Polyamide 66 is a large engineering plastic. This polymer has a density of between 1.12 and 1.14, and is used mainly in the automotive, mechanical, and instrument housing industries. It is a useful material for a variety of applications because of its excellent mechanical properties, such as high strength and toughness. However, it has some disadvantages, such as its high water absorption.

Properties

PA66 is a polyamide that has good abrasion resistance, good dimensional stability, and good chemical and impact properties. It is similar to PA6 in structure, and is characterized by zig-zag chain conformation, with intermolecular hydrogen bonds between amide groups. This makes it suitable for use as a reinforcing material and in construction applications. Compared to nylon 6, it has higher tensile strength. Some of its uses include bearings, electrical connections, and structural components. PA66 can also be molded to produce fibers, which are useful in the textile and clothing industries.

PA66 has low viscosity, which allows for molding of thin components. It also has a small shrinkage of 0.1 to 0.02 mm/mm (about 2%). This shrinkage can be reduced by reinforcing it with glass fibers or mineral fillers. It is resistant to most solvents, though it is not resistant to strong acids and chlorinating agents.

Another important feature of polyamide 66 is its high melting point. This feature means that it can be used at higher temperatures, while still maintaining its stiffness. However, it is still hygroscopic, so the degree of hygroscopicity depends on the wall thickness and the composition of the material. It also depends on the environmental conditions. It can be reinforced with various modifiers to enhance its mechanical properties, including synthetic rubber. This can further enhance its impact resistance.

Applications

One of the most popular uses of material PA66 is in cable ties. It is easy to mold and color, and offers a smooth surface pattern. As a result, it has many applications in industrial and consumer products. This versatile material has many advantages over other materials and is a low-cost alternative. For example, it is easier to process than metal and is particularly suitable for products with complex designs. In addition to this, PA66 is stiff and has good creep resistance. These features make it an excellent material for parts used in automobiles.

Another advantage of material PA66 is its low viscosity, allowing it to be molded to a thin component. It can also be reinforced with glass fibers, which reduces shrinkage. It also resists many solvents, although it is not particularly resistant to strong acids or oxidizing agents.

Characteristics

The Physical Characteristics of Material PA66 were studied to determine the proper dose of carbon to be added to PA66 in order to decrease thermal deformation. The latent heat of phase change was measured using an equivalent heat capacity and the specific heat was measured using a differential scanning calorimeter. The remaining physical-performance parameters were determined by the manufacturer.

The dielectric breakdown strength and tensile strength of PA66-GF33% were comparable to the grades of PBT. Nevertheless, the material has a high moisture absorption rate. Lastly, volume resistivity, a measure of insulation properties, was also similar among the two grades. In most resin materials, the volume resistivity is around 1015 O/cm.

In addition, the material’s forming-process parameters were optimized using FDM. The optimal temperature for the nozzle and hot-bed was 240 degC and 90 degC, which minimized warp and displacement during thermal deformation. The moving and extrusion speeds were 30 mm/s and 12.5 mm/s respectively, and the speed to filling ratio was 0.87.