PA6-GF Overview

PA6-GF is a glass-fiber-reinforced Nylon 6 engineered for high strength, rigidity, durability, and dimensional stability. It is suited to structural prototypes, fixtures, tooling, housings, and end-use components requiring elevated thermal and mechanical performance.

Design Advantages

  • Glass-fiber reinforcement improves stiffness, strength, and dimensional stability
  • High softening and heat-deflection temperatures for demanding service
  • Strong flexural performance for brackets, fixtures, tooling, and housings
  • Cost-effective option for reinforced engineering-polymer applications

Material Specifications

ItemPublished Value
Material familyNylon 6 with glass fiber
Filament diameter1.75 mm
Published density1.14 g/cm3
Vicat softening temperature210 °C
Heat deflection temperature158 °C at 1.8 MPa; 182 °C at 0.45 MPa
Water solubilityInsoluble

Material Properties

Physical and Thermal Properties

PropertyTest MethodPublished Value
DensityISO 11831.14 g/cm3
Melt index280 °C at 2.16 kg9.0 ± 0.8 g/10 min
Melting temperatureDSC at 10 °C/min219 °C
Glass transition temperatureDSC at 10 °C/min67 °C
Crystallization temperatureDSC at 10 °C/min183 °C
Vicat softening temperatureISO 306 and GB/T 1633210 °C
Heat deflection at 1.8 MPaISO 75158 °C
Heat deflection at 0.45 MPaISO 75182 °C
Saturated water absorption25 °C and 55% RH2.56%

Mechanical Properties

PropertyTest MethodPublished Value
Young’s modulus X/YISO 527 and GB/T 10402,850 ± 260 MPa
Young’s modulus ZISO 527 and GB/T 10401,950 ± 210 MPa
Tensile strength X/YISO 527 and GB/T 104075 ± 6 MPa
Tensile strength ZISO 527 and GB/T 104027 ± 5 MPa
Elongation at break X/YISO 527 and GB/T 10403.9 ± 0.8%
Elongation at break ZISO 527 and GB/T 10402.3 ± 0.7%
Flexural modulus X/YISO 178 and GB/T 93413,670 ± 140 MPa
Flexural modulus ZISO 178 and GB/T 93412,300 ± 120 MPa
Flexural strength X/YISO 178 and GB/T 9341120 ± 6 MPa
Flexural strength ZISO 178 and GB/T 934151 ± 5 MPa
Impact strength X/YISO 179 and GB/T 104327.2 ± 2.2 kJ/m2; notched 7.2 ± 2.3 kJ/m2
Impact strength ZISO 179 and GB/T 10434.1 ± 0.7 kJ/m2

Processing

Recommended Processing Window

SettingRecommended Range
Drying before printingForced-air drying oven at 80 °C for 8 to 12 h
Printing and storage humidityBelow 20% RH; sealed with desiccant
Nozzle temperature260 to 290 °C
Build surfaceHigh-temperature or textured PEI surface with suitable adhesive
Bed temperature80 to 100 °C
Cooling fan0 to 60%
Printing speedBelow 130 mm/s
Chamber temperature45 to 60 °C

Representative Specimen Conditions

ParameterSource Condition
Nozzle temperature265 °C
Bed temperature100 °C
Printing speed100 mm/s
Infill density100%
Pre-test conditioningAnnealed and dried at 80 °C for 12 h

Chemical and Handling Characteristics

CharacteristicPublished Information
CompositionNylon 6 with glass fiber
Odor and skin hazardsSolid material reported as odorless with no skin hazard
Chemical stabilityStable under normal storage and handling conditions
Water solubilityInsoluble
Acid and alkali resistanceNot resistant
Organic solvent resistanceNot resistant to some organic solvents
Oil and grease resistanceResistant to most oils and greases
FlammabilityFlammable
Combustion productsWater, carbon oxides, and nitrogen oxides; pungent odor

Design and Validation Considerations

  • Design for anisotropy: published strength, elongation, and impact performance are lower in the Z direction than in X/Y.
  • Use X/Y-oriented load paths where maximum strength, ductility, and impact performance are important.
  • Dry and store material below 20% RH with desiccant; moisture can affect extrusion quality and finished-part performance.
  • Use an enclosed, temperature-controlled build environment to manage shrinkage, warping, layer bonding, and dimensions.
  • Annealing at 80 to 130 C for 6 to 12 h may change performance but can also cause deformation; validate the specific geometry and process.
  • Confirm chemical compatibility, sustained-temperature behavior, creep, flammability, and safety-critical loads in the intended service environment.

Published Data and Qualification