| HS Code | 298679 |
| Base Polymer | Polyamide 11 (PA11) |
| Color | Blue |
| Density | 1.04 g/cm³ |
| Bulk Density | 520 g/L |
| Melting Point | 186 °C |
| Particle Size | D50 = 50 µm |
| Shore D Hardness | 72 |
| Tensile Strength | 45 MPa |
| Elongation At Break | 320% |
| Water Absorption | 1.5% (24h immersion) |
| Dielectric Strength | 16 kV/mm |
| Chemical Resistance | Resistant to many solvents, diluted acids, and alkalis |
As an accredited Arkema Rilsan Fine Powders ES BLUE 2117 MAC PA11 factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Supplied in 25 kg net multi-layer paper bags. A blue PA11 fine powder for coating applications, with consistent particle size. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | 20′ FCL container loading of Arkema Rilsan Fine Powders ES BLUE 2117 MAC PA11, securely packed in sealed bags/pails. |
| Shipping | Shipped as sealed, moisture-resistant bags or fiber drums to protect the fine PA11 powder from humidity. Use grounded equipment to avoid static discharge, and handle with care to minimize dust. Non-hazardous under normal transport, but keep containers dry and ventilated. Label with product identification and handling warnings as per SDS. |
| Storage | Store Rilsan Fine Powders ES BLUE 2117 MAC PA11 in its original, tightly closed container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames, and incompatible materials. Avoid moisture and direct sunlight. Maintain temperatures below 40°C. Ensure good housekeeping to prevent dust accumulation and follow local regulations for polymer powder storage. |
| Shelf Life | Store in original sealed container in a cool, dry place. Shelf life is two years from date of manufacture. |
For electrostatic deposition of Rilsan Fine Powders ES BLUE 2117 MAC onto fabricated steel and aluminum articles, the powder is normally used as the sole binder in dry coating systems rather than as a minor additive. Compliance is evaluated under ISO 9227:2022 neutral salt spray exposure, ASTM D4060-19 Taber abrasion resistance with CS-17 wheels at 1,000 cycles, ASTM D3359-17 cross-cut tape adhesion, and ASTM D2794-93 direct-impact testing. Where coated components are intended for repeated food contact, FDA 21 CFR 177.1500 and EU Regulation 10/2011 govern the polyamide-11 resin. In formulation terms, a dry blend consisting of 100 parts by mass of the PA11 powder, 0.3–1.2 phr of a non-yellowing acrylic flow-control agent, 0.05–0.30 phr fumed silica to maintain hopper fluidization, and 0.2–0.8 phr of a hindered phenolic antioxidant is homogenized in a low-shear ribbon blender at 20–25°C for 8–12 min. Downstream, the metal substrate is degreased to SSPC-SP1, grit-blasted to a profile of 50–75 µm, preheated to 200–240°C, and coated with corona charging at 60–100 kV; the deposited powder is then cured at 220–250°C for 3–8 min to a dry-film thickness of 200–350 µm. The resulting finished articles include dishwasher baskets, freezer shelves, outdoor furniture frames, automotive battery trays, and pipe support brackets. Pre-drying of the powder at 80°C for 4–6 h is required if the material has been exposed to relative humidity above 60% for more than 4 h; prolonged cure above 260°C accelerates thermal yellowing of the blue pigmentation and should be avoided.
In fluidized-bed dip coating of complex steel assemblies, the decisive variables are residual heat in the substrate, dwell time in the fluidized powder cloud, and post-fusion control. Coating performance is assessed under ASTM D2794-93 reverse impact, ASTM D4060-19 Taber abrasion, ISO 9227:2022 salt spray, and ASTM D3359-17 adhesion. The powder charge is typically 100 parts of PA11 with 0.1–0.4 phr of a dry-flow aid such as fumed alumina or silica, plus 0.4–1.0 phr of an ultraviolet stabilizer when outdoor service is specified. Prior to dipping, cleaned and blasted steel parts are preheated in a forced-air oven at 280–350°C; the part is then immersed for 2–10 seconds in a fluidized bed operated at 40–80 kPa air pressure. Post-fusion is conducted at 190–220°C for 10–20 min, producing a fused film of 300–700 µm depending on thermal mass. The finished terminal parts include valve springs, pump impellers, marine cable clamps, handrail brackets, and medical device handles. Failure modes observed on production lines are edge pullback when preheat temperature falls below 280°C and stress cracking on sharp threads when film thickness exceeds 800 µm; precipitation-hardened aluminum substrates should not be preheated above 300°C because bulk mechanical properties may deteriorate.
Food-contact equipment manufacturers employ this polyamide-11 powder in dry-blended coating formulations for stainless and carbon steel substrates that require both corrosion resistance and low-friction surfaces. The controlling standards are FDA 21 CFR 177.1500, EU Regulation 10/2011, and NSF/ANSI 51-2021 for food equipment materials. A typical formulation uses 100 parts of the PA11 powder, 0.5–1.0 phr of flow-control agent, and 0.2–0.6 phr of antioxidant; no external release agent or plasticizer is added because these can increase migration potential in fatty-food simulants. The production process begins with alkaline degreasing of the metal, followed by passivation or phosphating where specified by the equipment fabricator. The powder is electrostatically sprayed at 60–90 kV and cured at 230–250°C for 6–10 min to form a 250–350 µm film. A forced-air post-cure of 15–30 min at 100–130°C is sometimes applied to reduce retained volatiles. Finished terminal parts include mixer paddles, canning line guide rails, screw conveyor flights, hopper liners, and food chute components. The operational boundary is that continuous service above 100°C in high-fat environments may require migration testing according to the specific food simulant prescribed in EU Regulation 10/2011; published data for this specific blue-pigmented configuration is limited beyond the general polyamide-11 resin clearance.
When the powder is compounded into polypropylene, thermoplastic olefin, or dynamically vulcanized elastomer matrices as a surface modifier, the particle remains largely unmeted if the matrix melt temperature is held below 185°C, thereby creating a micron-scale texture that reduces gloss and improves tactile slip. Mechanical compliance is established under ISO 178:2019 flexural testing, ASTM D638-14 tensile testing, and ISO 6603-2:2023 puncture impact. The addition ratio is 3–15 wt% in polypropylene compounds and 5–12 wt% in TPE/TPV formulations. Compounding is performed on a co-rotating twin-screw extruder with L/D 40:1, a barrel profile of 170–220°C, and side-feeding of the PA11 powder downstream to limit residence time; screw speed is held at 300–500 min⁻¹. The compound is subsequently injection molded at 800–1500 kN clamp force with injection pressures of 60–90 MPa and mold temperatures of 20–40°C. Terminal finished types include soft-touch automotive interior panels, appliance control knobs, personal care packaging, and shoe sole inserts. The operational boundary is that the PA11 powder must be pre-dried to below 0.2% moisture before side-feeding because hydrolysis at discontinuous melt zones produces surface voids; simultaneous use with amine-based antistatic additives can cause discoloration and should be evaluated in pre-production trials.
In cosmetic manufacturing, the same particle-level attributes—low density, smooth spherical morphology, and polyamide-11 chemical identity—are used to create dry, non-greasy skin feel and to reduce the stickiness of oil-phase binders. The applicable regulatory framework is EU Cosmetic Regulation 1223/2009, with the INCI designation Polyamide-11 and natural origin index assessment conducted under ISO 16128-1 and ISO 16128-2. Addition ratios range from 0.5–5 wt% in emulsions and gels to 5–25 wt% in anhydrous pressed and loose powder systems. Processing begins with dry blending of the PA11 powder with pigments and fillers in a cyclone or double-cone mixer at 25–30°C; for emulsion products, the powder is dispersed into the oil phase with a high-shear rotor-stator mixer at 25–35°C for 10–20 min before homogenization. Pressed powders are compacted at 40–80 bar. Terminal finished types include loose face powders, pressed powder foundations, powder-to-cream blushes, body powders, and dry-touch sun care sticks. The limitation is that prolonged aqueous storage above 45°C or exposure to formulations with pH above 9 can hydrolyze the polyamide-11 surface and shift sensory performance; compatibility testing in the final emulsion is therefore required before scale-up.
Selective laser sintering of PA11 uses the same base chemistry but requires a narrower particle size distribution and more rigorous moisture control than electrostatic spray grades. Process terminology and documentation are aligned with ISO/ASTM 52900:2021, while mechanical validation is conducted under ISO 527-1:2019 tensile testing and ISO 178:2019 flexural testing. The powder is loaded as a single-component bed; if flowability is insufficient under humid plant conditions, 0.05–0.2 wt% fumed silica is dry-blended. A refresh ratio of 30–50 wt% virgin powder is maintained to stabilize crystallinity and powder-bed density. Production-scale equipment parameters typically include a build chamber preheat of 170–190°C, a layer thickness of 0.10–0.15 mm, laser power of 18–30 W, scan speed of 5–12 m/s, and nitrogen atmosphere with oxygen below 1.5%. After the build, parts are cooled in a controlled chamber at 50–70°C for 6–12 h before depowdering. Terminal finished types include functional brackets, hinges, ducting, orthotic shells, and custom mounting fixtures. The operational boundary is that powder aged above 180°C can undergo molecular weight increase and yellowing, while moisture above 0.1% in the powder bed generates porosity and surface roughness; published numerical ranges across all SLS machine vendors remain equipment-specific and should be verified on the target build platform.
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Arkema Rilsan Fine Powders ES BLUE 2117 MAC PA11 is a thermoplastic polyamide 11 (PA11) coating powder supplied as a fine, pigmented material for electrostatic spray and fluidised-bed deposition on metallic substrates. The polymer backbone is synthesised from 11-aminoundecanoic acid obtained from castor oil, giving the grade a semicrystalline melting peak normally recorded between 183 °C and 186 °C when analysed by differential scanning calorimetry in accordance with ISO 11357-3. The unfused powder density typically falls between 1.03 g/cm³ and 1.05 g/cm³ under ISO 1183-1. Because the product is a fine powder, application behaviour is controlled less by tensile elongation than by particle size distribution, tribostatic charge acceptance, moisture content, and the rheology of the molten film during coalescence. Published data for this specific configuration is limited; the values above are representative of the unmodified PA11 fine powder family and should be confirmed against the lot certificate.
Storage and handling constraints follow from the hygroscopic character of the amide group. Moisture absorbed on the particle surface acts as a charge leakage pathway in electrostatic deposition and can generate pinholes or bubbles when the powder is fused. If the material has been exposed to relative humidity above 60%, pre-drying for 4–6 h at 80 °C in a dehumidified oven is advised; the powder should then be re-screened through a sieve appropriate to the application equipment. Free-flow and transfer efficiency are also affected by the fraction retained on a 100 µm sieve. In electrostatic spray operations, coarse oversize above 100 µm should be monitored because it reduces wrap-around on recessed geometries and increases the tendency for Faraday-cage deposition defects. The exact particle size distribution for ES BLUE 2117 MAC must be verified from the certificate of analysis; published data for this specific configuration is limited.
At the resin level, PA11 differs from PA12 in melting point, density, water uptake, and monomer source. The melting peak of PA11 is approximately 8–10 °C higher than the 172–178 °C range typical of PA12, which allows PA11 coatings to retain modulus at elevated service temperatures near 120–140 °C, although both materials soften well below the melting peak. PA12 has a slightly lower density and slightly lower 24-h water absorption than PA11, but PA11 remains markedly less hygroscopic than PA6 or PA66. The blue grade adds a pigmentation system and a fine-particle size classification designated by the MAC suffix; the pigment particle size and dispersion state influence gloss and colour stability more strongly than the base resin values. The following table provides comparative data for the unpigmented base polymers.
| Property | PA11 typical (base resin) | PA12 typical | Test method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting peak | 183–186 °C | 172–178 °C | ISO 11357-3 |
| Density at 23 °C | 1.03–1.05 g/cm³ | 1.01–1.02 g/cm³ | ISO 1183-1 |
| Water absorption, 24 h at 23 °C | 0.30% | 0.25% | ISO 62 |
| Flexural modulus, dry, 23 °C | 1,200–1,500 MPa | 1,100–1,400 MPa | ISO 178 |
| Elongation at break, dry, 23 °C | 200–300% | 200–300% | ISO 527-2 |
Electrostatic spray deposition of ES BLUE 2117 MAC is nonetheless a process that must be matched to the powder’s charge acceptance and to the thermal mass of the part. The powder is typically applied with corona guns operated between 40 kV and 80 kV or with tribo guns supplied with compressed air at a dew point below -30 °C. The substrate should be free of mill scale, welding flux, and organic contamination; zinc phosphatising or fine-grit blasting to Sa 2½ in accordance with ISO 8501-1 is commonly used to anchor the fused film. After powder application, residual heat from the preheated part or a post-heat station completes coalescence. Film thickness in the range of 250–350 µm is common where corrosion protection is the primary function, while decorative interior parts may be coated as low as 80–120 µm if smoothness rather than long-term barrier performance is the controlling requirement. The optimal line parameters must be derived from part geometry and thermal mass; parts with thin walls may reach the required fusion temperature quickly but cool below the crystalline solidification point before complete levelling, producing a sandy appearance that cannot be corrected without reheating.
Fluidised-bed immersion requires a preheated metal substrate. Industrial fluidised-bed lines for PA11 powders often preheat steel to 250–350 °C and control immersion time between 2 s and 8 s depending on substrate thickness and target deposit mass. The ES designation is associated with electrostatic spray grades, but the material may also be used in fluidised-bed equipment if the bed moisture content and particle size distribution are maintained within the supplier’s recommended limits. The MAC suffix identifies a controlled fine-particle product variant within the Arkema range; its exact particle size parameters and additive package should be confirmed from the technical data sheet before setting cyclone recovery airflow or gun set points.
Polyamide 11 does not undergo crosslinking during film formation; the term curing is therefore used only to describe the completion of molecular diffusion, levelling, and solidification from the melt. The processing window is bounded at the lower end by the crystallisation temperature, which for PA11 is often near 155–160 °C, and at the upper end by oxidative degradation that accelerates above 300 °C. Thermogravimetric analysis under nitrogen at 10 °C/min according to ISO 11358-1 shows the onset of main-chain decomposition near 400 °C, but long residence times in air at temperatures above 300 °C can produce yellowing of the blue pigment, chain scission, and reduced impact resistance. Because the blue pigmentation absorbs more radiant heat than an unpigmented PA11 deposit, infrared oven settings should be reduced compared with natural or white grades when coating large flat surfaces. The risk of under-fusion is equally significant: if the deposit is removed from the oven before the polymer has fully crystallised and the interface has interdiffused with the primer or substrate, impact adhesion and flexibility measured by ISO 1519 or ASTM D2794 will be lower than expected. It is therefore necessary to validate the thermal profile with a through-the-film thermocouple on the production line rather than rely solely on oven air temperature.
The melt rheology of PA11 coating powders is shear-thinning; at the typical fusion temperature of 200–220 °C, the low-shear viscosity is high enough to prevent sag on vertical surfaces, while the shear imposed during part withdrawal or airflow promotes levelling. Exact capillary or parallel-plate rheometry data for ES BLUE 2117 MAC should be obtained from Arkema because pigment and additive loading can shift viscosity by 10–30% relative to the unpigmented resin. Compounding of pigmented PA11 fine powders is generally performed on twin-screw extruders with L/D ratios of 40:1 or greater, followed by cryogenic grinding and sieving. Batch-to-batch variance in the grinding zone can shift the particle size distribution toward fines if the classifier is not purged, and accumulated fines reduce first-pass transfer efficiency in electrostatic spray. Production-scale recovery systems should therefore include fine-particle purging or classifier maintenance intervals designed for the pigment loading of the grade.
Fused films of ES BLUE 2117 MAC are used in environments requiring resistance to aliphatic hydrocarbons, salt solutions, and abrasion, including automotive fluid lines, pump housings, and metal furniture. Salt spray performance under ISO 9227 NSS on zinc-phosphated steel at 250–350 µm film thickness frequently remains free of red rust for 1,000 h, although the presence of pinholes or surface contamination will reduce this value. The coating resists diesel, gasoline, and many oils at ambient temperature, but continuous contact with concentrated organic acids, phenols, formic acid, or oxidising acids such as nitric acid above 40 °C can degrade the polyamide chain. Compatibility with aqueous salt solutions is generally good at temperatures up to 60 °C; above this point, hydrolysis of the amide bond becomes kinetically significant over long exposure. For potable water contact, certification of the final coating must be obtained because pigments and processing aids may migrate independently of the PA11 base resin.
The unmodified PA11 polymer is generally recognised for food contact under FDA 21 CFR 177.1500, but the finished ES BLUE 2117 MAC powder and its applied film are subject to separate compliance verification covering pigments, additives, and residual monomers. Under the European framework, the final coating must meet overall migration limits specified in Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, which is not established by the resin alone. For industrial use in the European Union, a REACH registration under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 is required for the substance or mixture; users must confirm that the grade is covered by Arkema’s registration dossier and that the safety data sheet reflects the current classification. The RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU restricts lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, PBB, and PBDE in electrical and electronic equipment; many pigmented polymer powders are tested against the maximum concentration values in Annex II, but a lot-specific test report is required if the coated part falls within the scope of RoHS.
| Area | Applicable standard or regulation | Verification required |
|---|---|---|
| Food contact polymer base | FDA 21 CFR 177.1500 | Base resin listing, migration testing on final coating |
| EU food contact | Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 | Overall and specific migration limits for pigments and additives |
| REACH registration | Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 | Registration number on safety data sheet, SVHC declaration |
| RoHS | Directive 2011/65/EU Annex II | Lot-specific XRF or chemical digestion for restricted elements |
Compared with the wider Rilsan Fine Powders range, ES BLUE 2117 MAC is distinguished primarily by the blue pigmentation and the MAC classification, which implies a controlled particle size distribution and additive package for electrostatic application. It should not be substituted into a line calibrated for a natural or white powder without re-qualification of gun settings, recovery cyclone airflow, and oven profile, because pigments do not simply colour the powder; they alter triboelectric charging, melt viscosity, and thermal absorption. In particular, organic blue pigments may reduce the electrical surface resistivity of the dry powder and require lower corona voltage or higher tribo airflow to maintain the same transfer efficiency. Users converting from a PA12 powder should re-evaluate the preheat temperature upward by approximately 8–12 °C to compensate for the higher PA11 melting peak and should check that the existing phosphate or primer layer can tolerate the higher thermal load. Published data for this specific configuration is limited, so a production trial with film cross-sections, impact testing, and salt spray evaluation is the only reliable method for qualifying the material on a closed-loop coating line.
