Low water absorption polyamide Examid PA612-L1100

Description

Examid® PA612-L1100 is an injection molding grade of polyamide 6.12 with reduced water absorption. Grade designation: 612 — polyamide 6.12 (a molecule of hexamethylenediamine and lauryl diacid with 12 carbon atoms in the acid component), L — lubricated (internal lubricant for easier processing), 1100 — melt density indicator (nominal MFR for injection molding).

PA612 occupies a unique intermediate position between PA610 and PA12: water absorption ~2.5 % (vs PA610 ~3 %, PA12 ~1.5 %), Tm ~218 °C (vs PA610 220 °C, PA12 178 °C), density ~1.06 g/cm³ (vs PA610 1.08, PA12 1.01). It is the optimal material for applications with prolonged contact with water and aqueous solutions at moderate temperatures — where PA610 already shows dimensional growth, while switching to PA12 brings a substantial cost increase.

Typical parameters: density ~1.06 g/cm³, Tm ~218 °C, HDT/A ~75–85 °C (ISO 75-2, 1.8 MPa), Tg ~50 °C, water absorption ~2.5 % at saturation, continuous service temperature up to 100 °C, tensile strength 50–60 MPa, tensile modulus 1.8–2.2 GPa, elongation at break 100–200 %, notched Charpy impact strength 6–8 kJ/m² at 23 °C. UL 94 HB / V-2.

Key advantages

• Water absorption ~2.5 % — 3.5 times lower than PA6 and noticeably lower than PA610 — dimensional stability in contact with water
• Tm 218 °C — close to PA610, higher than PA12 — allows continuous operation at temperatures up to 100 °C
• The lowest water absorption among "classic" injection PA grades (after PA12) at a moderate cost — 1.3–1.8 times the price of PA6, 1.5–2 times cheaper than PA12
• High resistance to fuels and hydrocarbons — positioned between PA610 (standard) and PA12 (premium)
• Internal lubricant — eases demolding and extends tooling life
• Hydrolysis resistance in hot water up to 80 °C — for household appliances and plumbing fittings
• Good electrical insulating properties, stable in humid environments
• Retains impact strength at −30 °C — suitable for outdoor use in temperate climates

When to choose PA612 vs PA610 vs PA12

• vs PA610: PA612 has slightly lower water absorption and better dimensional stability in humid environments — choose PA612 for precision parts in contact with water (water meters)
• vs PA12: PA612 is 1.5–2 times cheaper than PA12 with comparable moisture resistance (2.5 vs 1.5 %); choose PA12 only when water absorption below 2 % is required, otherwise PA612 is the best price/performance compromise
• vs PA66: PA612 is 2–3 times better in moisture resistance but 1.5 times more expensive and lower in stiffness — choose PA612 for applications with constant contact with water/glycols

Limitations

• UL 94 HB / V-2 (standard) — not for FR-critical applications
• Stiffness 30 % lower than PA66 — for structural load-bearing parts consider PA66 GF
• Tm 218 °C limits continuous service temperature to 100 °C — for high-temp needs consider PA66, PPA, PEEK

Applications

• Water meters and metering equipment: housings, impellers, pulse sensor elements, water-metering fittings — prolonged water contact under temperature fluctuations
• Fuel lines and fittings: fuel line connectors for trucks and special vehicles, protective sheathing of fuel lines — better resistance to biodiesel and E85 vs PA66
• Hot-water plumbing hardware: fittings, thermostatic valve housings, manifold components of heating and underfloor heating systems
• Pneumatic hoses and tubing: pneumatic lines of truck brake systems, medium-pressure hydraulic hoses, protective tubing for wiring harnesses
• Household appliances in contact with water: structural components of coffee machines, steam generators, air humidifiers, dishwashers
• Marine hardware: mounts and fittings for yacht equipment with prolonged exposure to the marine atmosphere
• Premium cosmetic packaging: molded components of cosmetic containers where standard PA6 deforms under vapors

Global equivalents: DuPont™ Zytel® 158L (PA612 lubricated), EMS-CHEMIE Grilamid® 2300, BASF Ultramid® D3K (PA610/PA612 blend), Toray Amilan® CM3001G-15. Examid® PA612-L1100 is the MW position for injection molding of serial parts requiring moderate moisture resistance with an optimized price/moisture-resistance ratio.

The values given are measured by in-house methods close to the corresponding ISO and GOST standards. The information is for reference only and is not an official technical data sheet for a batch. Please request the TDS and MSDS for the specific batch before industrial use.