PA46 UNFILLED-DRY
Grade · default condition
Baseline neat PA46 measured dry as molded — use for stiffness/strength design of parts kept dry or sealed.
Values for the UNFILLED-DRY condition
Other PA46 grades and fills
PA46 is listed in 13 conditions; see the grade overview at PA46.
Compare all 13 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Unfilled, conditioned (50% RH / equilibrium moisture) | Neat PA46 after moisture conditioning — the realistic in-service state for unsealed parts; stiffness drops sharply, toughness rises. | 50 | 65 | 90 | 76 Shore D |
Impact-modified | Rubber-toughened PA46 for snap fits and parts needing cold impact resistance at the cost of stiffness and heat distortion. | 60 | 65 | 60 | 75 Shore D |
Internally lubricated bearing grade (PTFE / silicone / graphite) | For unlubricated gears, bushings and sliders needing low friction and low wear at elevated temperature. | 85 | 85 | 20 | 81 Shore D |
UNFILLED-DRYDefaultThis page Unfilled, dry as molded (DAM) | Baseline neat PA46 measured dry as molded — use for stiffness/strength design of parts kept dry or sealed. | 95 | 100 | 40 | 83 Shore D |
30% glass-fiber reinforced, conditioned | Moisture-equilibrated GF30 data — use these numbers for real service loads on unsealed automotive/electrical parts. | — | 130 | 5 | 85 HRM |
15% glass-fiber reinforced | Light reinforcement when some ductility and weld-line strength must be kept but creep resistance above 100 °C is needed. | — | 150 | 6 | — |
Flame retardant, halogen-free, UL 94 V-0 | Choose for SMT-compatible electrical parts (connectors, breakers, coil bobbins) needing V-0 at 0.4–0.8 mm plus high CTI. | — | 155 | 2.5 | 88 Shore D |
50% glass-fiber reinforced, conditioned | Moisture-equilibrated GF50 properties for dimensioning highly loaded parts exposed to ambient humidity. | — | 175 | 4 | 92 HRM |
30% glass-fiber reinforced, dry as molded | The workhorse PA46 compound (e.g. Stanyl TW200F6) — pick for hot, highly loaded gears, housings and under-hood structural parts. | — | 200 | 3.5 | 95 HRM |
Heat-stabilized | Use where parts see 150–200 °C air for thousands of hours (turbo ducts, EGR, engine covers) and must retain elongation. | — | 200 | 3 | 90 Shore D |
40% glass-fiber reinforced | Intermediate step to maximum stiffness where GF50 flow or surface quality is unacceptable. | — | 225 | 3 | — |
50% glass-fiber reinforced, dry as molded | Maximum stiffness/creep resistance PA46 (e.g. Stanyl TW200F10) for metal-replacement brackets and gear housings. | — | 230 | 2.8 | 100 HRM |
Carbon-fiber reinforced | Niche compound for light, very stiff and partly dissipative parts; higher cost and anisotropic warpage than GF. | — | 230 | 2 | 90 Shore D |
What is PA46 UNFILLED-DRY?
PA46 UNFILLED-DRY is PA46 in the UNFILLED-DRY grade — baseline neat PA46 measured dry as molded — use for stiffness/strength design of parts kept dry or sealed. PA46 UNFILLED-DRY has a yield strength of 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) — stronger than 93% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 3.3 GPa (0.479 Msi). PA46 UNFILLED-DRY has a density of 1.18 g/cm³ (0.0426 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 78°C (172 °F).
Advantages
- High strength — 95 MPa (13.8 ksi), better than 93% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.3 W/m·K (0.173 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of polymer grades
- Stiff — 3.3 GPa (0.479 Msi), better than 80% of polymer grades
- High service temperature — 150°C (302 °F), better than 79% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Absorbs moisture — dry before molding — 2%, worse than 97% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 7.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 79% of polymer grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 70/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades
PA46 UNFILLED-DRY properties
Typical room-temperature values for PA46 UNFILLED-DRY; 40 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PA46 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
PA46 UNFILLED-DRY has a density of 1.18 g/cm³ (0.0426 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 78°C (172 °F).
Mechanical13
PA46 UNFILLED-DRY has a yield strength of 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) — stronger than 93% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 3.3 GPa (0.479 Msi).
Thermal11
PA46 UNFILLED-DRY is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °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 85 µm/m·K (47.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PA46 UNFILLED-DRY is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 28 kV/mm (711.2 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), worse than 78% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PA46 UNFILLED-DRY takes about 130 MJ of energy and emits 7.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 77% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability7
PA46 UNFILLED-DRY's machinability is good (65/100, better than 66% of polymer grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability fair (40/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PA46 UNFILLED-DRY
Is PA46 easy to machine?
Machines like a tough nylon with sharp positive-rake tools and good chip clearance; glass-filled grades are abrasive and want carbide or PCD, and stock should be dried/stress-relieved before tight-tolerance work.
Can PA46 be welded?
Ultrasonic, vibration, hot-plate and laser welding all work if the parts are dry as molded; residual moisture causes foaming and weak joints.
Can PA46 be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mold at 300–320 °C melt with 100–120 °C mold and fast fill — PA46 crystallizes extremely fast, so gates, runners and hot-tip temperature control are critical; dry to <0.10% moisture before processing.
What surface finishes work on PA46?
Accepts painting, hot stamping and laser marking after suitable surface prep; can be electroless-plated only with etch systems developed for polyamide, and dimensions must be checked after moisture conditioning.
PA46 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 |
|---|---|---|
| glass fiber0 in default unfilled grade; 15/30/40/50 wt% in reinforced compounds | 0 – 50 | 0 |
| heat stabilizer / antioxidant packageCu-halide or organic system depending on grade | 0.2 – 1.5 | 0.5 |
| lubricant / mold release | 0.1 – 0.6 | 0.3 |
| poly(tetramethylene adipamide) repeat ununfilled base resin; filled grades replace filler wt% of this | balance | — |
PA46 UNFILLED-DRY — frequently asked
What is PA46 UNFILLED-DRY used for?
PA46 UNFILLED-DRY is typically used for engine timing chain tensioners, high-temperature gears, electrical connectors near heat sources and bearing cages. In short: highest-melting common nylon; fast-crystallizing thin-wall moulding; fatigue-resistant gear polyamide.
What is the yield strength of PA46 UNFILLED-DRY?
PA46 UNFILLED-DRY has a typical yield strength of 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) — stronger than 93% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 13 listed tempers.
Is PA46 UNFILLED-DRY easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 66% of polymer grades). Machines like a tough nylon with sharp positive-rake tools and good chip clearance; glass-filled grades are abrasive and want carbide or PCD, and stock should be dried/stress-relieved before tight-tolerance work.
Can PA46 UNFILLED-DRY be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Ultrasonic, vibration, hot-plate and laser welding all work if the parts are dry as molded; residual moisture causes foaming and weak joints.
What surface finishes work on PA46 UNFILLED-DRY?
Accepts painting, hot stamping and laser marking after suitable surface prep; can be electroless-plated only with etch systems developed for polyamide, and dimensions must be checked after moisture conditioning.
Can PA46 UNFILLED-DRY be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mold at 300–320 °C melt with 100–120 °C mold and fast fill — PA46 crystallizes extremely fast, so gates, runners and hot-tip temperature control are critical; dry to <0.10% moisture before processing.
What is the maximum service temperature of PA46 UNFILLED-DRY?
PA46 UNFILLED-DRY is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F), and briefly to 230°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between PA46 UNFILLED-DRY and PA46 IM?
UNFILLED-DRY is the default condition — baseline neat PA46 measured dry as molded — use for stiffness/strength design of parts kept dry or sealed. IM: rubber-toughened PA46 for snap fits and parts needing cold impact resistance at the cost of stiffness and heat distortion. Yield strength is 95 MPa in UNFILLED-DRY versus 60 MPa in IM.
Sources
- Stanyl PA46 product and processing datasheets (TW200F6/F10, TE200) — DSM Engineering Materials / Envalior (2023)
- CAMPUS plastics database – PA46 injection molding grades — CAMPUS / CWFG (2023)
- ISO 527, ISO 178, ISO 75, ISO 180, ISO 62 test methods — ISO (2019)
- Engineering Plastics – Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2 (polyamide chapter) — ASM International (1988)
- UL Yellow Card / UL 94 and RTI listings for PA46 compounds — UL Solutions (2023)
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.