spore: profile
id: pa-46
spore_version: 0.2
family: polyamides
name: Polyamide 46 (nylon 46)
abbreviation: PA 46
role: high-heat engineering thermoplastic for moulded gear, housing and structural parts
category: polymers
type: polyamides
summary: |
  Polyamide 46 (nylon 46) is a semicrystalline aliphatic polyamide made from 1,4-diaminobutane and adipic acid. Envalior sells it as Stanyl. The unfilled TW341 grade is read here from a copy of the DSM datasheet (copyright 2011) with a melting temperature of 295 °C (ISO 11357-3), a deflection temperature of 190 °C at 1.8 MPa and a thermal index of 152 °C at 5000 h (IEC 60216). Water is the main limit: the TW341 tensile modulus falls from 3300 MPa dry to 1000 MPa conditioned. Mitsubishi's Nylatron 4.6 sheet gives a continuous service temperature in air of 149 °C. No atomic-oxygen erosion yield for PA 46 was found in the NASA table.
best_for: 'Heat-tolerant moulded parts that carry load: TW341 has a deflection temperature of 190 °C at 1.8 MPa, and the 50 % glass-filled TW241F10 grade has 290 °C at 1.80 MPa'
weakest_at: 'Water: TW341 takes up 3.7 % moisture at 50 % RH and its tensile modulus falls from 3300 MPa dry to 1000 MPa conditioned. Strong acids and strong alkalis are rated unacceptable for Nylatron 4.6'
identity:
  name: Polyamide 46 (nylon 46)
  abbreviation: PA 46
  formula: Poly(tetramethylene adipamide), -[NH(CH2)4NH-CO(CH2)4CO]-n, made from 1,4-diaminobutane and adipic acid
  cas: 50327-22-5
  source: goodfellow-nylon46-rod
  where: Common properties table, CAS Number row. The same page prints the formula (C12H22N2)n, which does not match this repeat unit, so it is not used
  designations:
    - system: Trade name
      code: Stanyl
      source: stanyl-tw341-pdf
      where: Title line, Stanyl TW341
tags:
  environments: []
  stresses:
    - extreme-heat
  applications:
    - mechanisms
    - structures
properties:
  - benchmark: density
    label: Density, Stanyl TW341 (dry)
    value: 1.18
    unit: g/cm3
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Stanyl TW341, heat stabilised, lubricated, natural
      test: ISO 1183
      state: dry
    method: Typical value printed on the IDES copy of the DSM Stanyl TW341 datasheet, ISO 1183 as printed
    status: ground
    source: stanyl-tw341-pdf
    where: Physical table, Density row, Dry column
  - benchmark: density
    label: Specific gravity, Nylatron 4.6 (unreinforced)
    value: 1.19
    unit: g/cm3
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Nylatron 4.6, unreinforced nylon 46
      test: ASTM D792
    method: Typical value printed on the Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials Nylatron 4.6 ASTM product data sheet
    status: ground
    source: nylatron-46-pdf
    where: Physical Properties table, Specific Gravity row
  - benchmark: moisture_absorption
    label: Water absorption at equilibrium, 23 °C, 50 % RH, Stanyl TW341
    value: 3.7
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Stanyl TW341, heat stabilised, lubricated
      humidity: 50 % RH
      temperature: 23 °C
      test: ISO 62
    method: Typical value printed on the IDES copy of the DSM Stanyl TW341 datasheet, ISO 62 as printed
    status: ground
    source: stanyl-tw341-pdf
    where: Physical table, Water Absorption, Equilibrium row, 73 °F (23 °C), 50 % RH
  - benchmark: moisture_absorption
    label: Water absorption at equilibrium, Goodfellow nylon 46 rod
    value: 3.7
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Nylon 46 rod, as listed on the Goodfellow page
      test: not stated on the page
    method: Value printed on the Goodfellow nylon 46 rod page; the page gives no test standard or humidity condition
    status: ground
    source: goodfellow-nylon46-rod
    where: Physical Properties table, Water absorption - equilibrium row
  - benchmark: moisture_absorption
    label: Water absorption, immersion 24 h, Nylatron 4.6
    value: 0.6
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Nylatron 4.6, unreinforced nylon 46
      test: ASTM D570
      state: immersion for 24 hours
    method: Typical value printed on the Nylatron 4.6 ASTM product data sheet, ASTM D570 as printed
    status: ground
    source: nylatron-46-pdf
    where: Physical Properties table, Water Absorption row, Immersion 24hr
  - benchmark: moisture_absorption
    label: Water absorption at saturation, Nylatron 4.6
    value: 7
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Nylatron 4.6, unreinforced nylon 46
      test: ASTM D570
      state: saturation
    method: Typical value printed on the Nylatron 4.6 ASTM product data sheet, ASTM D570 as printed
    status: ground
    source: nylatron-46-pdf
    where: Physical Properties table, Water Absorption at Saturation row
  - benchmark: elastic_modulus
    label: Tensile modulus, Stanyl TW341 (dry)
    value: 3300
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Stanyl TW341, heat stabilised, lubricated
      test: ISO 527-2
      state: dry
    method: Typical value printed on the IDES copy of the DSM Stanyl TW341 datasheet, ISO 527-2 as printed
    status: ground
    source: stanyl-tw341-pdf
    where: Mechanical table, Tensile Modulus row, Dry column, 73 °F (23 °C)
  - benchmark: elastic_modulus
    label: Tensile modulus, Stanyl TW341 (conditioned)
    value: 1000
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Stanyl TW341, heat stabilised, lubricated
      test: ISO 527-2
      state: conditioned
    method: Typical value printed on the IDES copy of the DSM Stanyl TW341 datasheet, ISO 527-2 as printed
    status: ground
    source: stanyl-tw341-pdf
    where: Mechanical table, Tensile Modulus row, Conditioned column
  - benchmark: yield_strength
    label: Tensile stress at yield, Stanyl TW341 (dry)
    value: 100
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Stanyl TW341, heat stabilised, lubricated
      test: ISO 527-2
      state: dry
    method: Typical value printed on the IDES copy of the DSM Stanyl TW341 datasheet, ISO 527-2 as printed
    status: ground
    source: stanyl-tw341-pdf
    where: Mechanical table, Tensile Stress Yield row, Dry column
  - benchmark: yield_strength
    label: Tensile stress at yield, Stanyl TW341 (conditioned)
    value: 55
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Stanyl TW341, heat stabilised, lubricated
      test: ISO 527-2
      state: conditioned
    method: Typical value printed on the IDES copy of the DSM Stanyl TW341 datasheet, ISO 527-2 as printed
    status: ground
    source: stanyl-tw341-pdf
    where: Mechanical table, Tensile Stress Yield row, Conditioned column
  - benchmark: elongation
    label: Nominal tensile strain at break, Stanyl TW341 (dry)
    value: 40
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Stanyl TW341, heat stabilised, lubricated
      test: ISO 527-2
      state: dry
    method: Typical value printed on the IDES copy of the DSM Stanyl TW341 datasheet, ISO 527-2 as printed; the conditioned value is printed only as more than 50 %
    status: ground
    source: stanyl-tw341-pdf
    where: Mechanical table, Nominal Tensile Strain at Break row, Dry column
  - benchmark: flexural_modulus
    label: Flexural modulus, Stanyl TW341 (dry)
    value: 3000
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Stanyl TW341, heat stabilised, lubricated
      test: ISO 178
      state: dry
    method: Typical value printed on the IDES copy of the DSM Stanyl TW341 datasheet, ISO 178 as printed
    status: ground
    source: stanyl-tw341-pdf
    where: Mechanical table, Flexural Modulus row, Dry column
  - benchmark: flexural_modulus
    label: Flexural modulus, Stanyl TW341 (conditioned)
    value: 900
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Stanyl TW341, heat stabilised, lubricated
      test: ISO 178
      state: conditioned
    method: Typical value printed on the IDES copy of the DSM Stanyl TW341 datasheet, ISO 178 as printed
    status: ground
    source: stanyl-tw341-pdf
    where: Mechanical table, Flexural Modulus row, Conditioned column
  - benchmark: heat_deflection_temperature
    label: Deflection temperature at 1.8 MPa, unannealed, Stanyl TW341 (dry)
    value: 190
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Stanyl TW341, heat stabilised, lubricated
      load: 1.8 MPa
      test: ISO 75-2/A
      state: dry, unannealed
    method: Typical value printed on the IDES copy of the DSM Stanyl TW341 datasheet, ISO 75-2/A as printed
    status: ground
    source: stanyl-tw341-pdf
    where: Thermal table, Deflection Temperature Under Load, 264 psi (1.8 MPa) Unannealed row
  - benchmark: melting_point
    label: Melting temperature, Stanyl TW341 (dry)
    value: 295
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Stanyl TW341, heat stabilised, lubricated
      test: ISO 11357-3
      state: dry
      heating_rate: 10 °C/min
    method: Typical value printed on the IDES copy of the DSM Stanyl TW341 datasheet, ISO 11357-3 as printed
    status: ground
    source: stanyl-tw341-pdf
    where: Thermal table, Melting Temperature row, Dry column
  - benchmark: dielectric_constant
    label: Relative permittivity at 100 Hz, Stanyl TW341 (dry)
    value: 3.9
    unit: '-'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Stanyl TW341, heat stabilised, lubricated
      test: IEC 60250
      frequency: 100 Hz
      state: dry
    method: Typical value printed on the IDES copy of the DSM Stanyl TW341 datasheet, IEC 60250 as printed
    status: ground
    source: stanyl-tw341-pdf
    where: Electrical table, Relative Permittivity, 100 Hz row, Dry column
  - benchmark: dielectric_constant
    label: Relative permittivity at 100 Hz, Stanyl TW341 (conditioned)
    value: 22
    unit: '-'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Stanyl TW341, heat stabilised, lubricated
      test: IEC 60250
      frequency: 100 Hz
      state: conditioned
    method: Typical value printed on the IDES copy of the DSM Stanyl TW341 datasheet, IEC 60250 as printed
    status: ground
    source: stanyl-tw341-pdf
    where: Electrical table, Relative Permittivity, 100 Hz row, Conditioned column
  - benchmark: dielectric_strength
    label: Electric strength, Stanyl TW341 (dry)
    value: 25
    unit: kV/mm
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Stanyl TW341, heat stabilised, lubricated
      test: IEC 60243-1
      state: dry
    method: Typical value printed on the IDES copy of the DSM Stanyl TW341 datasheet, kV/mm in parentheses, IEC 60243-1 as printed
    status: ground
    source: stanyl-tw341-pdf
    where: Electrical table, Electric Strength row, Dry column
  - benchmark: dielectric_strength
    label: Electric strength, Stanyl TW341 (conditioned)
    value: 15
    unit: kV/mm
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Stanyl TW341, heat stabilised, lubricated
      test: IEC 60243-1
      state: conditioned
    method: Typical value printed on the IDES copy of the DSM Stanyl TW341 datasheet, kV/mm in parentheses, IEC 60243-1 as printed
    status: ground
    source: stanyl-tw341-pdf
    where: Electrical table, Electric Strength row, Conditioned column
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Tensile strength, Nylatron 4.6 (unreinforced)
    value: 103
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Nylatron 4.6, unreinforced nylon 46
      test: ASTM D638
      temperature: 23 °C
      state: dry as moulded
    method: Typical value printed on the Nylatron 4.6 ASTM product data sheet, ASTM D638 as printed
    status: ground
    source: nylatron-46-pdf
    where: Mechanical Properties table, Tensile Strength row
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Tensile strength at 65 °C, Nylatron 4.6 (unreinforced)
    value: 41.4
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Nylatron 4.6, unreinforced nylon 46
      test: ASTM D638
      temperature: 65 °C
    method: Typical value printed on the Nylatron 4.6 ASTM product data sheet, ASTM D638 as printed
    status: ground
    source: nylatron-46-pdf
    where: Mechanical Properties table, Tensile Strength at 65°C (150°F) row
  - benchmark: elongation
    label: Elongation at break, Nylatron 4.6 (unreinforced)
    value: 25
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Nylatron 4.6, unreinforced nylon 46
      test: ASTM D638
    method: Typical value printed on the Nylatron 4.6 ASTM product data sheet, ASTM D638 as printed
    status: ground
    source: nylatron-46-pdf
    where: Mechanical Properties table, Elongation at Break row
  - benchmark: elastic_modulus
    label: Tensile modulus, Nylatron 4.6 (unreinforced)
    value: 3.24
    unit: GPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Nylatron 4.6, unreinforced nylon 46
      test: ASTM D638
    method: Typical value printed on the Nylatron 4.6 ASTM product data sheet, ASTM D638 as printed
    status: ground
    source: nylatron-46-pdf
    where: Mechanical Properties table, Tensile Modulus row
  - benchmark: flexural_strength
    label: Flexural strength, Nylatron 4.6 (unreinforced)
    value: 117
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Nylatron 4.6, unreinforced nylon 46
      test: ASTM D790
    method: Typical value printed on the Nylatron 4.6 ASTM product data sheet, ASTM D790 as printed
    status: ground
    source: nylatron-46-pdf
    where: Mechanical Properties table, Flexural Strength row
  - benchmark: flexural_modulus
    label: Flexural modulus, Nylatron 4.6 (unreinforced)
    value: 3.1
    unit: GPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Nylatron 4.6, unreinforced nylon 46
      test: ASTM D790
    method: Typical value printed on the Nylatron 4.6 ASTM product data sheet, ASTM D790 as printed
    status: ground
    source: nylatron-46-pdf
    where: Mechanical Properties table, Flexural Modulus row
  - benchmark: cte
    label: Coefficient of linear thermal expansion, Nylatron 4.6 (-40 to 150 °C)
    value: 90
    unit: µm/m-°C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Nylatron 4.6, unreinforced nylon 46
      test: ASTM E831
      temperature: '-40 to 150 °C'
    method: Typical value printed on the Nylatron 4.6 ASTM product data sheet, ASTM E831 as printed
    status: ground
    source: nylatron-46-pdf
    where: Thermal Properties table, CTE linear row
  - benchmark: thermal_conductivity
    label: Thermal conductivity, Nylatron 4.6 (unreinforced)
    value: 0.303
    unit: W/m-K
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Nylatron 4.6, unreinforced nylon 46
    method: Typical value printed on the Nylatron 4.6 ASTM product data sheet, as printed
    status: ground
    source: nylatron-46-pdf
    where: Thermal Properties table, Thermal Conductivity row
  - benchmark: melting_point
    label: Melting point, Nylatron 4.6 (crystalline peak)
    value: 290
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Nylatron 4.6, unreinforced nylon 46
      test: ASTM D3418
      state: crystalline peak
    method: Typical value printed on the Nylatron 4.6 ASTM product data sheet, ASTM D3418 as printed
    status: ground
    source: nylatron-46-pdf
    where: Thermal Properties table, Melting Point row
  - benchmark: max_service_temp
    label: Maximum service temperature in air, continuous, Nylatron 4.6
    value: 149
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Nylatron 4.6, unreinforced nylon 46
      state: continuous
      environment: air
    method: Typical value printed on the Nylatron 4.6 ASTM product data sheet
    status: ground
    source: nylatron-46-pdf
    where: Thermal Properties table, Maximum Service Temperature, Air row
  - benchmark: heat_deflection_temperature
    label: Deflection temperature at 1.8 MPa, Nylatron 4.6
    value: 160
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Nylatron 4.6, unreinforced nylon 46
      load: 1.8 MPa
      test: ASTM D648
    method: Typical value printed on the Nylatron 4.6 ASTM product data sheet, ASTM D648 as printed
    status: ground
    source: nylatron-46-pdf
    where: Thermal Properties table, Deflection Temperature at 1.8 MPa row
  - benchmark: elastic_modulus
    label: Tensile modulus, Stanyl TW241F10, 50 % glass fibre (dry)
    value: 16000
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Stanyl TW241F10, PA46-GF50, 50 % glass fibre, heat stabilised, lubricated
      test: ISO 527-1/-2
      state: dry
    method: Typical value printed on the Envalior Stanyl TW241F10 property data sheet (print date 2026-01-27), ISO 527-1/-2 as printed
    status: ground
    source: envalior-tw241f10-pdf
    where: Mechanical Properties, Tensile modulus row, DRY / COND column
  - benchmark: elastic_modulus
    label: Tensile modulus, Stanyl TW241F10, 50 % glass fibre (conditioned)
    value: 10000
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Stanyl TW241F10, PA46-GF50, 50 % glass fibre, heat stabilised, lubricated
      test: ISO 527-1/-2
      state: conditioned
    method: Typical value printed on the Envalior Stanyl TW241F10 property data sheet (print date 2026-01-27), ISO 527-1/-2 as printed
    status: ground
    source: envalior-tw241f10-pdf
    where: Mechanical Properties, Tensile modulus row, DRY / COND column
  - benchmark: heat_deflection_temperature
    label: Temperature of deflection under load at 1.80 MPa, Stanyl TW241F10, 50 % glass fibre (dry)
    value: 290
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Stanyl TW241F10, PA46-GF50, 50 % glass fibre
      load: 1.80 MPa
      test: ISO 75-1/-2
      state: dry
    method: Typical value printed on the Envalior Stanyl TW241F10 property data sheet (print date 2026-01-27), ISO 75-1/-2 as printed
    status: ground
    source: envalior-tw241f10-pdf
    where: Thermal Properties, Temp. of deflection under load (1.80 MPa) row
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Tensile strength, nylon 46 rod, as listed by Goodfellow
    value: 55
    value_high: 100
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Nylon 46 rod, as listed on the Goodfellow page
      test: not stated on the page
    method: Range printed on the Goodfellow nylon 46 rod page; the page gives no test standard or conditioning
    status: ground
    source: goodfellow-nylon46-rod
    where: Mechanical Properties table, Tensile strength row
  - benchmark: heat_deflection_temperature
    label: Heat deflection temperature at 0.45 MPa, nylon 46 rod, as listed by Goodfellow
    value: 220
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Nylon 46 rod, as listed on the Goodfellow page
      load: 0.45 MPa
      test: not stated on the page
    method: Value printed on the Goodfellow nylon 46 rod page; the page gives no test standard
    status: ground
    source: goodfellow-nylon46-rod
    where: Thermal Properties table, Heat-deflection temperature - 0.45MPa row
  - benchmark: dielectric_strength
    label: Dielectric strength, nylon 46 rod, as listed by Goodfellow
    value: 20
    unit: kV/mm
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Nylon 46 rod, as listed on the Goodfellow page
      test: not stated on the page
    method: Value printed on the Goodfellow nylon 46 rod page; the page gives no test standard
    status: ground
    source: goodfellow-nylon46-rod
    where: Electrical Properties table, Dielectric strength row
  - benchmark: max_service_temp
    label: Upper working temperature range, nylon 46 rod, as listed by Goodfellow
    value: 100
    value_high: 200
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Nylon 46 rod, as listed on the Goodfellow page
      state: upper working temperature
    method: Range printed on the Goodfellow nylon 46 rod page; no test or duration is stated
    status: ground
    source: goodfellow-nylon46-rod
    where: Thermal Properties table, Upper working temperature row
corrosion:
  - environment: Continuous heat in air, unfilled Stanyl TW341 (IEC 60216)
    headline: The TW341 thermal index is 152 °C at 5000 h, for 50 % loss of tensile strength as the IEC 60216 basis.
    effect: The IDES copy of the DSM datasheet prints a thermal index of 306 °F (152 °C) at 5000 hr (its note 5). This is a life limit, not a single maximum temperature, so long-life parts need a lower service temperature than the deflection temperature.
    rating: moderate
    conditions:
      basis: Stanyl TW341 unfilled grade, IEC 60216 index as printed
      reference: DSM Stanyl TW341 datasheet, Thermal table
    source: stanyl-tw341-pdf
    where: Thermal table, Thermal Index row, note 5 (5000 hr)
  - environment: Continuous heat in air, 50 % glass-filled Stanyl TW241F10
    headline: The filled TW241F10 grade has a thermal index of 177 °C at 5000 hrs, higher than the unfilled TW341 value of 152 °C.
    effect: Envalior prints a thermal index of 177 °C at 5000 hrs (IEC 60216 and ISO 527-1/-2) for TW241F10. The value belongs to the glass-filled grade and is not a test of unfilled PA 46.
    rating: low
    conditions:
      basis: Stanyl TW241F10, PA46-GF50, 50 % glass fibre
      reference: Envalior Stanyl TW241F10 property data sheet, Other properties
    source: envalior-tw241f10-pdf
    where: Thermal Properties, Thermal Index 5000 hrs row
  - environment: Continuous service in air, unreinforced Nylatron 4.6
    headline: Nylatron 4.6 gives a maximum service temperature in air of 149 °C for continuous use.
    effect: The Nylatron 4.6 sheet prints 149 °C (300 °F) as the continuous maximum service temperature in air, lower than its 160 °C deflection temperature at 1.8 MPa. The deflection value is a short load test, not a service life.
    rating: moderate
    conditions:
      basis: Nylatron 4.6, unreinforced nylon 46, continuous use in air
      reference: Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials Nylatron 4.6 ASTM data sheet, Thermal Properties
    source: nylatron-46-pdf
    where: Thermal Properties table, Maximum Service Temperature, Air row
  - environment: Humid air and water, from 23 °C and 50 % RH to conditioned state (Stanyl TW341)
    headline: 'Moisture is the largest change: TW341 tensile modulus falls from 3300 MPa dry to 1000 MPa conditioned, and yield stress from 100 MPa to 55.0 MPa.'
    effect: 'Water uptake to equilibrium lowers stiffness and strength. The filled TW241F10 grade shows a smaller fall: its tensile modulus goes from 16000 MPa dry to 10000 MPa conditioned, and Envalior prints a humidity absorption of 1.85 % for it (simulated to ISO 62).'
    rating: severe
    conditions:
      basis: Stanyl TW341 unfilled and Stanyl TW241F10 50 % glass-filled, dry against conditioned as printed
      reference: DSM Stanyl TW341 datasheet, Mechanical table; Envalior Stanyl TW241F10 property data sheet, Mechanical and Other properties
    source: stanyl-tw341-pdf
    where: Mechanical table, Tensile Modulus and Tensile Stress Yield rows, Dry and Conditioned columns
  - environment: Sunlight, hot water or steam, and strong acids or alkalis (Nylatron 4.6 chemical resistance table)
    headline: Nylatron 4.6 rates continuous sunlight and hot water or steam as Limited, and strong acids and strong alkalis as Unacceptable.
    effect: The Nylatron 4.6 table gives a chemical resistance rating of Limited for continuous sunlight and for hot water or steam, and Unacceptable for strong acids at pH 1 to 3 and strong alkalis at pH 11 to 14. Weak acids, alcohols and aliphatic hydrocarbons are rated Limited or Acceptable. No UV exposure test values for PA 46 were read.
    rating: moderate
    conditions:
      basis: Nylatron 4.6, unreinforced nylon 46, qualitative ratings as printed
      reference: Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials Nylatron 4.6 ASTM data sheet, Chemical Resistance Properties table
    source: nylatron-46-pdf
    where: Chemical Resistance Properties table, Continuous Sunlight, Hot Water / Steam, Acids Strong and Alkalies Strong rows
  - environment: Ionising radiation (Goodfellow listing for nylon 46 rod)
    headline: Goodfellow rates radiation resistance of nylon 46 rod as Fair, with no dose value.
    effect: The Goodfellow page gives a qualitative radiation resistance of Fair and no dose figure. It cannot be used as a dose limit for a space part.
    rating: low
    conditions:
      basis: Nylon 46 rod, as listed on the Goodfellow page
      reference: Goodfellow nylon 46 rod page, Physical Properties
    source: goodfellow-nylon46-rod
    where: Physical Properties table, Radiation resistance row
  - environment: Atomic oxygen in low Earth orbit
    headline: NASA's erosion table lists polyamide 6 and polyamide 66 but no polyamide 46 row.
    effect: NASA TM-2008-215490 Table I gives erosion yields for PA 6 and PA 66 from MISSE flight samples, and no PA 46 row was found in the report, so no atomic-oxygen value is recorded for PA 46 here.
    rating: moderate
    conditions:
      basis: NASA/TM-2008-215490 erosion yield table, polymers listed as printed
      reference: Banks, de Groh and Backus, NASA/TM-2008-215490
    source: nasa-tm-2008-215490
    where: Table I, polyamide rows (PA 6 and PA 66 only)
risks:
  hazards:
    - text: '1,4-diaminobutane (putrescine, CID 1045, molar mass 88.15 g/mol): PubChem aggregates 247 company reports to the ECHA C&L Inventory. H302 appears in 89.5 % of notifications that give hazard codes, H314 (causes severe skin burns and eye damage) in 88.7 %, H330 (fatal if inhaled) in 83.4 %, H311 (toxic in contact with skin) and H318 (causes serious eye damage) each in 68 %, H226 (flammable liquid and vapour) in 29.1 %, and H412 in 42.9 %. The signal word is Danger.'
      ghs:
        - H226
        - H290
        - H302
        - H311
        - H314
        - H318
        - H330
        - H412
      source: pubchem-putrescine
      where: Safety and Hazards, GHS Classification (CID 1045)
    - text: 'Adipic acid (CID 196, molar mass 146.14 g/mol): PubChem aggregates 5531 company reports to the ECHA C&L Inventory. H319 (causes serious eye irritation) appears in 95.6 % of notifications that give hazard codes, with the signal word Warning.'
      ghs:
        - H319
      source: pubchem-adipic-acid
      where: Safety and Hazards, GHS Classification (CID 196)
  failure_risks:
    - mode: Water uptake
      trigger: Use of the unfilled grade in humid air or water
      consequence: Moisture of 3.7 % at 50 % RH (TW341) and 7.0 % at saturation (Nylatron 4.6) lowers the tensile modulus from 3300 MPa dry to 1000 MPa conditioned in TW341
      severity: high
      source: stanyl-tw341-pdf
      where: Physical table, Water Absorption row; Mechanical table, Tensile Modulus row
    - mode: Long-term heat
      trigger: Continuous service at elevated temperature in air
      consequence: A thermal index of 152 °C at 5000 hrs for unfilled TW341, and a continuous maximum service temperature in air of 149 °C for Nylatron 4.6
      severity: moderate
      source: stanyl-tw341-pdf
      where: Thermal table, Thermal Index row, note 5
    - mode: Strong acids and alkalis
      trigger: Contact with strong acids at pH 1 to 3, or strong alkalis at pH 11 to 14
      consequence: Nylatron 4.6 is rated Unacceptable for these media, so the part can degrade in service
      severity: high
      source: nylatron-46-pdf
      where: Chemical Resistance Properties table, Acids Strong and Alkalies Strong rows
  side_effects: []
  handling:
    - text: Dry the pellets before moulding. TW341 prints a suggested maximum moisture of 0.050 % before injection moulding.
      source: stanyl-tw341-pdf
      where: Injection table, Suggested Max Moisture row
    - text: Melt at 300 to 320 °C and set the mould at 80.0 to 120 °C, as TW341 prints for injection moulding.
      source: stanyl-tw341-pdf
      where: Injection table, Processing (Melt) Temp and Mold Temperature rows
    - text: Pick the grade for the state you need. The glass-filled TW241F10 grade has a different moisture and stiffness profile from the unfilled TW341 grade.
      source: envalior-tw241f10-pdf
      where: Thermal and Other properties, filled grade values
  mitigations: []
uses:
  - application: mechanisms
    device: Electronic foot throttle assemblies
    example: The TW341 sheet lists Deere parts that use this grade, including AL162509 FOOT THROTTLE ASSY., ELECTR., AUTO PO and a plastic clip, with AKO-Kunststoffe as the molder.
    source: stanyl-tw341-pdf
    where: Deere Information, Molder Name and Part Number + Description rows
  - application: mechanisms
    device: Gears and structural parts (50 % glass fibre)
    example: Envalior states that TW241F10 has an excellent track record in gear applications and structural parts.
    source: envalior-tw241f10-pdf
    where: Opening paragraph of the property data sheet
  - application: structures
    device: Under-the-hood engine and transmission parts
    example: Wikipedia says nylon 46 is used in automotive under-the-hood applications, including engine and transmission, engine-management, air-inlet, brake and air-cooling systems.
    source: wikipedia-nylon46
    where: Uses section
supply:
  - subject: Commercial PA 46 resin (Stanyl)
    demand: Wikipedia describes Envalior (formerly DSM) as the only commercial supplier of nylon 46, sold as Stanyl. Full-scale production started in Geleen, Netherlands, in 1990. No volume or country share was read.
    routes: Nylon 46 is made by polycondensation of 1,4-diaminobutane and adipic acid (Wikipedia).
    producers: []
    critical_lists: []
    substitutes: []
    source: wikipedia-nylon46
    where: Chemical Reaction, Producer and History sections
media: []
documents:
  - title: Stanyl TW341 Polyamide 46 datasheet, DSM Engineering Plastics, IDES copy (copyright 2011)
    type: datasheet
    url: https://protolabs.com/media/zkljkqyq/stanyl-tw341.pdf
  - title: Nylatron 4.6 ASTM product data sheet, Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials
    type: datasheet
    url: https://www.polymershapes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Polymershapes_MitsubishiChemicalAdvancedMaterials_DataSheet-Nylatron-4.6.pdf
  - title: Stanyl TW241F10 property data sheet, PA46-GF50, Envalior (print date 2026-01-27)
    type: datasheet
    url: https://plasticker.de/docs/recybase/1845_1770288239.pdf
  - title: Goodfellow nylon 46 rod page
    type: database
    url: https://www.goodfellow.com/usa/nylon-46-rod-group
  - title: Banks, de Groh and Backus, Atomic Oxygen Erosion Yield Predictive Tool for Spacecraft Polymers in Low Earth Orbit, NASA/TM-2008-215490
    type: report
    url: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20090011780
  - title: PubChem CID 1045, 1,4-diaminobutane (putrescine), GHS classification
    type: database
    url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/1045
  - title: PubChem CID 196, adipic acid, GHS classification
    type: database
    url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/196
gaps:
  - 'No atomic-oxygen erosion yield for PA 46: NASA TM-2008-215490 Table I lists PA 6 and PA 66 only.'
  - 'No hydrolysis data and no UV exposure test values for PA 46. UV is limited to the qualitative Nylatron 4.6 rating (continuous sunlight: Limited).'
  - No outgassing, thermal-cycling or vacuum data for PA 46 were read.
  - The TW341 sheet is an IDES copy with a 2011 copyright line. The current Envalior datasheet for the unfilled grade was not found as a readable page, so TW341 values may be out of date.
  - The TW241F10 values are for a 50 % glass-filled grade and are labelled as such. They are not unfilled PA 46 values.
  - 'Differences between grades and test methods are kept as separate rows: melting point 295 °C (TW341, ISO 11357-3) and 290 °C (Nylatron 4.6, ASTM D3418); deflection temperature 190 °C (TW341, ISO 75-2/A) and 160 °C (Nylatron 4.6, ASTM D648) and 220 °C at 0.45 MPa (Goodfellow); saturation moisture 7.0 % (Nylatron 4.6) against 3.7 % at 50 % RH (TW341).'
  - The Goodfellow page prints the formula (C12H22N2)n, which does not match the nylon 46 repeat unit. The formula in identity is written from the monomers instead, and the CAS number 50327-22-5 is taken from the same page.
  - No polymer SDS or GHS record for PA 46 itself was read. The hazard entries are for the monomers 1,4-diaminobutane and adipic acid.
  - No producer list or country shares for PA 46 were found. Wikipedia names Envalior as the only commercial supplier, with no volume.
  - No producers, country shares or supply data for 1,4-diaminobutane (putrescine) were found.
  - No electronics application is claimed. Wikipedia mentions electronics markets without specifics.
  - 'Glass transition temperature for TW341 is not recorded: the test standard on the printed sheet is cut off.'
  - Yield stress is recorded only for TW341 (unfilled, IDES copy) and not for Nylatron 4.6, whose sheet prints no yield value.
  - Search snippets for other Stanyl grades (TW241F3, F6, F8, F12 and TW376) were not read as pages, so no values from them are used.
  - Notched Izod, Charpy and volume resistivity of Nylatron 4.6 are not recorded, because their names are not in the property canon or they need a unit conversion that was not checked.
  - 'TW341 volume resistivity (printed 1.0E+13 and 1.0E+7 ohm·m, IEC 60093) was read but left out: the printed exponent form does not match the value check, so these two rows are not in the file until the check accepts that form.'
sources:
  stanyl-tw341-pdf:
    title: Stanyl TW341 Polyamide 46, DSM Engineering Plastics datasheet, IDES copy
    id: IDES (The Plastics Web) copy of the DSM Stanyl TW341 datasheet, copyright 2011
    url: https://protolabs.com/media/zkljkqyq/stanyl-tw341.pdf
    year: 2011
    kind: datasheet
    license: manufacturer datasheet, linked not reproduced
  nylatron-46-pdf:
    title: Nylatron 4.6 ASTM product data sheet, Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials
    id: Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials Nylatron 4.6 ASTM product data sheet
    url: https://www.polymershapes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Polymershapes_MitsubishiChemicalAdvancedMaterials_DataSheet-Nylatron-4.6.pdf
    year: 2020
    kind: datasheet
    license: manufacturer datasheet, linked not reproduced
  envalior-tw241f10-pdf:
    title: Stanyl TW241F10 property data sheet, PA46-GF50, Envalior
    id: Envalior Stanyl TW241F10 property data sheet (copy on plasticker.de), print date 2026-01-27
    url: https://plasticker.de/docs/recybase/1845_1770288239.pdf
    year: 2026
    kind: datasheet
    license: manufacturer datasheet, linked not reproduced
  goodfellow-nylon46-rod:
    title: Goodfellow nylon 46 rod page
    id: goodfellow.com, nylon 46 rod group
    url: https://www.goodfellow.com/usa/nylon-46-rod-group
    year: 2026
    kind: database
    license: web page, linked not reproduced
  nasa-tm-2008-215490:
    title: Atomic Oxygen Erosion Yield Predictive Tool for Spacecraft Polymers in Low Earth Orbit
    id: NASA/TM-2008-215490 (Banks, de Groh and Backus, 2008), NTRS 20090011780
    url: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20090011780
    year: 2008
    kind: report
    license: NASA public document
  wikipedia-nylon46:
    title: Nylon 46, Wikipedia
    id: en.wikipedia.org, Nylon 46
    url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nylon_46
    year: 2026
    kind: web
    license: CC-BY-SA, linked not reproduced
  pubchem-putrescine:
    title: PubChem CID 1045, 1,4-diaminobutane (putrescine), GHS classification
    id: PubChem CID 1045
    url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/1045
    year: 2026
    kind: database
    license: public domain, linked not reproduced
  pubchem-adipic-acid:
    title: PubChem CID 196, hexanedioic acid (adipic acid), GHS classification
    id: PubChem CID 196
    url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/196
    year: 2026
    kind: database
    license: public domain, linked not reproduced
license: CC-BY-4.0
updated: '2026-10-26'
review:
  status: draft
  method: assistant
  checked_values: 37
  unreachable: 0
  caveats: 14
  note: 'New profile written on 2026-10-26 by an AI assistant from pages read in this run: the IDES copy of the Stanyl TW341 datasheet, the Nylatron 4.6 ASTM data sheet, the Envalior Stanyl TW241F10 property data sheet (copy on plasticker.de), the Goodfellow nylon 46 rod page, NASA TM-2008-215490 (PA 46 not listed), Wikipedia Nylon 46, and PubChem CIDs 1045 and 196 (REST API). Values are as printed. The TW241F10 values are for a 50 % glass-filled grade. Not verified by verify-values in this run.'
story:
  recipe:
    line: Nylon 46 is made by polycondensation of 1,4-diaminobutane (putrescine) and adipic acid, which gives the 4-6 name (Wikipedia). Its repeat unit is -[NH(CH2)4NH-CO(CH2)4CO]-, with four CH2 groups from each monomer.
    parts:
      - name: 1,4-diaminobutane (putrescine)
        symbol: C4H12N2
        molar_mass: 88.15
        role: Diamine monomer. Its amine groups react with the acid groups of adipic acid (PubChem CID 1045).
      - name: Adipic acid
        symbol: C6H10O4
        molar_mass: 146.14
        role: Diacid monomer that forms the amide links with the diamine (PubChem CID 196).
  risk_groups:
    - title: For people
      lead: The monomers are the hazard to watch. The polymer SDS was not read, and PubChem's aggregate for 1,4-diaminobutane includes severe skin burns and fatal inhalation.
      level: 1
      verdict: Dry before processing; treat the diamine as toxic
      points:
        - label: Handling
          line: TW341 prints a suggested maximum moisture of 0.050 % before injection moulding.
        - label: Monomers
          line: 1,4-diaminobutane carries Danger with H314 (causes severe skin burns and eye damage) in 88.7 % of PubChem notifications, and H330 (fatal if inhaled) in 83.4 %. Adipic acid carries Warning with H319 (serious eye irritation).
    - title: If it fails
      lead: The failure routes in these sources are water uptake, long-term heat and strong acids and alkalis.
      points:
        - label: Water
          line: TW341 takes up 3.7 % moisture at 50 % RH, and its tensile modulus falls from 3300 MPa dry to 1000 MPa conditioned.
        - label: Heat
          line: TW341 has a thermal index of 152 °C at 5000 hrs (IEC 60216). Nylatron 4.6 is rated for 149 °C continuous service in air.
        - label: Chemicals
          line: Nylatron 4.6 rates strong acids and strong alkalis as Unacceptable.
  why: 'Polyamide 46 is a semicrystalline aliphatic polyamide that Envalior sells as Stanyl. The unfilled TW341 grade has a melting temperature of 295 °C, a deflection temperature of 190 °C at 1.8 MPa and a dry tensile modulus of 3300 MPa. The gap between dry and conditioned is the main thing to read in the table: conditioned TW341 falls to 1000 MPa. Envalior''s glass-filled TW241F10 grade is much stiffer, at 16000 MPa dry.'
  uses:
    - where: Electronic foot throttle assemblies
      line: The TW341 sheet lists Deere foot throttle assembly parts that use this grade, moulded by AKO-Kunststoffe.
    - where: Gears and structural parts
      line: Envalior says the glass-filled TW241F10 has a track record in gear applications and structural parts. This is a 50 % glass-fibre composite, not the unfilled grade.
    - where: Under-the-hood parts
      line: Wikipedia lists automotive under-the-hood use for nylon 46, including engine, transmission, brake and air-cooling systems.
  can_do:
    - label: Heat under load
      value: 190 °C at 1.8 MPa
      benchmark: heat_deflection_temperature
      line: The unfilled TW341 grade has a deflection temperature of 190 °C at 1.8 MPa (ISO 75-2/A), and Nylatron 4.6 gives 160 °C (ASTM D648).
    - label: Stiff when dry
      value: 16000 MPa tensile modulus
      benchmark: elastic_modulus
      line: Glass-filled TW241F10 has a dry tensile modulus of 16000 MPa and 10000 MPa conditioned, as printed by Envalior (ISO 527-1/-2).
    - label: Long heat life
      value: 152 °C thermal index
      benchmark: max_service_temp
      line: TW341 has a thermal index of 152 °C at 5000 hrs (IEC 60216), and the filled TW241F10 grade has 177 °C at 5000 hrs.
  compare: 'The TW341 dry and conditioned rows are one grade in two states, so they show what moisture changes: the modulus falls from 3300 MPa to 1000 MPa. Nylatron 4.6 is a different unreinforced grade and gives 3.24 GPa tensile modulus, 290 °C melting point and 7.0 % water at saturation, so its values are read as examples, not as a ranking. The filled TW241F10 grade shows what 50 % glass fibre does: 16000 MPa dry and 1.85 % humidity absorption. The Goodfellow rod rows give ranges with no test standard printed, so they are kept as examples only.'
  compare_rows:
    - scope: material
      label: Density
      benchmark: density
    - scope: material
      label: Tensile modulus, dry
      benchmark: elastic_modulus
    - scope: material
      label: Water absorption at equilibrium
      benchmark: moisture_absorption
    - scope: material
      label: Deflection temperature at 1.8 MPa
      benchmark: heat_deflection_temperature
  handling:
    - Specify dry or conditioned. The tensile modulus of TW341 falls from 3300 MPa dry to 1000 MPa conditioned.
    - Dry the pellets before moulding to 0.050 % moisture or less, as TW341 prints for injection moulding.
    - Treat the datasheet values as typical values, as each sheet states, and not as specification limits.
  good_for:
    - 'Stiff, heat-resistant moulded parts in the dry state: 3300 MPa tensile modulus and 190 °C deflection temperature at 1.8 MPa for TW341.'
    - 'Filled gear and structural parts: TW241F10 at 16000 MPa dry and 290 °C at 1.80 MPa (Envalior).'
    - 'Known heat life: thermal index 152 °C at 5000 hrs for unfilled TW341, and 177 °C for TW241F10.'
  watch_out:
    - 'Water: TW341 modulus falls from 3300 MPa dry to 1000 MPa conditioned. Keep the dry state in the design or allow for the loss.'
    - Strong acids and alkalis are rated Unacceptable for Nylatron 4.6, and sunlight is rated Limited.
    - No atomic-oxygen erosion value for PA 46 was found, so exterior use in low Earth orbit needs its own test.
    - The monomer hazards are the ones PubChem reports for the diamine and the acid, not for the polymer.
  verdict: 'Polyamide 46 is a high-heat engineering thermoplastic. Unfilled TW341 has a melting temperature of 295 °C, a deflection temperature of 190 °C at 1.8 MPa and a thermal index of 152 °C at 5000 hrs. Water is the main limit: the TW341 tensile modulus falls from 3300 MPa dry to 1000 MPa conditioned. No atomic-oxygen erosion value or UV test value for PA 46 was found, so space use needs a test.'