Polyamide - Nylon 4, 6 Sheet - Material Information

Polyamide 4,6 (PA46) is a high-performance semi-crystalline thermoplastic known for its superior heat resistance, mechanical strength, and dimensional stability compared to conventional nylons such as PA6 and PA66. Its symmetrical molecular structure and high amide group density give it remarkable crystallinity and thermal endurance, making it particularly suitable for demanding engineering, electrical, and automotive applications exposed to sustained high temperatures.

Material Overview

PA46 is synthesized from tetramethylene diamine and adipic acid, resulting in a polymer with four methylene groups per repeat unit. The material exhibits a melting temperature of approximately 290 °C and crystallinity up to 70%, which significantly enhances its wear resistance and creep stability. Roerdink and Warnier (1985) demonstrated that solid-state polymerization of PA46 yields high molar mass polymers with improved mechanical properties suitable for industrial yarns and engineering plastics. Altay et al. (2021) showed that hybrid carbon-filled PA46 composites exhibit synergistic effects of graphene and graphite fillers, improving thermal conductivity to 1.5 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹ and tensile strength by over 30%. Moreover, Yang et al. (2017) found that the addition of 40 wt.% carbon fiber increased PA46’s thermal diffusivity by 6.5 times while preserving its mechanical strength. The polymer’s intrinsic flame retardancy and resistance to dripping under fire conditions, investigated by Diniz and Schartel (2023), underscore its safety and reliability in high-temperature systems.

Applications and Advantages

Polyamide 4,6 is widely used in the automotive industry for under-the-hood components, gears, bearings, and electrical connectors that require durability and dimensional precision at temperatures exceeding 150 °C. Its excellent chemical resistance and low moisture absorption make it ideal for fuel system parts and high-voltage insulators. In electronics, PA46 serves as a base for heat-resistant connectors and housings, while in mechanical engineering it provides enhanced wear resistance and low friction for moving assemblies. Roerdink and Havenith (1997) noted that PA46’s higher crystallinity compared to PA66 ensures better retention of stiffness and toughness after long-term thermal aging, marking it as a superior material for high-performance environments.

Goodfellow Availability

Goodfellow supplies Polyamide 4,6 (PA46) sheets in research-grade and engineering-quality forms. Each product is processed to ensure uniform crystallinity and dimensional accuracy for advanced mechanical, electrical, and thermal applications. Custom sizes and formulations are available upon request, tailored for prototyping, high-performance components, and academic research.

Explore Polyamide - Nylon 4,6 (PA46) and other advanced materials in Goodfellow’s online catalogue: Goodfellow product finder.

References

• Roerdink, E., & Warnier, J. M. M. (1985). Preparation and properties of high molar mass nylon-4,6: A new development in nylon polymers. Polymer, 26(9), 1353–1359. https://doi.org/10.1016/0032-3861(85)90098-9
• Altay, L., Kizilkan, E., Seki, Y., ??bilir, A., & Sarikanat, M. (2021). Hybrid carbon-filled thermoplastic composites: Synergistic effect of synthetic graphite and graphene nanoplatelets on thermal and mechanical properties of polyamide 4.6. Plastics, Rubber and Composites, 50(6), 276–287. https://doi.org/10.1080/14658011.2021.1955200
• Yang, Y., Li, D., Si, G., Liu, Q., & Chen, Y. (2017). Improved thermal and mechanical properties of carbon fiber filled polyamide 46 composites. Journal of Polymer Engineering, 37(5), 511–519. https://doi.org/10.1515/POLYENG-2016-0092
• Diniz, A. T. S., & Schartel, B. (2023). High heat resistance can be deceiving: Dripping behavior of polyamide 4.6 in fire. Macromolecular Materials and Engineering, 308(10), 2300091. https://doi.org/10.1002/mame.202300091
• Roerdink, E., & Havenith, H. (1997). Polyamid 46: Ein Werkstoff für High-Performance-Anwendungen. Kunststoffe.