| HS Code | 162170 |
| Density | 1.01 g/cm³ |
| Tensile Modulus | 300 MPa |
| Tensile Strength | 25 MPa |
| Elongation At Break | 300% |
| Flexural Modulus | 280 MPa |
| Charpy Impact Strength | No Break |
| Melting Point | 178 °C |
| Heat Deflection Temperature At 0 45 Mpa | 50 °C |
| Water Absorption At Saturation | 0.7% |
| Moisture Absorption At 50 Rh | 0.3% |
| Volume Resistivity | 1.0E+12 Ohm·cm |
| Dielectric Strength | 30 kV/mm |
As an accredited EMS-Grivory Grilamid L 20A Z Nylon 12, Conditioned factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Available in 25 kg sealed bags, this conditioned nylon 12 resin is supplied as moisture-controlled pellets, ready for processing. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | Load 20′ FCL with Grilamid L 20A Z Nylon 12 (conditioned) using dry, ventilated, palletized packaging to avoid moisture damage. |
| Shipping | Ship EMS-Grivory Grilamid L 20A Z Nylon 12, Conditioned in sealed moisture-barrier bags or drums to protect against humidity. Keep containers upright, dry, and away from heat or direct sunlight. Standard ground freight is suitable; avoid excess moisture exposure during transit. Ensure proper labeling and safe handling per manufacturer guidelines. |
| Storage | Store Grilamid L 20A Z in its original, tightly sealed container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and excessive humidity. Protect pellets from moisture absorption by keeping packaging sealed until use. Recommended storage temperature is below 30°C. After opening, reseal promptly and avoid prolonged storage to maintain performance. |
| Shelf Life | Shelf life is indefinite when stored dry, cool, and sealed in original packaging, away from direct sunlight and moisture. |
In heavy-duty truck and trailer air brake circuits, conditioned Grilamid L 20 A Z Nylon 12 is processed as monolayer tube stock where cold impact after moisture uptake, zinc chloride resistance, and dimensional stability at service pressures of 8–10 bar are the controlling variables. The applicable performance specification is SAE J844, which defines thermoplastic tubing for nonmetallic air brake systems and includes cold-temperature impact at -40 °C, long-term heat aging, tensile elongation after hot oil exposure, and zinc chloride crack resistance. European homologation commonly references ISO 7628-1:2010 for dimensional classes and marking and DIN 74324-1 for polyamide compressed-air tubing. The feed formulation is 100.0 wt% Grilamid L 20 A Z conditioned, with a UV-stabilized carbon black masterbatch metered at 2.0–3.0 wt% through a gravimetric side feeder. Regrind generated from conditioned start-up tube is limited to 20 wt% and is pre-dried with virgin resin to below 0.10% moisture before the extruder throat. Extrusion runs on a single-screw extruder with L/D 24:1–30:1 and a compression ratio of 2.8:1–3.2:1; the barrel profile from feed to metering zone is 210–245 °C, melt temperature at the melt pump inlet is held at 230–250 °C, and the die head is set at 240–255 °C. Sizing uses a closed-loop vacuum tank with -0.5 to -0.8 bar internal pressure and water temperature of 15–25 °C. Finished products are 6–16 mm outside-diameter air brake tubing supplied in cut lengths or 100–500 m coils, as well as pre-formed harness assemblies for trailer ABS modulators. The processing boundary is melt temperature: sustained operation above 260 °C for more than 10 min produces viscosity loss, surface sharkskin, and gel specks. Start-up with moisture above 0.12% results in hydrolysis-related bubbles and reduced burst pressure. SAE J844 test parts must be conditioned at 23 °C and 50% RH for a minimum of 48 h before destructive testing to avoid dry-as-extruded brittleness being mistaken for field performance.
In gasoline vapor return and evaporative emission plumbing, conditioned PA12 functions as the structural outer layer in co-extruded multi-layer constructions rather than as the hydrocarbon barrier layer. The low-temperature toughness after 50% RH conditioning reduces the tendency of rigid polyamide inner layers to crack during cold assembly but requires distinct viscosity management across the die stack. The governing compliance anchor is SAE J2260 for nonmetallic fuel system tubing, with evaporative emission limits originating from EPA 40 CFR Part 86 and CARB LEV III hydrocarbon permeation budgets. The component itself is validated by external leak tests and fuel compatibility immersion under SAE J2260. The wall architecture uses 65–75 wt% Grilamid L 20 A Z conditioned as the outer jacket, 8–15 wt% ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer as the permeation barrier, 5–10 wt% maleic anhydride-grafted polyolefin tie resin on each side of the barrier, and 8–15 wt% conductive inner polyamide or modified polyamide to provide electrostatic dissipation. Co-extrusion is performed on a five-layer spiral mandrel die fed by extruders with 25:1–30:1 L/D. The PA12 outer layer is maintained at 230–250 °C, while the EVOH extruder is limited to 190–220 °C to avoid thermal degradation and gel formation that creates interfacial instability at the tie layer. Vacuum calibration uses -0.4 to -0.7 bar, and post-extrusion conditioning in a humidity chamber at 23 °C and 50% RH for 24–72 h brings the outer layer to the specified impact state. Terminal products include fuel vapor return lines, evaporative emission canister tubing, and quick-connect fuel system outer jackets in diameters from 8–25 mm. Operational limitations include continuous exposure to methanol blends above 15 vol% without specific fuel compatibility testing. Molecular degradation at the PA12 outer layer accelerates if melt residence time exceeds 12 min at 260 °C. Published data for this specific five-layer structural configuration is limited; extrusion parameters should be verified with the barrier and tie-layer suppliers before production.
In unbonded flexible pipe outer sheath extrusion, the equilibrium moisture content of conditioned PA12 at 23 °C and 50% RH shifts the apparent shear viscosity curve downward relative to dry resin, which changes the pressure consumption across a long crosshead die when the melt is pulled over a steel carcass or tensile armor wire. Processors compensate by lowering melt temperature 5–10 °C and increasing screw speed rather than raising barrel temperature. Qualification for offshore use falls under API Spec 17J and ISO 13628-2 for unbonded flexible pipe, supplemented by ISO 13628-5 for control umbilical tubing and project-specific polymer sheath acceptance tests covering low-temperature elongation, abrasion, and hydrostatic compression set. The sheath compound is formulated at 100 wt% Grilamid L 20 A Z conditioned, with a carbon black/UV masterbatch added at 2.0–3.5 wt% for black outer surfaces. No plasticizer or impact modifier is introduced because the conditioned moisture state and PA12 homopolymer provide the required -20 °C ductility. Sheath extrusion uses a barrier screw extruder with L/D 30:1, a melt pump, and a crosshead die designed for annular gaps of 1.2–1.8 times the final wall thickness. Melt temperature is held at 225–245 °C, and the outer sheath is cooled in stages to prevent shrinkage voids over irregular carcass geometry. Vacuum calibration is replaced by pressure rolling and water spray cooling when the sheath is applied over unbonded armor layers. Terminals are outer sheath layers on dynamic risers, static flowlines, and subsea control umbilical bundles with outer diameters from 50–300 mm. The operational boundary is continuous hot-wet service above 70 °C, where hydrolysis resistance of PA12 can be reduced by acidic sour-fluid exposure; for higher-temperature or highly sour service, PA11 or PVDF sheaths should be evaluated under ISO 23936-1. Published data for this specific conditioned PA12 grade in sour multi-phase service is limited; end-user qualification testing is mandatory.
Flexible cable protection conduit used in rail vehicles, mining equipment, and heavy machinery is selected against IEC 61386-1:2008 and the applicable IEC 61386-21/-22/-23 part for conduit classification. Conditioned PA12 is applied where cold-impact toughness after moisture equilibrium at 50% RH takes precedence over continuous high-temperature load. The compound is normally dry-blended as 100 wt% Grilamid L 20 A Z conditioned with 2.0–4.0 wt% UV-stabilized carbon black masterbatch and 0.1–0.3 wt% processing aid. No additional impact modifier is needed because the conditioned state raises Charpy notched impact compared with dry-as-molded PA12 under ISO 179-1/1eA, but filler loadings above 5 wt% should be avoided to preserve -40 °C ductility. Corrugated conduit is produced on a single-screw extruder with L/D 25:1–30:1 and a corrugator block system. The melt exits the die at 220–245 °C, is drawn into moving mold blocks under vacuum of -0.5 to -0.8 bar, and is cooled with water at 10–20 °C. Post-extrusion conditioning at 23 °C and 50% RH for 48 h is required before cold-impact testing because dry conduit can fail solely due to insufficient moisture uptake. Finished products include slit and unslit polyamide corrugated conduit, conduit fittings, and cable glands in nominal diameters from 10–54 mm. Compliance is completed by RoHS 2011/65/EU recast and REACH SVHC declarations from the resin supplier. The critical limitation is flammability: unfilled PA12 does not meet UL 94 V-0 at typical wall thicknesses and should not be specified for cable protection inside passenger rail interiors without a separate flame-retardant system that will lower conditioned impact performance. For such installations, low-smoke zero-halogen polyamide or PA12 compounds with specific halogen-free FR packages require separate validation under EN 45545-2.
Compressed air control lines operating at 10–16 bar in automated assembly cells require polyamide tubing that resists permanent set after repeated bending, cold fracture during winter plant commissioning, and hydraulic fluid spray from adjacent actuators. Conditioned Grilamid L 20 A Z is extruded into monolayer tubes where the equilibrium moisture content after 50% RH exposure provides the ductility needed for push-to-connect fitting retention. The system-level standard is ISO 4414:2010 for pneumatic fluid power safety, while the tubing itself is specified under DIN 74324-1 for dimensions, working pressure ratings, and burst pressure at 23 °C and 60 °C. The feed stream is 100 wt% conditioned PA12, with color masterbatch at 1.0–3.0 wt% and in-house regrind limited to 15 wt% after moisture analysis below 0.08%. Processing uses a single-screw extruder with L/D 24:1–28:1 and a straight polyamide screw with a compression ratio of 2.5:1–3.0:1. Barrel temperatures are set in a rising profile of 220–245 °C from feed to metering zone, with the die at 240–250 °C. Melt temperature is verified at 230–245 °C, and wall thickness is controlled by a laser micrometer loop maintaining ±0.05 mm tolerance on diameters up to 16 mm. The tubing is drawn at a controlled ratio of 1.05:1–1.15:1 before cooling to prevent sink marks, then conditioned in a humidity chamber for 24 h at 23 °C and 50% RH before ring-stiffness and burst testing. Terminal products are 4–16 mm outside-diameter pneumatic control lines, bundled multi-tube assemblies, and formed harnesses for robotic end-of-arm tooling. The operational boundary is continuous exposure above 80 °C with superimposed bending stress, where creep rupture becomes the design-limiting mode rather than low-temperature impact. For -40 °C dynamic flexing, fittings must be qualified separately because fitting retention is influenced by tube ovality and moisture-induced diameter growth of 0.5–1.0% after conditioning.
During crosshead extrusion of a polyester-braided hydraulic hose, the inner liner made from conditioned Grilamid L 20 A Z Nylon 12 is heated just enough to bond to the outer polyurethane cover without melting the braid interstices. The target state is a liner with 50% RH moisture conditioning only after final hose assembly, not during extrusion, because wet liner material produces steam splay at the crosshead die and reduces adhesion to the braid. The assembly is validated against SAE J517 for 100R8 thermoplastic hydraulic hose, which includes impulse testing at 100% rated working pressure, oil compatibility, and minimum bend radius requirements. Additional compliance for the European market often cites EN 854 for textile-reinforced hose only when the hose construction falls within that scope. The formulation places 100 wt% Grilamid L 20 A Z conditioned in the inner liner, with polyester braid reinforcement occupying 35–45 vol% of the total wall volume and a polyurethane outer cover at 25–35 wt% of the total wall thickness. Extrusion of the liner uses a crosshead die over a mandrel or internal air pressure system, with melt temperature 230–245 °C, a screw L/D of 24:1–28:1, and cooling water at 20–30 °C to preserve concentricity before braiding. After braiding, the cover is applied by a second crosshead extruder, and the hose is post-cured at 70–90 °C for 2–4 h to develop interlayer adhesion. Terminal products are medium-pressure thermoplastic hydraulic hoses for mobile equipment, construction machinery, and high-pressure washdown lines, with working pressures governed by the diameter-specific tables in SAE J517 100R8. The processing limitation is that the liner must be dried to below 0.10% moisture before extrusion despite the conditioned designation; otherwise hydrolysis creates microvoids that fail the impulse test. For continuous service above 82 °C with phosphate ester hydraulic fluids, compatibility testing under ISO 6072 is required before substituting this PA12 liner into existing hose assemblies.
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EMS-Grivory Grilamid L 20 A Z Nylon 12, conditioned, is a semi-crystalline unreinforced polyamide 12 injection-moulding grade. The “conditioned” designation refers to testing and reference data after equilibration at 23 °C and 50 % relative humidity according to ISO 291, rather than a chemically modified polymer backbone. Moisture absorbed under these conditions acts as a plasticizer, reducing stiffness and increasing ductility compared with dry-as-moulded specimens. Supplier-published data place the dry tensile modulus in the range of 1,400–1,600 MPa, while the conditioned tensile modulus falls to 700–1,100 MPa when tested according to ISO 527-1/-2. Density is approximately 1.01 g/cm³ under ISO 1183. The lower density and lower equilibrium water uptake differentiate this material from PA6 and PA66 grades used in comparable snap-fit and housing components.
The grade is used in cable clips, cable ties, snap-fit housings, pneumatic connectors, low-voltage connector bodies, and fluid-contact parts. The conditioning effect is reversible: re-drying at 80 °C to residual moisture below 0.10 % returns mechanical properties toward dry-state values. Field data from multi-cavity injection-moulding lines show that conditioned specimens exhibit fewer gate-area fractures during ejection than dry-as-moulded polyamide 12 when mould temperatures are held between 40 °C and 80 °C. Lower moisture uptake also limits dimensional drift after installation in humid service environments.
Moisture absorption in polyamide 12 follows diffusion-controlled uptake until saturation is approached. Absorbed water competes with interchain hydrogen bonding, increasing free volume and segmental mobility. The observable result is a controlled reduction in tensile stiffness. Yield stress decreases from roughly 42–45 MPa dry to 38–40 MPa conditioned, while elongation at break remains above 50 %. Notched Charpy impact energy determined by ISO 179/1eA rises from 6–8 kJ/m² dry to 10 kJ/m² or a no-break result at 23 °C. The table below summarises representative values.
| Property | Standard | Dry-moulded reference | Conditioned at 23 °C/50 % RH |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | ISO 1183 | 1.01 g/cm³ | 1.01 g/cm³ |
| Water content | ISO 15512 | ≤ 0.10 % | 0.5–0.7 % |
| Tensile modulus | ISO 527-1/-2 | 1,400–1,600 MPa | 700–1,100 MPa |
| Yield stress | ISO 527-1/-2 | 42–45 MPa | 38–40 MPa |
| Elongation at break | ISO 527-1/-2 | ≥ 50 % | ≥ 50 % |
| Notched Charpy impact, 23 °C | ISO 179/1eA | 6–8 kJ/m² | 10 kJ/m² or no break |
Before melt processing, granulate moisture must be verified with a calibrated hygrometer. Processing guides for unreinforced PA12 specify a maximum residual moisture of 0.10 %. Exceeding this threshold increases the risk of hydrolytic chain scission, melt viscosity shift, and surface splay. Dehumidifying drying at 80 °C for 4–8 h is standard. In central drying systems with a shared desiccant bed, the dew point should be held below -30 °C to achieve the target residual moisture within the stated drying time.
Barrel set points typically range from 220 °C at the feed throat to 250 °C at the nozzle. Mould temperature should be maintained between 40 °C and 80 °C. Typical injection pressure is 600–1,000 bar, holding pressure 300–600 bar, and back pressure 30–80 bar. On general-purpose screws with 20:1–25:1 L/D and 2.5:1–3.0:1 compression ratio, screw surface speed is usually limited to 0.1–0.3 m/s. For multi-cavity tools, the melt cushion should be held at 3–6 mm. Production-scale trials on hot-runner systems may require temperature trim of ±10 °C at individual drops to balance flow length and prevent cavity-to-cavity variation.
On a 120-ton hydraulic injection-moulding machine fitted with a 24 mm barrier screw, trials on Grilamid L 20 A Z have shown that a melt temperature of 235 °C and mould temperature of 60 °C produce stable cushion and reduced gate-stringing compared with melt temperatures below 220 °C. At melt temperatures above 260 °C, surface gloss increases but nozzle drool can appear after 15 min of cycle interruption. These observations align with the rheology of unreinforced PA12: viscosity is sensitive to both moisture and temperature, and solidification is slower in cold moulds, which can produce sink marks opposite ribs thicker than 2 mm.
The principal difference between Grilamid L 20 A Z and glass- or mineral-reinforced PA12 grades is the absence of reinforcing filler, which yields lower stiffness but higher elongation. The difference versus PA6 and PA66 is with the aliphatic segment length between amide groups; PA12 has approximately one amide group per 12 backbone carbon atoms, whereas PA6 and PA66 have one amide group per 6 carbon atoms. This reduces equilibrium water uptake and density. Table 2 compares general values.
| Polymer | Density (ISO 1183) | Water saturation (ISO 62) | Melting peak (ISO 11357-3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PA12, unreinforced | 1.01 g/cm³ | 1.5 % | 176–180 °C |
| PA6, unreinforced | 1.13–1.14 g/cm³ | 9.5 % | 220–225 °C |
| PA66, unreinforced | 1.13–1.14 g/cm³ | 8.5 % | 260–265 °C |
Lower water uptake limits reversible dimensional change when parts move between dry indoor air and saturated air. A 2 mm-thick PA6 moulding can expand by 0.5–0.7 % in length after water saturation; an equivalent PA12 moulding typically expands by less than 0.2 %. This difference is relevant for gear housings, electrical enclosures, and pneumatic bodies where post-moulding dimensions are inspected after conditioning. Linear mould shrinkage of Grilamid L 20 A Z measured according to ISO 294-4 is typically 0.7–1.0 % in flow direction and 0.8–1.1 % transverse to flow for 2 mm plaques, depending on gate orientation and mould temperature.
Because PA12 absorbs less water than PA6 or PA66, its dielectric properties are more stable in humid conditions. Volume resistivity determined by IEC 62631-3-1 for conditioned unreinforced PA12 is typically in the range 10¹⁰–10¹² Ω·m at 23 °C; dielectric strength per IEC 60243-1 is often above 20 kV/mm for 2 mm specimens. This stability supports use in low-voltage connector bodies where leakage current must remain controlled across seasonal humidity variation. Published data for this specific grade configuration is limited; final qualifying measurements on production parts should be performed under the intended service atmosphere.
Pneumatic quick connectors and snap-fit cable clips use the conditioned ductility of this material. In production-scale assembly, beam-type snap fits with cross-sections of 2–3 mm and undercut depths of 0.5–1.0 mm show lower fracture rates when moulded parts are conditioned before insertion. The failure mode shifts from brittle cracking at the gate to ductile yielding, visible as stress whitening in the outer fibre. This improvement is lost if parts are dried below 0.05 % moisture immediately before assembly. Assembly areas with relative humidity below 30 % should therefore monitor part moisture or use closed bins with humidistat control.
Conditioned PA12 retains a sub-ambient glass transition; absorbed water lowers the glass transition further. Instrumented impact tests according to ISO 6603-2 at -30 °C can show ductile failure morphology for unreinforced PA12, whereas unreinforced PA66 often shows brittle cracking. Notched Charpy impact values for conditioned PA12 at -30 °C are frequently reported above 10 kJ/m², while dry-moulded standard PA66 can fall below 5 kJ/m². This distinction supports material substitution in exterior cable clips, snow-handling equipment, and pneumatic fittings used in cold-storage or outdoor service.
The low-temperature impact advantage is not without limits. If cyclic loading at -40 °C occurs at high strain rates, the material may still fail in a brittle manner when the notch radius is below 0.25 mm. Design practices should avoid sharp transitions at gate vestiges and maintain a radius of at least 0.5 mm in snap-fit roots. Published data for this specific configuration is limited; verification testing on production parts under ISO 179-1 and ISO 6603-2 is required for sub-zero compliance.
In hydrocarbon contact, PA12 grades generally show high retention of tensile properties after immersion in aliphatic hydrocarbons, oils, and greases. Standard screening follows ISO 1817 using reference fluids at 23 °C for 168 h. Retention of tensile strength above 80 % is typical for aliphatic solvents, but aromatic solvents, strong acids, and oxidizing media can degrade the backbone. Service above 60 °C in contact with strong protic acids or high-concentration hydrogen peroxide should be avoided unless prior immersion testing confirms compatibility. The material is not recommended for continuous immersion in hot water above 80 °C, as hydrolysis accelerates and the plasticizing effect of absorbed water becomes non-uniform through thick sections.
