PU-Nylon-like IM
Grade
IM = impact-modified / high-elongation tough grade
Choose for living hinges, snap arms and drop-test parts where ductility beats stiffness.
Values for the IM condition
Other PU-Nylon-like grades and fills
PU-Nylon-like is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at PU-Nylon-like.
Compare all 4 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IMThis page Impact-modified / high-elongation tough grade | Choose for living hinges, snap arms and drop-test parts where ductility beats stiffness. | — | 42 | 80 | 74 Shore D |
Flame-retardant grade | Required for electrical/electronic enclosure prototypes needing a V-0 declaration; heavier and less ductile. | — | 45 | 10 | 84 Shore D |
mineral- or glass-filled (≈20–30 % filler) | Pick when stiffness, dimensional stability and heat resistance matter more than impact — e.g. housings and brackets. | — | 55 | 4 | 86 Shore D |
Heat-resistant grade | Use for parts seeing 100–130 °C (under-hood, paint-bake or hot-water contact mock-ups); trades ductility for heat. | — | 62 | 8 | 85 Shore D |
What is PU-Nylon-like IM?
PU-Nylon-like IM is PU-Nylon-like in the IM grade — choose for living hinges, snap arms and drop-test parts where ductility beats stiffness. PU-Nylon-like IM has a yield strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) and a tensile strength of 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) — stronger than 56% of polyurethane grades. Elongation at break is 80% and the elastic modulus is 1.3 GPa (0.189 Msi). PU-Nylon-like IM has a density of 1.1 g/cm³ (0.0397 lb/in³), lighter than 71% of polyurethane grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 75°C (167 °F).
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 80%, better than 76% of polyurethane grades
PU-Nylon-like IM properties
Typical room-temperature values for PU-Nylon-like IM; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PU-Nylon-like reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polyurethane grades.
Physical4
PU-Nylon-like IM has a density of 1.1 g/cm³ (0.0397 lb/in³), lighter than 71% of polyurethane grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 75°C (167 °F).
Mechanical12
PU-Nylon-like IM has a yield strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) and a tensile strength of 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) — stronger than 56% of polyurethane grades. Elongation at break is 80% and the elastic modulus is 1.3 GPa (0.189 Msi).
Thermal10
PU-Nylon-like IM is rated for continuous service to 70°C (158 °F). It conducts heat at 0.2 W/m·K (0.116 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 60% of polyurethane grades. Thermal expansion is 110 µm/m·K (61.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical6
PU-Nylon-like IM is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 20 kV/mm (508 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), worse than 55% of polyurethane grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PU-Nylon-like IM takes about 100 MJ of energy and emits 5.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 83% of polyurethane grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability7
PU-Nylon-like IM's machinability is good (65/100, better than 62% of polyurethane grades); weldability not recommended (5/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PU-Nylon-like IM
Is PU-Nylon-like easy to machine?
Machines and drills cleanly with sharp carbide tools at high speed / low feed; use light cuts to avoid heat softening and hold parts gently as it is notch sensitive at thin sections.
Can PU-Nylon-like be welded?
Thermoset — cannot be melt-welded; join with cyanoacrylate, two-part PU/epoxy adhesive or mechanical inserts (heat-set inserts only with care).
Can PU-Nylon-like be formed, bent or molded?
Degas both components, mix by weight and pour under vacuum into a silicone (RTV) mold pre-heated ~60–70 °C; demold in 30–60 min and oven post-cure 2–4 h at 70–80 °C (higher for HT grades) to reach full Tg and stated strength.
What surface finishes work on PU-Nylon-like?
Sands and primes well; paint, soft-touch coat, pad print or vacuum-metallize readily — no plating without a conductive base coat, and expect gradual yellowing of unpainted aromatic parts.
PU-Nylon-like 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 |
|---|---|---|
| polyol (polyether/polyester blend, part contains catalysts, defoamer, pigment | 45 – 60 | 52 |
| chain extender / crosslinker (diol or di | 1 – 6 | 2 |
| filler (mineral or milled glass, filled 0 % in the default unfilled grade | 0 – 30 | 0 |
| MDI-based isocyanate prepolymer (part B)aromatic MDI in standard grades; aliphatic HDI/IPDI in non-yellowing versions | ≥ 40 (balance) | — |
PU-Nylon-like IM — frequently asked
What is PU-Nylon-like IM used for?
PU-Nylon-like IM is typically used for gear prototypes, sliding mechanism parts, snap-fit clips and bearing/bushing mockups. In short: toughest vacuum-cast PU; nylon-substitute prototype resin; good wear and low friction.
What is the yield strength of PU-Nylon-like IM?
PU-Nylon-like IM has a typical yield strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) and a tensile strength of 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) — stronger than 56% of polyurethane grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is PU-Nylon-like IM easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 62% of polyurethane grades). Machines and drills cleanly with sharp carbide tools at high speed / low feed; use light cuts to avoid heat softening and hold parts gently as it is notch sensitive at thin sections.
Can PU-Nylon-like IM be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (5/100). Thermoset — cannot be melt-welded; join with cyanoacrylate, two-part PU/epoxy adhesive or mechanical inserts (heat-set inserts only with care).
What surface finishes work on PU-Nylon-like IM?
Sands and primes well; paint, soft-touch coat, pad print or vacuum-metallize readily — no plating without a conductive base coat, and expect gradual yellowing of unpainted aromatic parts.
Can PU-Nylon-like IM be formed, bent or molded?
Degas both components, mix by weight and pour under vacuum into a silicone (RTV) mold pre-heated ~60–70 °C; demold in 30–60 min and oven post-cure 2–4 h at 70–80 °C (higher for HT grades) to reach full Tg and stated strength.
What is the maximum service temperature of PU-Nylon-like IM?
PU-Nylon-like IM is rated for continuous use to about 70°C (158 °F), and briefly to 110°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- Hei-Cast 8150 / 8400 polyurethane vacuum casting resin data — H&K (Hei-Cast) (2022)
- Axson PX series (PX 223 / PX 233) casting polyurethane technical data — Axson Technologies / Sika (2021)
- RenCast / Biresin U polyurethane casting systems — Huntsman Advanced Materials / Sika (2020)
- Vacuum casting resin property comparison tables (PA-like, ABS-like, PC-like) — Prototyping service technical guides (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.