesh, J J; Bijwe, J, Tribology lett.,

18, 3, 331-40, 2005.
Stress necessary to cause spon- MPa 97.40 Rajesh, J J; Bijwe, J, Tribology lett.,
taneous fracture 18, 3, 331-40, 2005.

Tenacity (fiber) (standard atmo- cN tex-1 40-90 (45-100) Fourne, F, Synthetic Fibers.
sphere) (daN Machines and Equipment Manu-
facture, Properties. Carl Hanser
mm-2)
Verlag, 1999.
Tenacity (wet fiber, as % of dry % 80-90 Fourne, F, Synthetic Fibers.
strength) Machines and Equipment Manu-
facture, Properties. Carl Hanser
Verlag, 1999.
Fineness of fiber (titer) dtex 1.4-300 Fourne, F, Synthetic Fibers.
Machines and Equipment Manu-
facture, Properties. Carl Hanser
Verlag, 1999.
Length (elemental fiber) mm 38-300, filament Fourne, F, Synthetic Fibers.
Machines and Equipment Manu-
facture, Properties. Carl Hanser
Verlag, 1999.
Poisson’s ratio - calc.=0.440; exp.=0.33
Shrinkage % 0.87-1.4; 0.33-0.82 (12-50% glass fiber)
Viscosity number ml g -1 140-270; 130-170 (12-50% glass fiber, dry)
Melt viscosity, shear rate=1000 Pa s 220-1,070
s-1
Melt volume flow rate (ISO 1133, cm3/10 40-185; 20-50 (15-50% glass fiber)
procedure B), 275oC/5 kg min
Melt index, 190oC/2.16 kg g/10 min 7.7-36.4 Faghihi, M; Shojaei, A; Bagheri,
R, Composites: Part B, 78, 50-64,
2015.
Water absorption, equilibrium in % 7.1-10; 4-8.1 (12-50% glass fiber, dry)
water at 23oC
Moisture absorption, equilibrium % 2.0-3.3; 1.2-2.3 (12-50% glass fiber, dry)
20-90oC/saturation

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PA-6 polyamide-6
PARAMETER UNIT VALUE REFERENCES

CHEMICAL RESISTANCE
Acid dilute/concentrated - good/poor
Alcohols - good
Alkalis - dilute - good, concentrated - poor
Aliphatic hydrocarbons - resistant
Aromatic hydrocarbons - resistant
Greases & oils - resistant
Ketones - resistant
Good solvent - acetic acid, chlorophenol, m-cresol, ethylene carbonate, formic
acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, trichloroacetic acid
Non-solvent - alcohols, chloroform, DMF, esters, ethers, hydrocarbons,
ketones

FLAMMABILITY
Flammability according to UL-94 class V-2 or HB; HB (12-50% glass fiber, dry)
standard; thickness 1.6/0.8 mm
Ignition temperature o
C 400
Autoignition temperature o
C 424
Limiting oxygen index % O2 20-27; 22.5 (15-50% glass fiber)
Char at 500oC % 0 Lyon, R E; Walters, R N, J. Anal.
Appl. Pyrolysis, 71, 27-46, 2004.
Heat of combustion J g-1 31,400
Volatile products of combustion - CO, HCN, caprolactam

WEATHER STABILITY
Spectral sensitivity nm 290-310, 340-460
Activation wavelengths nm 300, 313, 334 (radical formation); 320 (yellowing)
Excitation wavelengths nm 282, 300, 310
Emission wavelengths nm 380, 420, 455, 460, 470
Important initiators and - thermal degradation
accelerators
Products of degradation - CO, HCN, caprolactam, amines, carbon monoxide, hydrogen,
hydrocarbons, crosslinks, carbon dioxide, acids, aldehydes,
ketones, water, ammonia, hydroperoxides, pyrrole, ethylene

BIODEGRADATION
Typical biodegradants - bacterial hydrolases; filametous fungus (Phanerochaete Klun, U; Ffriedrich, J; Krzan, A,
Chrysosporium) Polym. Deg. Stab., 79, 99-104,
2003.

TOXICITY
HMIS: Health, Flammability, Re- - 0-1/0-1/0
activity rating
Carcinogenic effect - not listed by ACGIH, IARC, or NTP

PROCESSING
Typical processing methods - extrusion, injection molding
Preprocess drying: temperature/ o
C/h/% 80/4-10/0.15
time/residual moisture

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PARAMETER UNIT VALUE REFERENCES

Processing temperature o
C 250-280 (injection molding); 245-250 ( film extrusion); 270-290
(profile extrusion)
Processing pressure MPa 3.5-12.5 (injection pressure)
Applications - safety helmet parts, washers, gears, engine and motor parts,
chutes; plugs, receptacles, covers, weed trimer components,
clips, fasteners, flanges, key housing, flexible tubing, film,
fans, hand-help power tools
Outstanding properties - temperature resistance, chemical resistance to greases and
oils

BLENDS
Suitable polymers - ABS, chitosan, HDPE, LDPE, NR, PA66, PBT, PC, PP, PPO,
PS, PVDF

ANALYSIS
FTIR (wavenumber-assignment) cm-1/- C=O  1715; CH2  1463 Dong, W; Gijsman, P, Polym. Deg.
Stab., 95, 1054-62, 2010.
Raman (wavenumber-assign- cm-1/- amide 1  1636; N-H  1233; C-C  1063/1076 Hendra, P J; Maddams, W F;
ment) Royaud, I A M; Willis, H A; Zichy, V,
Spectrochim. Acta, 64A, 5, 747-56,
1990.
NMR (chemical shifts) ppm see ref. Davis, R D; Jarrett, W L; Mathias, L
J, Polymer, 42, 2621-26, 2001.

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