PA612
PA612 (Vestamid D) is a long-chain polyamide that balances low moisture absorption with toughness, offered natural (dry or conditioned) and in GF15–GF50, mineral-filled, impact-modified, heat-stabilized, UV, PTFE-lubricated, FR, ESD, food-contact and high-viscosity extrusion grades.
Reference datasheet — PA612 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the NAT-DAM condition
PA612 grades and fills
PA612 is supplied in 12 conditions, soft to hard. NAT-DAM is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 12 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Impact-modified / super-tough | Elastomer-toughened compound for cold-impact fuel/air lines and clips that must survive −40 °C hits. | 42 | 45 | 300 | 70 Shore D |
Unfilled natural, conditioned (50 % RH / equilibrium) | Use for real service conditions: ~1.0–1.3 % absorbed water softens and toughens the part; stiffness drop is far smaller than for PA6/PA66. | 45 | 48 | 250 | 75 Shore D |
Internally lubricated (PTFE / MoS2 / oil), bearing grade | For unlubricated gears, bushings and slides — lowers friction and PV wear at some cost in strength. | 50 | 52 | 40 | 77 Shore D |
ESD / antistatic | Choose for fuel-line and fuel-handling parts needing static dissipation to avoid spark risk. | 53 | 55 | 25 | 80 Shore D |
High-viscosity extrusion grade | High molecular weight for melt strength in tube/filament extrusion and machinable rod & plate; higher toughness, slower cycle. | 53 | 55 | 250 | 78 Shore D |
Heat-stabilised | Copper-halide or organic heat-stabiliser package for long-term 120–140 °C air/oil exposure in fuel and brake lines. | 55 | 57 | 200 | 78 Shore D |
NAT-DAMDefault Unfilled natural, dry-as-moulded | Baseline injection/extrusion grade evaluated dry — use these numbers for short-term stiffness, tolerances and electrical design. | 58 | 60 | 120 | 79 Shore D |
Mineral-filled | Pick when low warpage and isotropic shrinkage matter more than peak strength (covers, trim, painted parts). | 62 | 65 | 12 | 82 Shore D |
15 % glass-fibre reinforced | Moderate stiffness/creep upgrade while keeping useful ductility and a smooth surface. | 105 | 6 | ||
Flame retardant, UL 94 V-0 | Compounded (usually GF-reinforced) FR grade for connectors and cable accessories requiring V-0 at 1.5 mm. | 118 | 120 | 2.5 | 86 Shore D |
30 % glass-fibre reinforced | Workhorse structural grade for gears, housings and quick-connectors needing high stiffness with low moisture drift. | 155 | 3.5 | 92 HRM | |
50 % glass-fibre reinforced | Maximum stiffness/creep resistance for metal-replacement brackets; brittle and abrasive to tooling. | 195 | 2.5 |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways PA612 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
FOOD | Food-contact / medical compliant | Certification |
UV | UV / weather-stabilised | Grade option |
What is PA612?
PA612 (Vestamid D) is a long-chain polyamide that balances low moisture absorption with toughness, offered natural (dry or conditioned) and in GF15–GF50, mineral-filled, impact-modified, heat-stabilized, UV, PTFE-lubricated, FR, ESD, food-contact and high-viscosity extrusion grades. It is chosen where PA6/PA66 water uptake would shift dimensions — drift is roughly one third of PA6 — with 60 MPa tensile, 58 MPa yield, 120% elongation, 2.1 GPa modulus and 1.07 g/cm3 in extruded and injection-moulded forms. Service tops out near 95 °C (Tg 48 °C) and resin cost is above PA6/PA66; PA610 or PA12 are the nearest alternatives. PA612 has a density of 1.07 g/cm³ (0.0387 lb/in³), lighter than 68% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 48°C (118 °F). PA612 has a yield strength of 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) and a tensile strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) — stronger than 66% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 120% and the elastic modulus is 2.1 GPa (0.305 Msi).
What is PA612 used for?
- electrical connectors
- automotive fuel system components
- flexible tubing
- monofilaments
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 72/100, better than 76% of polymer grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 7.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 79% of polymer grades
PA612 properties
Typical room-temperature values for PA612-NAT-DAM; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical6
PA612 has a density of 1.07 g/cm³ (0.0387 lb/in³), lighter than 68% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 48°C (118 °F).
Mechanical16
PA612 has a yield strength of 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) and a tensile strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) — stronger than 66% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 120% and the elastic modulus is 2.1 GPa (0.305 Msi).
Thermal11
PA612 is rated for continuous service to 95°C (203 °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 100 µm/m·K (55.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PA612 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 (72/100), worse than 70% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PA612 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
PA612's machinability is very good (72/100, better than 76% of polymer grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability good (60/100).
Common Calculations5
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. PA612 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with PA612
Is PA612 easy to machine?
Machines easily with sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and light feed; anneal stress-relieve and allow for post-machining moisture pickup, though drift is ~1/3 of PA6.
Can PA612 be welded?
Hot-plate, ultrasonic, vibration, IR and laser welding all work on dry material; dry to <0.1 % moisture before welding or moulding to avoid bubbles and MW loss.
Can PA612 be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 4 h at 80 °C, mould at 250–285 °C melt and 60–100 °C tool; shrinkage 1.0–1.8 % unfilled (anisotropic 0.3–0.7 % in GF grades) — gate thick sections to control voids.
PA612 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 |
|---|---|---|
| hexamethylenediamine (HMDA) unit1,6-hexanediamine residue | 32 – 35 | 33.5 |
| heat/UV stabiliser & lubricant packagegrade dependent | 0.1 – 2 | 0.5 |
| glass fiber0 for the unfilled default; 15/30/50 % in GF variants | 0 – 50 | 0 |
| dodecanedioic acid (DDDA) unitC12 diacid residue; PA612 repeat unit -[NH(CH2)6NHCO(CH2)10CO]- | ≥ 65 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on PA612?
Takes textured tool finishes, pad printing and laser marking well; paint/adhesive bonding needs plasma or flame pretreatment, and unstabilised natural colour yellows outdoors.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to PA612 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Also called
- Nylon 612
How much does PA612 cost?
PA612 is a premium-cost polymer ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
PA612 — frequently asked
What is PA612 used for?
PA612 is typically used for electrical connectors, automotive fuel system components, flexible tubing and monofilaments. In short: low-moisture-absorption nylon; dimensionally stable PA6 substitute; broad filled grade range.
What is the yield strength of PA612?
PA612 has a typical yield strength of 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) and a tensile strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) — stronger than 66% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 12 listed tempers.
Is PA612 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (72/100, better than 76% of polymer grades). Machines easily with sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and light feed; anneal stress-relieve and allow for post-machining moisture pickup, though drift is ~1/3 of PA6.
Can PA612 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Hot-plate, ultrasonic, vibration, IR and laser welding all work on dry material; dry to <0.1 % moisture before welding or moulding to avoid bubbles and MW loss.
What surface finishes work on PA612?
Takes textured tool finishes, pad printing and laser marking well; paint/adhesive bonding needs plasma or flame pretreatment, and unstabilised natural colour yellows outdoors.
Can PA612 be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 4 h at 80 °C, mould at 250–285 °C melt and 60–100 °C tool; shrinkage 1.0–1.8 % unfilled (anisotropic 0.3–0.7 % in GF grades) — gate thick sections to control voids.
What is the maximum service temperature of PA612?
PA612 is rated for continuous use to about 95°C (203 °F), and briefly to 160°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between PA612 NAT-DAM and PA612 FR?
NAT-DAM is the default condition — baseline injection/extrusion grade evaluated dry — use these numbers for short-term stiffness, tolerances and electrical design. FR: compounded (usually GF-reinforced) FR grade for connectors and cable accessories requiring V-0 at 1.5 mm. Yield strength is 58 MPa in NAT-DAM versus 118 MPa in FR.
How much does PA612 cost?
PA612 is a premium-cost polymer ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
Sources
- VESTAMID D (PA612) product range data — Evonik (2022)
- Zytel 151 / PA612 resin datasheets — DuPont / Celanese (2021)
- CAMPUS plastics database, PA612 entries (ISO 10350) — CWFG (2023)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- ISO 1874-1/-2 Plastics — Polyamide (PA) moulding and extrusion materials — ISO (2010)
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.