Examid PA6 HI300 Cold-Resistant High-Flow Polyamide

Description

Examid® PA6 HI300 is an injection molding grade of polyamide 6 with enhanced impact modification and high melt flow, specifically developed for service at extremely low temperatures down to −60 °C. Designation: HI — High Impact, 300 — the lower service limit expressed in Kelvin (213 K ≈ −60 °C, rounded to the 300 K thermal window around the operating range).

It is produced by polycondensation of ε-caprolactam with the addition of an elastomeric modifier at increased concentration (typically 15–25 % EPDM-g-MA, vs 5–10 % in a standard HI grade). This ensures that impact strength at −60 °C is retained at a level comparable to that of standard PA6 at +23 °C — critical for applications in arctic conditions, military equipment and polar electronics.

Typical parameters: density ~1.06–1.09 g/cm³ (lower than standard PA6), MFR ~30–45 g/10 min (275 °C / 5 kg — very high flow for thin-wall molding and complex geometry), Charpy notched impact strength 15–20 kJ/m² at 23 °C and 8–12 kJ/m² at −40 °C (ISO 179-1eA), impact resistance at −60 °C retained at ~70 % of the 23 °C values, Tm 220 °C, continuous service temperature up to 80 °C (dry). UL 94 HB (standard).

Key advantages

• Impact strength retention at −60 °C — at 70 % of the 23 °C level; standard PA6 loses >90 % of its impact resistance in this range
• Very high melt flow (MFR 30–45) — filling of thin-walled and complex molds in a single cycle, spiral flow length 1.5–2 times greater than standard PA6
• High vibration damping capability thanks to the dispersed elastomeric phase — reduction of acoustic noise and resonant vibrations in moving mechanisms
• Resistance to oils, gasoline, diesel, glycols, seawater, dilute acids and alkalis
• High resistance to abrasion and repeated impact loading
• Good compatibility with standard PA6 masterbatches and compounds — coloring flexibility
• Stability under repeated processing (up to 30 % regrind)

Clarifications and limitations

• Continuous service temperature — up to 80 °C (dry) / 60 °C (conditioned) — typical for PA6; short-term peaks up to 150 °C are acceptable but not for continuous service (for high-temp see PA66, PA66 GF, PPA)
• Stiffness (modulus) is ~30–40 % lower than standard PA6 due to the increased elastomer phase content
• UL 94 HB (standard) — not for FR applications; for arctic FR applications — dedicated V-0 PA6 grades
• The high water absorption of PA6 is retained (~9 % at saturation) — for permanently humid arctic environments (marine atmosphere) consider PA610 HI
• “Does not release harmful substances into water” — requires confirmation by FDA / EU 10/2011 / NSF/ANSI 51 / ANSI 61 certificates for the finished product, depending on the application

Applications

• Arctic and polar equipment: parts for snowmobiles, snow blowers and rescue equipment, housing elements of equipment operating at −40…−60 °C
• Military equipment and special hardware: field equipment housings, latches and mounts for tactical gear, cold weather gear elements, body armor and helmet components
• Transport for cold regions: non-structural locomotive parts, vehicles for northern regions, train electrical housings, handles and switches for rolling stock
• Winter sports equipment and gear: ski and snowboard bindings (secondary level — for primary see PA12), protective guards, sled and hockey equipment elements
• Outdoor lighting and sensors: housings for street lights, sensors and CCTV cameras for cold climates
• Safety systems with impulse loading: clamps and housings for restraint systems in cold regions, impact absorbers, protective elements of working machinery
• Thin-wall molding with complex geometry: any serial parts where standard PA6 fails to fill the mold and a high-flow HI grade does

Global market counterparts: BASF Ultramid® B3ZG3 / B3K HI, Lanxess Durethan® BC 30, DOMO Domamid® 27HI Cold, Radici Radipol® A45 Arctic, Toray Amilan® CM1011G-30 LT. Examid® PA6 HI300 is the MW position for parts with critical low-temperature toughness and complex molding geometry.

The stated values are measured by internal methods close to the corresponding ISO and GOST standards. This information is provided for reference only and does not constitute an official batch data sheet. Please request the TDS and MSDS for the specific batch before industrial use.