MXD6 · reinforced grade
MXD6-GF60
Properties of the GF60 condition, compared with the other MXD6 grades.
Highest modulus/lowest CTE variant for thin-wall metal replacement; brittle, abrasive on tooling, poor surface.
What is MXD6-GF60?
MXD6-GF60 is MXD6 in the GF60 grade — highest modulus/lowest CTE variant for thin-wall metal replacement; brittle, abrasive on tooling, poor surface. MXD6-GF60 has a tensile strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi), stronger than 100% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 1.8% and the elastic modulus is 21 GPa (3.05 Msi). MXD6-GF60 has a density of 1.75 g/cm³ (0.0632 lb/in³), heavier than 94% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 88°C (190 °F). GF30 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; GF60 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Stiff — 21 GPa (3.05 Msi), better than 100% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.15%, better than 97% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.4 W/m·K (0.231 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of polymer grades
- High service temperature — 135°C (275 °F), better than 75% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 1.8%, worse than 96% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.75 g/cm³ (0.0632 lb/in³), worse than 94% of polymer grades
- Difficult to machine — 28/100, worse than 91% of polymer grades
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 80% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 7.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 79% of polymer grades
MXD6-GF60 properties
Typical room-temperature values for MXD6-GF60 — 14 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every MXD6 grade. Each bar shows where the value sits among the polymer grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical5
MXD6-GF60 has a density of 1.75 g/cm³ (0.0632 lb/in³), heavier than 94% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 88°C (190 °F).
Mechanical9
MXD6-GF60 has a tensile strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi), stronger than 100% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 1.8% and the elastic modulus is 21 GPa (3.05 Msi).
Thermal10
MXD6-GF60 is rated for continuous service to 135°C (275 °F). It conducts heat at 0.4 W/m·K (0.231 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 14 µm/m·K (7.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical6
MXD6-GF60 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 25 kV/mm (635 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (80/100), worse than 55% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of MXD6-GF60 takes about 130 MJ of energy and emits 7.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 78% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability6
MXD6-GF60's machinability is poor (28/100, worse than 91% of polymer grades); weldability good (55/100); formability poor (15/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other MXD6 grades and fills
MXD6 is also supplied in 7 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the MXD6 overview.
- GF30DefaultStandard structural injection grade: best balance of stiffness, strength, toughness and moldability.200 MPa tensile
- GF60Highest modulus/lowest CTE variant for thin-wall metal replacement; brittle, abrasive on tooling, poor surface.270 MPa tensile
- GF50Choose when metal-replacement stiffness and creep resistance dominate over toughness and surface finish.250 MPa tensile
- CF30Choose for lightweight high-stiffness parts or when static-dissipative surface resistivity is required.240 MPa tensile
- GF-FR-V0Pick for electrical/electronic housings and connectors needing UL 94 V-0 at 0.8–1.6 mm.165 MPa tensile
- GF-MINUse for flat, dimensionally critical parts where glass-only grades warp; trades some strength for isotropy and surface quality.150 MPa tensile
- UnfilledChoose for gas-barrier layers, blends with PET/PA6 and thin-wall parts where stiffness of neat resin suffices.95 MPa yield · 90 HRM
Working with MXD6-GF60
Is MXD6 easy to machine?
Machinable with carbide/PCD tooling but glass fiber is highly abrasive — use sharp tools, high speed, low feed and air cooling to avoid melting and delamination.
Can MXD6 be welded?
Joins well by ultrasonic, hot-plate, laser and vibration welding (glass content reduces weld strength ~30–50%); adhesive bonding needs plasma or primer pretreatment.
Can MXD6 be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mold only: dry pellets to <0.1% moisture, melt 255–285 °C with short residence time, mold 120–145 °C for full crystallization; avoid melt >290 °C to prevent gelation/discoloration.
What surface finishes work on MXD6?
Accepts painting and vacuum metallizing after degreasing; glass-rich surfaces show fiber read-through, so use textured tooling, and laser marking gives good contrast.
MXD6 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| m-xylylenediamine (MXDA) unitdiamine repeat unit of the polyamide backbone (unfilled basis) | ≈ 45 | 45 |
| adipic acid unitdiacid repeat unit (unfilled basis) | ≈ 55 | 55 |
| glass fiberchopped E-glass, silane sized (default GF30 variant) | 28 – 32 | 30 |
| MXD6 polyamide matrixbalance of compound plus heat/process stabilizers and lubricants (<1%) | balance | — |
MXD6-GF60 — frequently asked
What is MXD6-GF60 used for?
MXD6-GF60 is typically used for engine covers, mirror brackets, structural brackets and housings replacing metal, barrier layers in packaging film and bottles, gears and drive components and power tool housings and frames. In short: barrier glass-filled nylon.
What is the tensile strength of MXD6-GF60?
MXD6-GF60 has a typical tensile strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) — stronger than 100% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is MXD6-GF60 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (28/100, worse than 91% of polymer grades). Machinable with carbide/PCD tooling but glass fiber is highly abrasive — use sharp tools, high speed, low feed and air cooling to avoid melting and delamination.
Can MXD6-GF60 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Joins well by ultrasonic, hot-plate, laser and vibration welding (glass content reduces weld strength ~30–50%); adhesive bonding needs plasma or primer pretreatment.
What surface finishes work on MXD6-GF60?
Accepts painting and vacuum metallizing after degreasing; glass-rich surfaces show fiber read-through, so use textured tooling, and laser marking gives good contrast.
Can MXD6-GF60 be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mold only: dry pellets to <0.1% moisture, melt 255–285 °C with short residence time, mold 120–145 °C for full crystallization; avoid melt >290 °C to prevent gelation/discoloration.
What is the maximum service temperature of MXD6-GF60?
MXD6-GF60 is rated for continuous use to about 135°C (275 °F), and briefly to 200°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in MXD6-GF60?
Yes — MXD6-GF60 is available for injection molding with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- MX Nylon (MXD6) and Reny reinforced polyamide grade data & processing guide — Mitsubishi Gas Chemical (2023)
- Semi-aromatic polyamide (PA MXD6) property sets — CAMPUS Plastics (2023)
- Engineering Plastics — polyamides, structure and properties — ASM International / Polymer Data Handbook (2009)
- ISO 527 / ISO 178 / ISO 75 test methods for plastics — ISO (2019)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.