PA6 · grade
PA6 Impact Modified
Properties of the Impact Modified condition, compared with the other PA6 grades.
Select for snap-fits, cold-impact parts and thin living hinges where notched toughness at low temperature is the driver.
What is PA6 Impact Modified?
PA6 Impact Modified is PA6 in the Impact Modified grade — select for snap-fits, cold-impact parts and thin living hinges where notched toughness at low temperature is the driver. PA6 Impact Modified has a yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) and a tensile strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) — weaker than 62% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 150% and the elastic modulus is 1.8 GPa (0.261 Msi). PA6 Impact Modified has a density of 1.1 g/cm³ (0.0397 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 58°C (136 °F). Unfilled is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Impact Modified is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 3.5 MPa·√m (3.19 ksi·√in), better than 80% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Absorbs moisture — dry before molding — 1.7%, worse than 94% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 7.6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 81% of polymer grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 70/100, worse than 80% of polymer grades
PA6 Impact Modified properties
Typical room-temperature values for PA6 Impact Modified — 12 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every PA6 grade. Each bar shows where the value sits among the polymer grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical6
PA6 Impact Modified has a density of 1.1 g/cm³ (0.0397 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 58°C (136 °F).
Mechanical17
PA6 Impact Modified has a yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) and a tensile strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) — weaker than 62% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 150% and the elastic modulus is 1.8 GPa (0.261 Msi).
Thermal11
PA6 Impact Modified is rated for continuous service to 80°C (176 °F). It conducts heat at 0.25 W/m·K (0.144 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 71% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 90 µm/m·K (50 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PA6 Impact Modified 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 (70/100), worse than 80% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PA6 Impact Modified takes about 125 MJ of energy and emits 7.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 75% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability8
PA6 Impact Modified's machinability is good (68/100, better than 71% of polymer grades); weldability good (62/100); formability good (60/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other PA6 grades and fills
PA6 is also supplied in 20 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the PA6 overview.
- UnfilledDefaultDefault choice for tough, wear-resistant, low-cost parts where stiffness and dimensional stability under humidity are not critical.80 MPa tensile
- CF30Highest specific stiffness PA6 compound; conductive/ESD-safe and low wear, but costly and highly anisotropic.255 MPa tensile
- GF50Maximum-stiffness PA6 compound for highly loaded, dimensionally demanding parts; abrasive to tooling and prone to fiber-rich surfaces.230 MPa tensile
- CF20Choose for lightweight stiff parts with static-dissipative behaviour and lower warpage/wear than glass at the same modulus.210 MPa tensile
- GF40High-stiffness structural grade for load-bearing parts and metal replacement where warpage and anisotropy are acceptable.205 MPa tensile
- GF30The workhorse structural PA6 grade: best strength/stiffness per cost for gears, pump bodies, power-tool housings and metal-replacement brackets.180 MPa tensile
- GF20Balanced stiffness/toughness reinforcement for housings, brackets and covers.140 MPa tensile
- GF15Light reinforcement when moderate stiffness gain is wanted with good surface finish and low warpage.115 MPa tensile
- Mineral FilledUse where isotropic shrinkage, flat surfaces and Class-A paintability matter more than peak strength (covers, trim, mirror housings).90 MPa tensile
- MoS2 DryMolybdenum-disulfide-nucleated PA6 tested dry-as-molded: highest stiffness and strength, lower toughness than the moisture-conditioned state.82 MPa yield · 82 Shore D
- Cast (PA6 G)Use for large-diameter rods, thick plate, big gears and wear pads — higher crystallinity gives more stiffness, creep resistance and better wear than extruded PA6.82 MPa tensile
- MoS2 FilledUse for dry-running bushings, wear strips and gears: MoS2 nucleates finer crystals, giving higher stiffness, better wear and lower creep than natural PA6.80 MPa tensile
- FR V-0Required for electrical enclosures, connectors and breaker parts needing V-0 at 0.75–1.6 mm; halogen-free (red P / N-P) or brominated versions available.80 MPa tensile
- ExtrudedPick when the part is machined from stock: extruded PA6 rod/plate offers uniform crystallinity and good machining behaviour.80 MPa tensile
- PTFE/Oil LubricatedPick for lowest coefficient of friction and highest allowable sliding speed in unlubricated bearings, at the cost of some strength.65 MPa tensile
- MoS2 CondMolybdenum-disulfide-filled PA6 at 50% RH moisture equilibrium: water plasticization roughly halves stiffness and strength while sharply raising ductility and notched impact.52 MPa yield · 76 Shore D
- Impact ModifiedSelect for snap-fits, cold-impact parts and thin living hinges where notched toughness at low temperature is the driver.45 MPa yield · 105 HRR
Working with PA6 Impact Modified
Is PA6 easy to machine?
Machines easily with sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and low feed; stress-relieve thick stock and expect elastic spring-back plus dimensional drift as the part picks up moisture (glass/CF grades are abrasive—use carbide or PCD).
Can PA6 be welded?
Readily joined by ultrasonic, hot-plate, spin, vibration and hot-gas welding; adhesive bonding needs plasma/primer pretreatment, and the resin must be dry (<0.15% moisture) before any heat joining.
Can PA6 be formed, bent or molded?
Dry pellets to <0.10% water, mold at 250–280 °C melt / 60–100 °C tool with fast injection; account for 0.8–1.8% shrinkage (0.2–0.6% in GF grades) and post-condition in water or humid air for final dimensions.
What surface finishes work on PA6?
Takes dyeing, printing and paint well after flame/plasma or primer treatment; can be electroplated with etch pretreatment, and MoS2/graphite grades polish to a low-friction bearing surface.
PA6 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 |
|---|---|---|
| heat/light stabilizer + lubricant packagtypical additive load in commercial grades | 0.1 – 1.5 | 0.5 |
| glass fiber0 in default; 15–50 wt% in GF variants | 0 – 50 | 0 |
| carbon fiberCF20/CF30 variants | 0 – 30 | 0 |
| MoS2bearing (Nylatron-type) variants | 0 – 2 | 0 |
| residual caprolactam monomer/oligomerextractables in as-polymerized resin | 0 – 1 | 0.5 |
| polycaprolactam (PA6 from ε-caprolactam)base resin; unfilled default grade | balance | — |
PA6 Impact Modified — frequently asked
What is PA6 Impact Modified used for?
PA6 Impact Modified is typically used for automotive gears, pulleys and caster wheels. In short: stiff; wear-resistant.
What is the yield strength of PA6 Impact Modified?
PA6 Impact Modified has a typical yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) and a tensile strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) — weaker than 62% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 21 listed tempers.
Is PA6 Impact Modified easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (68/100, better than 71% of polymer grades). Machines easily with sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and low feed; stress-relieve thick stock and expect elastic spring-back plus dimensional drift as the part picks up moisture (glass/CF grades are abrasive—use carbide or PCD).
Can PA6 Impact Modified be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (62/100). Readily joined by ultrasonic, hot-plate, spin, vibration and hot-gas welding; adhesive bonding needs plasma/primer pretreatment, and the resin must be dry (<0.15% moisture) before any heat joining.
What surface finishes work on PA6 Impact Modified?
Takes dyeing, printing and paint well after flame/plasma or primer treatment; can be electroplated with etch pretreatment, and MoS2/graphite grades polish to a low-friction bearing surface.
Can PA6 Impact Modified be formed, bent or molded?
Dry pellets to <0.10% water, mold at 250–280 °C melt / 60–100 °C tool with fast injection; account for 0.8–1.8% shrinkage (0.2–0.6% in GF grades) and post-condition in water or humid air for final dimensions.
What is the maximum service temperature of PA6 Impact Modified?
PA6 Impact Modified is rated for continuous use to about 80°C (176 °F), and briefly to 150°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in PA6 Impact Modified?
Yes — PA6 Impact Modified is available for CNC machining, sheet metal and injection molding with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ISO 1874-1/-2 Plastics — Polyamide (PA) moulding and extrusion materials — ISO (2010)
- ASTM D4066 Standard Classification System for Nylon Injection and Extrusion Materials — ASTM (2019)
- Ultramid B (PA6) product range data — BASF (2023)
- Tecamid 6 / Tecamid 6 GF30 stock shape datasheets — Ensinger (2023)
- Ertalon 6 SA, Nylatron GS/NSM datasheets — Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials (2022)
- CAMPUS plastics datasheet collection (PA6, PA6-GF15…GF50) — CWFG / CAMPUS (2024)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
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.