PA6-3-T IM
Grade
IM = impact-modified (toughened) transparent
Use where notched impact and drop performance dominate and a slight loss of clarity/stiffness is acceptable.
Values for the IM condition
Other PA6-3-T grades and fills
PA6-3-T is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at PA6-3-T.
- IM
- GF30
Compare all 2 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IMThis page Impact-modified (toughened) transparent | Use where notched impact and drop performance dominate and a slight loss of clarity/stiffness is acceptable. | 60 | 62 | 120 | 78 Shore D |
30% glass-fiber reinforced | Choose only when stiffness, creep resistance and dimensional stability at temperature matter more than transparency, which is lost entirely. | — | 150 | 3 | — |
What is PA6-3-T IM?
PA6-3-T IM is PA6-3-T in the IM grade — use where notched impact and drop performance dominate and a slight loss of clarity/stiffness is acceptable. PA6-3-T IM has a yield strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) — stronger than 69% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 120% and the elastic modulus is 2.2 GPa (0.319 Msi). PA6-3-T IM has a density of 1.12 g/cm³ (0.0405 lb/in³), lighter than 64% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 150°C (302 °F).
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 88/100, better than 95% of polymer grades
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 55/100, better than 77% of polymer grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 8 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 83% of polymer grades
PA6-3-T IM properties
Typical room-temperature values for PA6-3-T IM; 26 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PA6-3-T reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical6
PA6-3-T IM has a density of 1.12 g/cm³ (0.0405 lb/in³), lighter than 64% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 150°C (302 °F).
Mechanical13
PA6-3-T IM has a yield strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) — stronger than 69% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 120% and the elastic modulus is 2.2 GPa (0.319 Msi).
Thermal11
PA6-3-T IM is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 0.22 W/m·K (0.127 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 60% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 70 µm/m·K (38.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PA6-3-T IM is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 30 kV/mm (762 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (83/100), better than 58% of polymer grades. UV resistance is good.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PA6-3-T IM takes about 130 MJ of energy and emits 8 kg of CO₂ — more than 77% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability7
PA6-3-T IM's machinability is good (62/100, better than 60% of polymer grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability good (60/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PA6-3-T IM
Is PA6-3-T easy to machine?
Machines cleanly with sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and low feed; use air or mist cooling and anneal (~120 °C) before finishing to avoid stress crazing in clear parts.
Can PA6-3-T be welded?
Joinable by ultrasonic, hot-plate, vibration and laser welding; solvent bonding is possible but risks stress cracking — prefer adhesive or welded joints on stressed clear parts.
Can PA6-3-T be formed, bent or molded?
Dry pellets to <0.05 % moisture (80 °C, 4–6 h), melt 250–290 °C, mold 60–110 °C; hot molds and low shear give best clarity, and shrinkage is low and isotropic because the polymer is amorphous.
What surface finishes work on PA6-3-T?
Takes optical polishing, hard/anti-fog coatings and pad printing well; avoid alcohol-based cleaners and solvent-heavy paints on stressed surfaces.
PA6-3-T 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 |
|---|---|---|
| trimethylhexamethylenediamine (2,2,4-/2,diamine component, mol% of repeat unit | 48 – 52 | 50 |
| terephthalic aciddiacid component, mol% of repeat unit | 48 – 52 | 50 |
| stabilizers / processing additivesheat and UV stabilizers, lubricant | 0.1 – 1.5 | 0.5 |
PA6-3-T IM — frequently asked
What is PA6-3-T IM used for?
PA6-3-T IM is typically used for eyewear frames, medical device housings, transparent connectors and sight glasses. In short: transparent amorphous nylon; clarity with nylon chemical resistance; low isotropic shrinkage.
What is the yield strength of PA6-3-T IM?
PA6-3-T IM has a typical yield strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) — stronger than 69% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is PA6-3-T IM easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 60% of polymer grades). Machines cleanly with sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and low feed; use air or mist cooling and anneal (~120 °C) before finishing to avoid stress crazing in clear parts.
Can PA6-3-T IM be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Joinable by ultrasonic, hot-plate, vibration and laser welding; solvent bonding is possible but risks stress cracking — prefer adhesive or welded joints on stressed clear parts.
What surface finishes work on PA6-3-T IM?
Takes optical polishing, hard/anti-fog coatings and pad printing well; avoid alcohol-based cleaners and solvent-heavy paints on stressed surfaces.
Can PA6-3-T IM be formed, bent or molded?
Dry pellets to <0.05 % moisture (80 °C, 4–6 h), melt 250–290 °C, mold 60–110 °C; hot molds and low shear give best clarity, and shrinkage is low and isotropic because the polymer is amorphous.
What is the maximum service temperature of PA6-3-T IM?
PA6-3-T IM is rated for continuous use to about 100°C (212 °F), and briefly to 145°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- Trogamid T5000 / Trogamid CX transparent polyamide datasheets — Evonik Industries (2023)
- CAMPUS plastics database — amorphous polyamide (PA6-3-T) entries — CWFG / CAMPUS consortium (2023)
- Engineering Plastics — Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2 — ASM International (1988)
- ISO 527 / ISO 178 / ISO 75 test methods for plastics — ISO (2019)
- UL Prospector polymer property listings — transparent polyamides — UL Solutions (2024)
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.