General-purpose injection molding polyamide 66 Examid PA66 NC

Description

Examid® PA66 NC is an injection molding grade of polyamide 66 in natural color (NC — Natural Color, without dyes or pigments). A standard general-purpose workhorse PA66 with a hexamethylenediamine + adipic acid molecular structure. Compared with PA6 (Promyde®, the Examid® PA6 series), it offers a higher melting temperature (260 vs 220 °C), higher stiffness and strength and better heat resistance, but is more demanding to mold (a more viscous melt and a narrow processing window).

The natural color (an opalescent beige-milky shade) opens up coloring with masterbatches to any target color, including translucent and pastel shades. It is a universal engineering polyamide for series-produced molded parts under medium and high loads, especially where service at 90–120 °C is required — the range in which standard PA6 already loses stiffness.

Typical parameters: density ~1.14 g/cm³, Tm 260 °C, Tg ≈ 80 °C, HDT/A ~75–100 °C (ISO 75-2, 1.8 MPa; dry), tensile strength 80–85 MPa, tensile modulus 2.8–3.2 GPa (~20–30 % higher than PA6), elongation at break 30–50 % (dry), Charpy notched impact strength 5–6 kJ/m² at 23 °C (ISO 179-1eA), continuous service temperature 90–100 °C, water absorption ~8 % at saturation.

Key advantages vs PA6

• Tm 40 °C higher (260 vs 220 °C) — permissible service temperature of 90–100 °C continuous, up to 130 °C short-term
• Stiffness and strength 20–30 % higher at 23 °C
• Better resistance to heat ageing — critical for under-hood parts, components near the engine and in the transmission
• Better resistance to oils and greases at elevated temperatures
• Base grade for subsequent GF reinforcement (GF25/GF30/GF50) or special modifications (HI, FR, heat-stabilized)

Key advantages

• Universal injection molding grade for series-produced parts under medium and high loads
• Natural color (NC) — a base for coloring with masterbatches to brand colors, including translucent shades
• Good resistance to oils, gasoline, diesel fuel, dilute alkalis and aromatic hydrocarbons
• High abrasion resistance — suitable for medium-load gears and bushings without oil lubrication
• Good electrical insulation properties (dry)
• Semi-finished material can be reprocessed (sprues, rejected parts — regrind up to 30 %)

Limitations

• Base flammability class UL 94 HB / V-2 — not for FR applications; for V-0, consider FR-reinforced PA66 grades
• High water absorption (~8 % at saturation) — parts change dimensions and lose up to 30 % of stiffness in permanently humid environments; for moisture-resistant applications, see PA610
• Narrow molding window (Tm 260 vs Tdecomp 285 °C) — requires precise control of the screw temperature profile
• Price is usually 10–20 % higher than PA6

Applications

• Non-structural under-hood automotive components: radiator grilles and fairings, headlight and fog light covers, wiring harness holders in the engine bay, air intake components (intake manifolds for unreinforced versions — for high-performance versions, see GF30)
• Electrical and electronics: medium-duty connector housings, switches, terminal insulators, terminal box components
• Industrial hardware: medium-load bearings and bushings without lubrication, gears, guides, conveyor rollers, fasteners
• Consumer goods: zip closures (a classic PA66 application), sports equipment (exercise machine parts, tool handles), household appliance components
• Textile industry: base grade for the production of nylon fibers (apparel, carpet, airbag fabric, automotive seatbelts) — after spinneret extrusion and orientation drawing
• Household appliances: handles and switches of washing machines and dishwashers, microwave oven interior components, hair dryer and blender housings
• Construction hardware: dowels, anchors, components of facade and interior fastening systems

Global market counterparts: BASF Ultramid® A3K, Lanxess Durethan® A 30 S NT, DOMO Domamid® 66 NC, Toray Amilan® CM3001-N, Solvay Technyl® A 218 V25. Examid® PA66 NC is the base MW injection molding position for series-produced parts with service temperatures of 90–100 °C.

The stated values are measured using in-house methods close to the corresponding ISO and GOST standards. This information is 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.