| HS Code | 730647 |
| Density | 1.00 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 178 °C |
| Tensile Modulus | 500 MPa |
| Tensile Yield Stress | 35 MPa |
| Elongation At Break | 300% |
| Charpy Impact Strength 23 C | No break |
| Charpy Notched Impact Strength 30 C | 10 kJ/m² |
| Heat Deflection Temperature 1 80 Mpa | 45 °C |
| Shore D Hardness | 55 |
| Water Absorption 24h 23 C | 0.4% |
As an accredited EMS-Grivory Grilamid® L 20 W 20 PA12 factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Supplied in 25 kg sealed moisture-proof bags, preserving Grilamid® L 20 W 20 PA12 pellets’ quality and dry condition. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | 20′ FCL: Palletized bags of Grilamid® L 20 W 20 PA12, secured and ventilated, ensuring safe, dry transport. |
| Shipping | Ship as non-hazardous polymer granules in sealed moisture-resistant bags or containers. Protect from humidity, heat, and direct sunlight. Avoid prolonged storage above 40°C. No special transport restrictions; standard dry freight is suitable. Ensure packaging remains intact to prevent contamination and moisture uptake. |
| Storage | Store Grilamid® L 20 W 20 PA12 in a cool, dry place in its original, tightly sealed container away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and moisture. Prevent exposure to humidity, which can affect performance. Maintain consistent ambient temperature, avoid condensation, and keep the material clean to ensure optimal processing and stability. |
| Shelf Life | Store dry, cool, and in original sealed packaging. Shelf life is approximately two years from delivery. |
Heavy-duty truck and trailer air brake circuits typically use continuous polyamide tube coils with outside diameters from 6 mm to 16 mm and wall thicknesses from 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm. Grilamid L 20 W 20 is metered as a finished compound rather than as a masterbatch, with virgin pellet addition at 100 phr and clean in-line regrind limited to 15 phr where the regrind fraction has not exceeded 3 heat histories; post-industrial regrind beyond the third pass is excluded because oxidative chain scission and plasticizer loss reduce elongation at break below the SAE J844 low-temperature flexure thresholds. Industry compliance is anchored to SAE J844:2019, ISO 7628-1:2010, and DIN 73378, with batch release testing typically including tensile strength and elongation per ISO 527-2, low-temperature impact at -40°C per ISO 7628, and zinc chloride resistance for road-salt exposure. Downstream conversion employs a single-screw extruder with a grooved feed section, L/D ratio 24:1 to 30:1, compression ratio 2.5:1 to 3.0:1, screw speed 20–80 rpm, melt pressure 8–20 MPa, and melt temperature 220–245°C. Pellets are pre-dried at 80°C for 4–8 h in a desiccant dryer with a dew point of -30°C to residual moisture below 0.10% whenever storage has exceeded 60% relative humidity. The tube is sized through a vacuum calibration tank with closed-loop ultrasonic wall-thickness feedback, maintaining outside diameter tolerance of ±0.05 mm; the water quench temperature is kept between 15°C and 30°C, with an air gap of 2–4 m between die face and water surface to stabilize crystallinity before quenching. Production-scale failure modes observed on such lines include die drool when dryer dew point drifts above -20°C, tube ovality when vacuum calibration pressure fluctuates more than 20%, and dimensional drift on spooled coils if the water quench retains the tube above 30°C. Terminal product types include coiled air brake tubing, straight lengths, pre-cut tube sections with abrasion-resistant coextruded jackets, and tube ends cut square for push-to-connect fittings; typical service conditions are continuous pressurized air at 0.7–1.0 MPa with intermittent pressure spikes to 1.5 MPa, provided wall thickness follows the pressure-temperature derating schedules in ISO 7628. Processing above 260°C must be avoided because plasticizer decomposition causes die drips and surface pitting; the compound is not recommended for direct contact with concentrated zinc chloride solutions above 50°C for extended cycles, despite its resistance to road-salt splash.
In coextruded fuel vapor return lines, Grilamid L 20 W 20 is used as a flexible polyamide layer at a layer distribution of 15–25 vol% of total wall thickness. The main delamination risk after methanol-blended gasoline exposure arises not from PA12 swelling alone but from residual moisture and regrind-derived low-molecular-weight fractions accumulating at the tie-layer interface. The addition ratio for the polyamide layer is 100 parts virgin Grilamid L 20 W 20; clean polyamide regrind may be added only to the non-contact outer polyamide layer at 5 wt% maximum, never to the innermost fuel-contact layer, because ester-based plasticizers and heat-history degradation products lower weld-line strength and raise permeation. Compliance is evaluated under CARB LEV III evaporative emission limits, SAE J1681 and SAE J1737 hydrocarbon permeation test protocols, and dimensional stability after immersion in fuel test fluids according to ISO 175. The production process uses a 5–6 layer coextrusion head fed by separate extruders; the PA12 outer or sub-layer is processed at melt temperature 220–240°C, the tie resin at 210–230°C, the barrier resin at 205–215°C, and the coextrusion die at 225–245°C. Vacuum corrugators apply a blow ratio of 1.2:1–2.0:1 for convoluted vent tube; smooth tubes are vacuum sized with a pressure drop below 50 mbar in the first calibration sleeve. Pellet drying before coextrusion is critical: 80°C for 4–6 h, residual moisture below 0.10%, because water vapor at the melt interface hydrolyzes tie-layer adhesion. Terminal finished product types include corrugated fuel tank vent tubes, EVAP vapor return hose assemblies, carbon canister interconnects, and quick-connect fittings. Published data for this specific plasticized PA12 grade in methanol-blended gasoline containment is limited; commercial validation requires permeation testing on the finished multilayer assembly, since the barrier layer, not the PA12 layer, controls the absolute permeation rate.
Flexible pneumatic control lines made from Grilamid L 20 W 20 are typically extruded in outside diameters from 4 mm to 12 mm and wall thicknesses from 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm. The formulation addition ratio for certified production is 100% virgin compound; clean start-up regrind is limited to 10 wt% and must pass the same burst-pressure and dimensional stability tests required for virgin material. System compliance is reviewed under ISO 4414:2010 for pneumatic fluid power safety and ISO 14743 for push-in fitting compatibility; compressed air quality is specified at class 4 per ISO 8573-1:2010 for most industrial lines, with oil-mist resistance verified by ISO 1817 immersion in mineral oil at 60°C for 72 h. The production process uses a single-screw extruder with a four-zone barrel profile set at 200/220/230/235°C, adapter at 235°C, and die at 230–240°C; melt temperature measured at the die entry remains between 225°C and 245°C. Pre-drying is carried out at 80°C for 4 h to residual moisture below 0.10%. Inline ultrasonic wall-thickness measurement and a closed-loop vacuum sizing tank maintain eccentricity below 0.05 mm; extrusion line speed is normally 5–30 m/min depending on diameter and wall thickness. Terminal finished products include polyamide pneumatic tube coils, spiral-coiled assemblies, color-coded control lines for packaging machinery, and tube harnesses with push-in fittings. Operating boundaries include continuous service temperatures from -40°C to 90°C in dry air, with derating above 60°C under continuous load; polar solvents and glycol-based compressor condensate should be avoided because plasticizer extraction can embrittle the tube surface.
Cable management components such as high-retention cable ties, fir-tree harness clips, and convoluted conduit clips are injection molded from Grilamid L 20 W 20 as a 100% virgin feed; sprues and runners are returned as regrind at up to 20 wt% for industrial cable ties, but automotive under-hood clips and railway harness clips restrict regrind to 0–10 wt% because notched impact retention at -30°C to -40°C is sensitive to heat-history degradation. Compliance for electrical and electronic applications is established through UL 94 HB or V-2 depending on tie geometry, RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU, and REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 substance declarations, with mechanical release testing per ISO 527-2, flexural modulus per ISO 178, and Charpy notched impact per ISO 179-1/1eA at -30°C. The injection molding process uses a reciprocating-screw machine with clamp force from 500 kN to 2,500 kN, barrel temperatures 210–240°C, nozzle temperature 235°C, mold temperature 40–60°C, injection speed set to fill the cavity in 0.5–2.0 s, holding pressure 60–80 MPa, back pressure 0.5–1.0 MPa, and screw decompression 2–5 mm. Pre-drying at 80°C for 4–6 h to moisture content below 0.10% prevents splay and weak knit lines at the locking head and strap junction. Terminal products include adjustable nylon cable ties, cable clamp straps, harness clips, conduit retention clips, and strain-relief bushings. Mold design must account for PA12 shrinkage of approximately 1.0–1.5% parallel to flow and 1.2–1.8% perpendicular; published data for this specific grade should be taken from the EMS processing datasheet for exact shrinkage and pressure-specific pvT behavior.
Flexible chemical transfer hose assemblies handling hydrocarbon fuels, mineral oils, and mild chemical media can be built with a smooth extruded PA12 liner made from Grilamid L 20 W 20, a braided or spiral-wrapped polyester or aramid reinforcement layer, and an abrasion-resistant PA12 or polyurethane cover. The liner is processed at 100 phr virgin compound; reprocessed liner scrap is excluded from the innermost layer because pinholes and contaminant inclusions create permeation paths, while 10 phr clean reprocessed Grilamid L 20 W 20 may be allocated to the outer cover if the finished assembly passes EN 12115 adhesion and burst requirements. Compliance is evaluated under EN 12115:2011 for liquid or gaseous chemical hose assemblies, with hydrostatic pressure testing at 1.5× the rated working pressure, electrical continuity testing for dissipative constructions, and chemical resistance immersion per ISO 175:2010 in the target media at 40°C and 60°C. The liner extrusion process uses a vacuum-vented single-screw extruder with melt temperature 225–245°C, screen pack pressure drop below 8 MPa, and a water quench at 15–25°C; the liner is dried at 80°C for 4–6 h before extrusion. Textile reinforcement is applied at controlled tension with braid angles between 50° and 55° relative to the hose axis to balance burst strength and bend radius; the cover is then extruded at 220–240°C with vacuum applied between liner and cover to reduce void formation. Terminal finished products include low-temperature fuel delivery hose assemblies, mineral oil return lines, and flexible chemical transfer hoses for non-oxidizing media. Operational boundaries are explicit: continuous immersion in strong acids, ester-based hydraulic fluids, or polar solvents at temperatures above 60°C is not recommended because plasticizer extraction and solvent-induced stress cracking can reduce elongation at break; validation under ISO 175 must be performed for each specific chemical mixture.
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EMS-Grivory Grilamid® L 20 W 20 is a plasticized, heat-stabilized polyamide 12 (PA12) injection-moulding and extrusion grade. The designation L identifies the semicrystalline laurolactam-based PA12 backbone, while the W 20 notation indicates a plasticizer-modified composition in the manufacturer nomenclature; the exact plasticizer chemistry is proprietary. Manufacturer datasheet values list a density of 1.01–1.02 g/cm³ (ISO 1183-1), a melting peak at 176 °C (ISO 11357-3), and a melt volume-flow rate of 20 cm³/10 min at 275 °C/5 kg (ISO 1133-1). Saturated water absorption in water at 23 °C is approximately 1.1–1.3% (ISO 62), lower than the 9–10% typical of PA6. The plasticizer lowers dry-as-moulded tensile modulus to about 500 MPa (ISO 527-1/2) and Shore D hardness to 55–60 (ISO 868), while notched Charpy impact testing at 23 °C frequently reports no break (ISO 179-1/1eA). The plasticizer system also broadens and shifts the glass-transition region of the PA12 backbone; unplasticized PA12 typically shows a glass transition near 40–50 °C by dynamic mechanical analysis (ISO 6721-1), whereas the modified grade displays a lower loss-modulus peak that supports non-brittle behaviour at −30 °C.
Hydrolytic degradation and plasticizer volatilization set the practical upper temperature boundary. The pellets must be dried to a residual moisture content not exceeding 0.1% (ISO 15512) before melt processing. Desiccant drying at 80 °C for 4–6 h is used when storage RH exceeds 50%. On injection-moulding machines with a general-purpose screw of L/D 20:1 to 25:1, the feed zone is set to 200–210 °C, the compression zone to 220–230 °C, and the nozzle to 235–245 °C. Mould temperature is held at 40–80 °C to control crystallization rate and part ejection. Melt residence time should remain below 10 min; longer exposure produces yellowing and a measurable loss of elongation at break when retested per ISO 527-1/2. Screw back-pressure is typically set between 50 bar and 100 bar, and injection speed is profiled to avoid jetting in thin-wall sections. On production-scale multi-cavity tools, cavity pressures are typically in the range of 300–500 bar; clamp force is calculated from projected area and cavity pressure rather than selected from the grade designation alone.
For extrusion of tubing and cable conduits, single-screw extruders with L/D 25:1 to 30:1 and a three-zone screw having compression ratio 2.5:1 to 3.0:1 are applied. Barrel temperatures typically rise from 200 °C at the feed throat to 235 °C at the head. Vacuum calibration in a water bath at 20–40 °C stabilizes outer diameter and wall thickness. Production line records show that short calibration tanks and haul-off speeds above 50 m/min can produce ovality in thin-wall conduit unless the melt temperature is reduced toward the lower end of the specified range. Melt filtration through 80–120 mesh screen packs is used to remove gel particles and raise wall-thickness consistency in cable sheathing. The crystallization temperature on cooling at 10 K/min is routinely observed near 150–160 °C (ISO 11357-3), which permits short cooling times. However, plasticized PA12 can exhibit post-mould shrinkage as the plasticizer redistributes; parts should be dimensionally checked after 24 h at 23 °C/50% RH before final acceptance.
The automotive tube-application scenario begins without a labelling header because the polymer architecture dominates part behaviour. The low water absorption of PA12 limits hygroscopic swelling in coolant and air ducts; dimensional change after saturation is approximately 0.5–1.0% in linear dimension according to ISO 62 conditioning. Low-temperature assembly is supported by non-brittle notched Charpy behaviour at −30 °C under ISO 179-1/1eA, although the actual value depends on specimen moisture and notch preparation. Fuel-vapour permeation performance of PA12 is controlled by the semicrystalline backbone; comparative permeation data generated under ISO 15105-1 show lower hydrocarbon transport than PA6 or PBT of equivalent wall thickness, but published data for this specific plasticized configuration are limited at pressures above 2 bar.
In flexible conduit for cable management, the design advantage is the combination of a tensile modulus near 500 MPa and a continuous operating temperature capability up to 90 °C in dry conditions. Bending radius is calculated from outer diameter and allowable outer-fibre strain, using a maximum long-term outer-fibre strain of 2% to avoid stress-cracking in the presence of zinc chloride road-salt solutions. Immersion tests per ISO 175 in 5% zinc chloride at 23 °C show limited weight gain for PA12, but heavily plasticized grades may develop surface hazing over extended exposure. Cable conduits assembled with snap-fit connectors benefit from the combination of low moisture uptake and a coefficient of linear thermal expansion in the range 1.2–1.5 × 10−4 K−1 (ISO 11359-2).
The table summarizes typical dry-as-moulded values assembled from manufacturer technical datasheets and relevant ISO methods. Conditioned values are excluded because water uptake acts as an additional plasticizer and obscures the comparison of polymer backbone effects.
| Property | Test method | Grilamid L 20 W 20 | Unplasticized PA12 | PA6 (dry) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Density | ISO 1183-1 | 1.01–1.02 g/cm³ | 1.01 g/cm³ | 1.13–1.14 g/cm³ |
| Tensile modulus | ISO 527-1/2 | 500 MPa | 1,400–1,600 MPa | 2,800–3,200 MPa |
| Shore D hardness | ISO 868 | 55–60 | 75–80 | 78–82 |
| Water absorption at saturation, 23 °C | ISO 62 | 1.1–1.3% | 1.2–1.5% | 9–10% |
| Melting peak | ISO 11357-3 | 176 °C | 176 °C | 220 °C |
The roughly three-fold lower tensile modulus relative to unplasticized PA12 is the controlling design difference for snap-fit arms, flexible conduit, and tubing bend radii. Against PA6, the PA12 backbone reduces saturated moisture uptake by approximately 85% relative to dry PA6, which limits hygroscopic expansion and loss of stiffness in humid service. Against thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers of equivalent Shore D hardness, the PA12 grade has a higher melting transition and more uniform semicrystalline shrinkage behaviour, but lower ultimate elongation and higher melt-processing temperature; published comparative data for TPU at exact Shore D values are limited.
Substitution of PA6 by plasticized PA12 changes drying logistics, tool shrink factors, and long-term heat-ageing limits. PA6 requires drying to 0.1% residual moisture and absorbs 9–10% water at saturation per ISO 62, causing a modulus drop that can exceed 40% from dry to conditioned. In contrast, L 20 W 20 absorbs 1.1–1.3% water, limiting the stiffness shift to a smaller range and stabilising the fit of snap-fit and push-fit connectors. Mould shrinkage for L 20 W 20 is typically 0.8–1.2% parallel and 1.0–1.4% perpendicular to flow (ISO 294-4); tooling designed for PA6-grade shrinkage must be recut or retested because the orientation and lower crystallinity of plasticized PA12 produce different anisotropic contraction.
The melting peak of PA6 near 220 °C permits higher continuous heat exposure than L 20 W 20. The plasticized PA12 grade is not recommended for continuous dry-air service above 100 °C. Long-term heat-ageing studies conducted per ISO 188 show that plasticizer volatility and oxidative embrittlement reduce elongation at break more rapidly than in unplasticized PA12, with the rate controlled by air velocity, specimen thickness, and stabilizer package. For coolant-system components, continuous exposure to glycol-water mixtures at 90 °C is a more realistic upper boundary; seals and clips should be tested under pressure and thermal cycling rather than only static immersion.
Production-scale cold-runner injection moulding of L 20 W 20 in multi-cavity tools shows lower injection-pressure demand than rigid PA12 or PA6 because of the reduced melt viscosity. However, weld-line zones in parts with converging flow fronts can exhibit tensile strength below 70% of the unwelded bulk value when mould temperature is below 40 °C; raising mould temperature to 60–80 °C and relocating gates to place weld lines in low-stress regions improves weld-line integrity. Gate diameter should be at least 60% of the local part wall thickness to prevent premature freeze-off. The material is chemically resistant to dilute aqueous solutions, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and glycol-based coolants, but immersion tests per ISO 175 demonstrate severe swelling or dissolution in concentrated formic acid, phenol, and cresol. Contact with low-molecular-weight esters and certain PVC plastisols can extract the plasticizer over time and stiffen the component; compatibility testing under service temperature and mechanical load is therefore required before substitution in chemical-intensive industrial environments.
