PA9T
PA9T is a semi-aromatic, high-heat polyamide (Genestar, Kuraray) available unfilled and as 33% and 45% glass-filled, carbon-filled, mineral/glass hybrid, impact-modified, heat-stabilized, ESD and flame-retardant V-0 compounds.
Reference datasheet — PA9T 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 NEAT condition
PA9T grades and fills
PA9T is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard. NEAT is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 9 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Impact-modified / toughened | Select where snap-fits, press-fit terminals or drop impact demand ductility at the cost of stiffness and HDT. | 58 | 65 | 120 | 72 Shore D |
NEATDefault Unfilled / Natural | Choose when toughness, low moisture uptake and dielectric stability matter more than stiffness or reflow-level HDT. | 80 | 85 | 60 | 80 Shore D |
Mineral / mineral+glass filled | Use for flat, dimensionally critical parts (LED reflectors, SMT sockets) where isotropic shrinkage and surface quality beat peak strength. | 130 | 2.2 | 96 HRM | |
ESD / conductive | Use for wafer/IC handling trays and fixtures needing 10^4–10^9 Ω surface resistivity with reflow-level heat resistance. | 150 | 2 | 98 HRM | |
FR V-0 | Required for UL 94 V-0 at thin wall in relays, breakers and connector housings; slightly lower strength and flow than plain GF. | 160 | 2 | 98 HRM | |
Heat-stabilized (long-term heat aging) glass reinforced | For under-hood and LED/power-module parts held above 130 °C for thousands of hours; mechanical values equal GF33 when new. | 190 | 2.4 | 100 HRM | |
GF30–33 | The mainstream electronics grade: reflow-capable HDT near 285 °C with good flow for thin-wall connectors. | 195 | 2.5 | 100 HRM | |
GF45–50 | Pick for maximum rigidity and lowest warpage in large or thin structural housings where flow is still acceptable. | 220 | 2 | ||
Carbon-fiber reinforced | Highest specific stiffness plus static-dissipative behavior for lightweight housings and handling tooling. | 230 | 1.6 |
What is PA9T?
PA9T is a semi-aromatic, high-heat polyamide (Genestar, Kuraray) available unfilled and as 33% and 45% glass-filled, carbon-filled, mineral/glass hybrid, impact-modified, heat-stabilized, ESD and flame-retardant V-0 compounds. It is specified for low water absorption and solder-reflow resistance, mostly as injection-molded connectors and electronic housings; the unfilled grade has a density of 1.14 g/cm3, 85 MPa tensile strength and 60% elongation. Processing is demanding, with 300-325 C melt and 130-150 C tools, and the polymer cannot be solvent bonded. PPA is the nearest alternative. PA9T has a density of 1.14 g/cm³ (0.0412 lb/in³), lighter than 60% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 125°C (257 °F). PA9T has a yield strength of 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) — stronger than 88% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 60% and the elastic modulus is 2.4 GPa (0.348 Msi).
What is PA9T used for?
- SMT connectors
- automotive under-hood parts
- electronic housings
Advantages
- High strength — 80 MPa (11.6 ksi), better than 88% of polymer grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 8 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 83% of polymer grades
PA9T properties
Typical room-temperature values for PA9T-NEAT; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
PA9T has a density of 1.14 g/cm³ (0.0412 lb/in³), lighter than 60% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 125°C (257 °F).
Mechanical13
PA9T has a yield strength of 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) — stronger than 88% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 60% and the elastic modulus is 2.4 GPa (0.348 Msi).
Thermal11
PA9T is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 0.25 W/m·K (0.144 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 72% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 80 µm/m·K (44.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PA9T is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 25 kV/mm (635 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (82/100), better than 56% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PA9T takes about 135 MJ of energy and emits 8 kg of CO₂ — more than 79% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability7
PA9T's machinability is good (62/100, better than 60% of polymer grades); weldability good (55/100); formability fair (40/100).
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. PA9T is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with PA9T
Is PA9T easy to machine?
Machines like a stiff nylon — sharp carbide/PCD tools, high speed and light feeds; glass- and carbon-filled compounds are abrasive and wear standard HSS quickly, and thick stock must be relieved of molding stress before close-tolerance work.
Can PA9T be welded?
Joined by ultrasonic, vibration, laser transmission or hot-plate welding at melt temperatures near 300 °C; no solvent bonding, and adhesive joints need plasma or flame pretreatment because of the low-energy, low-absorption surface.
Can PA9T be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mold at 300–325 °C melt with 130–150 °C mold and hot-runner/insulated barrel control; dry to <0.05 % moisture (80–100 °C, 4–6 h) and purge promptly since long residence above 330 °C causes discoloration and gassing.
PA9T 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.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) |
|---|---|
| terephthalic acid unit (TPA)aromatic diacid segment, mol% of repeat unit | ≈ 50 |
| 1,9-nonanediamineprincipal diamine (typ. ~80 mol% of diamine fraction) | ≈ 40 |
| 2-methyl-1,8-octanediaminebranched co-diamine used to control crystallinity/melting point | ≈ 10 |
| glass fiber0 in unfilled default; 30–50 wt% in GF variants | ≈ 0 |
| heat stabilizers / lubricants / pigmenttypical additive package | ≈ 0.5 |
What surface finishes work on PA9T?
Takes laser marking, pad printing and painting well after cleaning; low water uptake gives stable plated/insert-molded assemblies, and molded-in gloss from polished tools is generally preferred over post-polishing on filled grades.
How much does PA9T cost?
PA9T is a high-cost polymer ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
PA9T — frequently asked
What is PA9T used for?
PA9T is typically used for SMT connectors, automotive under-hood parts and electronic housings. In short: solder-reflow capable nylon; low moisture uptake; PPA-class heat resistance.
What is the yield strength of PA9T?
PA9T has a typical yield strength of 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) — stronger than 88% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is PA9T easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 60% of polymer grades). Machines like a stiff nylon — sharp carbide/PCD tools, high speed and light feeds; glass- and carbon-filled compounds are abrasive and wear standard HSS quickly, and thick stock must be relieved of molding stress before close-tolerance work.
Can PA9T be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Joined by ultrasonic, vibration, laser transmission or hot-plate welding at melt temperatures near 300 °C; no solvent bonding, and adhesive joints need plasma or flame pretreatment because of the low-energy, low-absorption surface.
What surface finishes work on PA9T?
Takes laser marking, pad printing and painting well after cleaning; low water uptake gives stable plated/insert-molded assemblies, and molded-in gloss from polished tools is generally preferred over post-polishing on filled grades.
Can PA9T be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mold at 300–325 °C melt with 130–150 °C mold and hot-runner/insulated barrel control; dry to <0.05 % moisture (80–100 °C, 4–6 h) and purge promptly since long residence above 330 °C causes discoloration and gassing.
What is the maximum service temperature of PA9T?
PA9T is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F), and briefly to 270°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between PA9T NEAT and PA9T IM?
NEAT is the default condition — choose when toughness, low moisture uptake and dielectric stability matter more than stiffness or reflow-level HDT. IM: select where snap-fits, press-fit terminals or drop impact demand ductility at the cost of stiffness and HDT. Yield strength is 80 MPa in NEAT versus 58 MPa in IM.
How much does PA9T cost?
PA9T is a high-cost polymer ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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
- Genestar PA9T heat-resistant polyamide grade data — Kuraray (2023)
- CAMPUS plastics data — semi-aromatic polyamide (PPA/PA9T) grades — CAMPUS / CWFG (2023)
- Engineering Plastics Handbook — high-temperature polyamides — McGraw-Hill (2006)
- ISO 527 / ISO 178 / ISO 75 / ASTM D256 test methods for plastics — ISO / ASTM (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.