Polyamide - Nylon 6,12 Granule - Material Information

Polyamide 6,12 (PA612) is a semi-crystalline engineering thermoplastic that combines the strength and toughness typical of nylons with superior dimensional stability and low moisture absorption. It was developed to bridge the performance gap between traditional aliphatic nylons and high-temperature polyamides, providing excellent wear resistance, chemical stability, and mechanical integrity even in humid or chemically aggressive environments.

Material Overview

PA612 is synthesized by polycondensation of hexamethylenediamine and dodecanedioic acid, resulting in a polymer with longer methylene segments that reduce polarity and water affinity. This structure imparts a unique balance of flexibility and stiffness, with a melting point around 215–220 °C and tensile strength typically near 80 MPa. Peterson, Zhao, and Abou-Hussein (2009) describe PA612 as a low water-absorbing nylon with excellent toughness, lubricity, and heat resistance, well-suited for gears, bearings, and cable sheathing. Yeh et al. (2022) demonstrated that the inclusion of 1 wt% amino-silane coupling agent in glass-fiber-reinforced PA612 composites increased tensile strength to 136 MPa and enhanced wear resistance by improving fiber–matrix adhesion. The polymer also exhibits low rheological variability during processing, maintaining its mechanical consistency. Meanwhile, Zhang et al. (2015) reported that adding semi-aromatic components can further reduce water absorption and improve long-term heat aging resistance, making PA612 viable for sustained exposure at elevated temperatures.

Applications and Advantages

PA612 granules are used in applications that require stability under humidity, mechanical load, and heat—such as automotive fuel lines, industrial bearings, brush bristles, gears, and precision tubing. The low moisture absorption ensures dimensional accuracy in tight-tolerance components, while its good fatigue and wear resistance allow long-term use in moving assemblies. Yeh et al. (2022) confirmed its suitability for tribological applications, including bearings in aerospace and space environments, due to its excellent friction and abrasion characteristics. Furthermore, PA612’s good compatibility with additives and fillers makes it a versatile base polymer for composites and hybrid materials, combining light weight with mechanical reliability.

Goodfellow Availability

Goodfellow provides Polyamide 6,12 (PA612) granules in high-purity, research-grade form suitable for molding, extrusion, and composite fabrication. These materials are characterized by uniform granule size and consistency, ideal for both experimental studies and small-batch production. Custom formulations, including reinforced and modified versions, can be supplied upon request to meet specific engineering or environmental requirements.

Explore Polyamide 6,12 (PA612) and other advanced materials in Goodfellow’s online catalogue: Goodfellow product finder.

References

• Yeh, Y.-H., Chen, C.-W., Ranganathan, P., & Rwei, S.-P. (2022). Improvement of mechanical and wear resistance property by varying glass fiber contents and amino-silicate coupling agents on polyamide 612 composites. Journal of Composite Materials, 56(18), 3214–3230. https://doi.org/10.1177/00219983221109331
• Peterson, G. P., Zhao, W., & Abou-Hussein, R. (2009). Nylon 6,12. In Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780195181012.003.0045
• Zhang, Q., Chen, G., Zhou, J., Zhou, X., & Meng, C. (2015). Low-moisture-absorption, long-term heat-resistant, aging-resistant polyamide composition and preparation method thereof. Patent CN104585466A.
• Deng, D., & Gan, M. (2018). Low moisture absorption and high strength reinforced nylon and preparation method thereof. Patent CN107794924A.
• Speroni, F. (1994). New polyamide-based blends. Macromolecular Symposia, 78(1), 125–134. https://doi.org/10.1002/MASY.19940780125