PA46 (Polyamide 46, Nylon 46) is a highly crystalline, high-performance aliphatic engineering plastic. Its molecular chain structure is regular, with high crystallinity and fast crystallization speed. Compared with conventional general-purpose nylons (PA6, PA66), its base density is higher, and it also has ultra-high strength, high rigidity, excellent heat resistance, and fatigue resistance. The long-term service temperature is far better than ordinary nylons, making it an ideal alternative material for high-temperature, high-stress, and high-load working conditions. The density of PA46 is less affected by crystallinity, with fluctuations mainly coming from modification types and the proportion of added components. Different types and modified versions of PA46 have slight density variations. Accurate grasp of its density parameters is of great significance for strength check, mold design, process optimization, and weight control of high-temperature structural components.
General-purpose pure PA46: 1.18–1.20 g/cm³, typical value 1.19 g/cm³. The high crystalline structure endows the base grade with excellent mechanical properties and heat resistance, which can meet the needs of medium and low-load high-temperature scenarios without complex modification.
Glass fiber reinforced PA46 (15–50%): 1.28–1.65 g/cm³. The higher the glass fiber content, the more obvious the density increase. At the same time, the high-temperature strength, rigidity, and dimensional stability of the material increase step by step, suitable for ultra-high-load high-temperature working conditions.
Mineral-filled PA46: 1.22–1.40 g/cm³. Filling content is positively correlated with density. It mainly adds minerals such as talc and glass beads to effectively reduce material anisotropy, improve warpage, and control production costs.
Flame-retardant PA46: 1.20–1.30 g/cm³. It covers both halogen-free and halogen-based flame-retardant systems. The addition of flame retardants makes the density slightly higher than pure PA46, with the halogen-based flame-retardant system having a relatively larger density increase, meeting the V-0 flame-retardant requirements of electronic connectors, switches, and other components.
Toughened PA46: 1.18–1.22 g/cm³. The addition of toughening agents causes slight density fluctuations. The core function is to improve the material's low-temperature brittleness and notch impact strength, while retaining high heat resistance, and enhancing the material's impact resistance.
Glass fiber + mineral composite PA46: 1.30–1.55 g/cm³. It combines the high strength of glass fiber with the low warpage characteristics of minerals, with density between single reinforcement systems, balanced comprehensive performance, suitable for high-temperature components requiring both high strength and dimensional stability.
This density parameter is the core basis for the design of high-temperature structural components such as automotive engine peripheral parts (e.g., throttle bodies, sensor housings, cylinder head covers), electrical connectors, circuit breaker components, power tool housings, and gear transmission systems. The stable density brought by high crystallinity ensures minimal dimensional change rate under long-term high-temperature conditions above 200°C. Density calculation is also key data for product strength check, mold cooling system design, assembly tolerance matching, and injection molding process optimization, while supporting the play of its core characteristics of ultra-high heat resistance, high rigidity, and fatigue resistance.
