PA9T IM (Impact-modified / toughened)
Grade
Select where snap-fits, press-fit terminals or drop impact demand ductility at the cost of stiffness and HDT.
Values for the IM condition
Other PA9T grades and fills
PA9T is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at PA9T.
Compare all 9 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IMThis page 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 IM?
PA9T IM is PA9T in the IM grade — select where snap-fits, press-fit terminals or drop impact demand ductility at the cost of stiffness and HDT. PA9T IM has a yield strength of 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) and a tensile strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) — stronger than 66% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 120% and the elastic modulus is 1.8 GPa (0.261 Msi). PA9T IM has a density of 1.11 g/cm³ (0.0401 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 125°C (257 °F). NEAT is the default condition FabDigit quotes; IM is available on request or by drawing note.
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 8 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 83% of polymer grades
PA9T IM properties
Typical room-temperature values for PA9T IM; 24 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PA9T reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
PA9T IM has a density of 1.11 g/cm³ (0.0401 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 125°C (257 °F).
Mechanical13
PA9T IM has a yield strength of 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) and a tensile strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) — stronger than 66% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 120% and the elastic modulus is 1.8 GPa (0.261 Msi).
Thermal11
PA9T IM is rated for continuous service to 110°C (230 °F). It conducts heat at 0.23 W/m·K (0.133 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 65% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 80 µm/m·K (44.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PA9T IM 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 (80/100), worse than 52% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PA9T IM 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 IM's machinability is good (58/100, worse than 55% of polymer grades); weldability good (55/100); formability good (55/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PA9T IM
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.
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.
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 |
PA9T IM — frequently asked
What is PA9T IM used for?
PA9T IM 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 IM?
PA9T IM has a typical yield strength of 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) and a tensile strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) — stronger than 66% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is PA9T IM easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, worse than 55% 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 IM 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 IM?
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 IM 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 IM?
PA9T IM is rated for continuous use to about 110°C (230 °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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.