MXD6
also PPA-like
MXD6 is a semi-aromatic polyamide made from meta-xylylenediamine and adipic acid, usually molded glass-filled (GF30 to GF60, also CF30 and mineral-glass blends).
Values for the GF30 condition
MXD6 grades and fills
MXD6 is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. GF30 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Unfilled / natural (barrier & base resin) | Choose for gas-barrier layers, blends with PET/PA6 and thin-wall parts where stiffness of neat resin suffices. | 95 | 100 | 3 | 90 HRM |
Glass/mineral hybrid | Use for flat, dimensionally critical parts where glass-only grades warp; trades some strength for isotropy and surface quality. | 150 | 2.2 | ||
GF + flame retardant, UL 94 V-0 | Pick for electrical/electronic housings and connectors needing UL 94 V-0 at 0.8–1.6 mm. | 165 | 2 | 88 Shore D | |
Heat-stabilized GF grade | Pick for long-term service above ~110 °C (under-hood, lighting, appliance) where oxidative embrittlement of standard grades is the limit. | 195 | 2.4 | 90 Shore D | |
GF30Default 30% glass-fiber reinforced injection grade | Standard structural injection grade: best balance of stiffness, strength, toughness and moldability. | 200 | 2.5 | ||
30% carbon-fiber reinforced / ESD | Choose for lightweight high-stiffness parts or when static-dissipative surface resistivity is required. | 240 | 1.6 | ||
50% glass-fiber reinforced | Choose when metal-replacement stiffness and creep resistance dominate over toughness and surface finish. | 250 | 2 | ||
60% glass-fiber reinforced | Highest modulus/lowest CTE variant for thin-wall metal replacement; brittle, abrasive on tooling, poor surface. | 270 | 1.8 |
What is MXD6?
MXD6 is a semi-aromatic polyamide made from meta-xylylenediamine and adipic acid, usually molded glass-filled (GF30 to GF60, also CF30 and mineral-glass blends). It combines high rigidity with a strong gas barrier, so it is used both for structural metal-replacement parts and as a barrier layer in packaging; the GF30 default gives 1.48 g/cm³, 200 MPa tensile, 10 GPa modulus, 2.5% elongation and 120 °C maximum service. Limits are a narrow melt window with gelation and discoloration above 290 °C, highly abrasive glass loading and a service temperature below PPA; PPA or PA66-GF is the nearest alternative. MXD6 has a density of 1.48 g/cm³ (0.0535 lb/in³), heavier than 87% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 88°C (190 °F). MXD6 has a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi), stronger than 99% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 10 GPa (1.45 Msi).
What is MXD6 used for?
- Engine covers
- Mirror brackets
- Structural brackets and housings replacing metal
- Barrier layers in packaging film and bottles
- Gears and drive components
- Power tool housings and frames
- Fuel system barrier components
Advantages
- Stiff — 10 GPa (1.45 Msi), better than 95% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.3%, better than 90% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.3 W/m·K (0.173 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 2.5%, worse than 89% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.48 g/cm³ (0.0535 lb/in³), worse than 87% of polymer grades
- Difficult to machine — 40/100, worse than 82% of polymer grades
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 79% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 7.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 79% of polymer grades
MXD6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for MXD6-GF30; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
MXD6 has a density of 1.48 g/cm³ (0.0535 lb/in³), heavier than 87% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 88°C (190 °F).
Mechanical9
MXD6 has a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi), stronger than 99% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 10 GPa (1.45 Msi).
Thermal10
MXD6 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 0.3 W/m·K (0.173 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 25 µm/m·K (13.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical6
MXD6 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 52% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of MXD6 takes about 130 MJ of energy and emits 7.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 77% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability6
MXD6's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 82% of polymer grades); weldability good (55/100); formability poor (15/100).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. MXD6 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with MXD6
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.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to MXD6. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
Injection molding
| Mold shrinkage | — |
|---|---|
| Wall thickness | — – — |
| Recommended draft | — |
| Pre-drying | — |
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 |
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.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on polymer parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Injection Molding Coating
Metallization / Functional
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to MXD6 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- PPA-like
How much does MXD6 cost?
MXD6 is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 80% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
MXD6 — frequently asked
What is MXD6 used for?
MXD6 is typically used for engine covers, mirror brackets, structural brackets and housings replacing metal, barrier layers in packaging film and bottles, gears and drive components and power tool housings and frames. In short: barrier glass-filled nylon.
What is the tensile strength of MXD6?
MXD6 has a typical tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — stronger than 99% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is MXD6 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 82% of polymer grades). Machinable with carbide/PCD tooling but glass fiber is highly abrasive — use sharp tools, high speed, low feed and air cooling to avoid melting and delamination.
Can MXD6 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Joins well by ultrasonic, hot-plate, laser and vibration welding (glass content reduces weld strength ~30–50%); adhesive bonding needs plasma or primer pretreatment.
What surface finishes work on MXD6?
Accepts painting and vacuum metallizing after degreasing; glass-rich surfaces show fiber read-through, so use textured tooling, and laser marking gives good contrast.
Can MXD6 be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mold only: dry pellets to <0.1% moisture, melt 255–285 °C with short residence time, mold 120–145 °C for full crystallization; avoid melt >290 °C to prevent gelation/discoloration.
What is the maximum service temperature of MXD6?
MXD6 is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F), and briefly to 200°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does MXD6 cost?
MXD6 is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 80% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in MXD6?
Yes — MXD6 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; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.