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Polyamides, commonly known as nylon, are celebrated as high-performance plastics due to their impressive resistance to both high temperatures and electrical forces. Their versatile utility spans across various industries, including automotive, transportation, consumer goods, and electronics and electrical (E&E). However, the plethora of polyamide classes available in today's market can make selecting the right one for your specific application a daunting task. Allow us to simplify your decision-making process by providing comprehensive insights into each polyamide class, including their distinctive features and recommended processing conditions. By the end of this guide, you will have a clear understanding of why these materials are the preferred choice for high-end engineering applications.
Nylon was invented by Wallace H. Carothers at DuPont in the 1930s. This groundbreaking synthetic polymer revolutionized various industries due to its strength, durability, and resistance to abrasion and chemicals. It found applications in textiles, engineering, and more, shaping modern materials science.
Polyamide, stands as a prominent class within the realm of high-performance engineering thermoplastics. Renowned for its well-rounded properties, polyamides are distinguished by their recurring amide linkages, illustrated as –CO-NH–. These materials are synthesized through the condensation of identical units, and they can also take the form of copolymers, incorporating diverse units to tailor their properties for specific applications.
Polyamides boast exceptional high-temperature and electrical resistance properties, thanks in large part to their crystalline structure, which also grants them impressive chemical resistance. These materials exhibit notable mechanical strength and barrier capabilities, and they can be readily made flame-retardant.
Polyamides are made by polycondensation of diacid with a diamine.
Polyamides can also be made by a process called ring-opening polymerization, using substances called lactams with 6, 11, or 12 carbon atoms.
These materials can come in different types, depending on the building blocks used. Some are made from simpler, straight-chain molecules, some from a mix of straight and ring-shaped molecules, and others from ring-shaped molecules. This leads to variations in their structure, from being not very ordered (amorphous) to having some degree of order (semi-crystalline), and this can affect their properties.
One special kind of polyamide is called an Aramid(Kevlar), which is made by linking terephthalic acid with diamines. An example is PA 6-3-T, which is known for being amorphous (not very ordered) and transparent. Aramids can be heated and molded at temperatures between 280-300°C, but they tend to be more costly. Compared to other types of polyamides, like the simpler straight-chain ones, Aramids have some advantages. They are better at maintaining their size and shape, they resist flames and heat better, and they are generally stronger.
Among this large polymer family, several types of polyamides are particularly suited for given applications. The best choice depends on the set of performances needed as well as the economical constraints.
The two most widely used PAs are by far PA66 and PA6. They are often extruded to manufacture fibers (textile industry) or films (packaging), or injection molded.
The polyamides with the highest performances are PPA and PA46. They are good candidates for metal replacement developments or very specific applications exposed to extreme conditions.
Bio-based PA is also available. For instance, PA11 is based on castor-oil chemistry.
Many other polyamide monomers exist, however the monomers described above are the most applicable in 3D printing due to their thermal properties and structural durability.
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