| HS Code | 829407 |
| Product | EMS-Grivory Grilamid LKN-5H PA12-GB50 |
| Density | 1.43 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 178 °C |
| Tensile Modulus | 3000 MPa |
| Tensile Strength | 50 MPa |
| Elongation At Break | 10% |
| Charpy Notched Impact Strength | 4 kJ/m² |
| Hdt A 1 8 Mpa | 70 °C |
| Hdt B 0 45 Mpa | 110 °C |
| Water Absorption At Saturation | 1.4% |
| Moisture Absorption Normal | 0.2% |
| Glass Bead Content | 50% |
As an accredited EMS-Grivory Grilamid® LKN-5H PA12-GB50 factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | EMS-Grivory Grilamid® LKN-5H PA12-GB50 is supplied as dry, ready-to-use pellets in sealed, moisture-proof 25 kg bags. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | 20′ FCL of EMS-Grivory Grilamid® LKN-5H PA12-GB50, palletized bags securely loaded, container sealed for safe transport. |
| Shipping | EMS-Grivory Grilamid® LKN-5H PA12-GB50 is a glass-bead-reinforced polyamide resin supplied as moisture-sensitive granules. Ship in sealed, dry packaging (bags or drums) to prevent water absorption. Avoid excessive heat and humidity during transit. Non-hazardous per regulations, but handle with standard industrial hygiene practices and protect from physical damage. |
| Storage | Store Grilamid® LKN-5H PA12-GB50 in its original, tightly sealed container in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area. Protect from direct sunlight, moisture, and heat sources to prevent hydrolysis and property degradation. Ideal temperature range is 20–30°C. Use within the manufacturer’s shelf life to ensure optimal performance. |
| Shelf Life | For Grilamid® LKN-5H PA12-GB50, shelf life is indefinite when stored dry, sealed, and protected from direct sunlight and heat. |
In automotive fuel vapour return and evaporative emission circuits, EMS-Grivory Grilamid® LKN-5H PA12-GB50 is specified for quick-connector latch bodies, retainer clips and pressure-sensing port housings where continuous contact with gasoline, ethanol-blended fuel and road salt is expected. The 50 wt% glass bead loading is the defining formulation variable: it reduces anisotropic shrinkage relative to short-glass-fibre polyamide grades, allowing split-ring retention features to maintain roundness after ejection and after fuel swell. According to supplier datasheet values, density is approximately 1.44 g/cm³ per ISO 1183, and dry-as-moulded tensile modulus is reported in the range of 3,000–3,500 MPa under ISO 527-1/-2. Fuel contact dimensional change is assessed by immersion in ASTM Reference Fuel C at 60 °C for 168 h, followed by dimensional measurement per ISO 175. The compound requires dehumidifying hopper drying to a moisture content below 0.10%; typical equipment is set to 80 °C with a dew point of -30 °C or lower for 4–8 h depending on silo residence time. Injection barrel set points between 230 °C and 250 °C are used, with mould temperature between 40 °C and 80 °C to reduce premature freeze-off at the gate. The high glass-bead content is abrasive on screw flights and check rings; nitrided or bimetallic barrels and hardened screw tips are specified on production equipment with 25:1 L/D or longer. Regrind of fuel-contact components is typically limited to 20% by weight and must be dried with virgin material to avoid hydrolysis-induced surface splay. Terminal products are quick connectors that must meet functional insertion and pull-out requirements under SAE J2044-type test conditions, while fuel permeation is governed by the system layer design rather than the connector body alone.
Pneumatic valve bodies and pressure-regulator manifolds machined from unfilled PA12 or acetal often fail flatness audits because anisotropic shrinkage introduces dish distortion. The use of Grilamid LKN-5H PA12-GB50 transfers the flatness burden to the injection mould, although the 50 wt% bead content creates a different bottleneck: gate freeze time and packing pressure transmission. On a production-scale 120-ton hydraulic injection press with a 32 mm metering screw, cavity pressure sensors show that glass-bead-filled PA12 exhibits a shorter effective packing window than unfilled PA12 because the higher thermal conductivity of the filler accelerates gate solidification. Moulders therefore raise mould temperatures toward 80 °C and increase gate thickness to at least 1.5 mm for a nominal wall of 2.0 mm; smaller gates produce sink marks at the seal land and create leak paths under 8–10 bar actuation air pressure. Melt temperature is retained below 260 °C because prolonged residence above this threshold accelerates oxidative yellowing despite heat stabilization. The recommended pre-drying condition is 80 °C for 4–6 h to 0.10% moisture; high hopper residence can strip surface moisture from recycled flake and increase static charge. Product geometry includes O-ring seal grooves and threaded port bosses where the isotropic shrinkage of bead-filled polyamide is exploited to keep groove diameters within ±0.1 mm after conditioning at 70 °C and 50% RH. Compliance for compressed air components is established through ISO 8573-1 cleanroom-compatible assemblies, and material compatibility with synthetic ester compressor oils is tested by volume change after immersion per ISO 175. Final parts are pressure-tested at 1.5 times maximum working pressure and leak-checked by pressure decay; the low moisture uptake of PA12 relative to PA66 maintains dimensional stability through seasonal humidity swings.
| Segment | Pre-drying | Melt temperature | Mould temperature | Minimum gate thickness | Back pressure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel quick connectors | 80 °C for 4–8 h to 0.10% | 230–250 °C | 40–80 °C | 1.5 mm | 3–7 bar |
| Pneumatic valve housings | 80 °C for 4–6 h to 0.10% | 240–260 °C | 60–80 °C | 1.5 mm | 3–5 bar |
| Electrical enclosures | 80 °C for 4–6 h | 230–250 °C | 60–80 °C | 1.2 mm | 2–5 bar |
| Hydronic manifolds | 80 °C for 4–8 h to 0.10% | 230–250 °C | 40–60 °C | 1.5–2.0 mm | 3–7 bar |
Specified in multi-cavity electrical enclosure production for industrial photoelectric sensor heads and outdoor metering modules, Grilamid LKN-5H is moulded as a single-material shell that must maintain a flat sealing face and consistent screw boss alignment without annealing. The 50 wt% glass bead content provides near-isotropic shrinkage, which reduces twist and bow in rectangular housings compared to short-glass-fibre PA66. Electrical performance relevant to low-voltage compartments is measured under IEC 62631-3-1 for dielectric constant and under IEC 60112 for comparative tracking index; however, published values for this specific glass-bead configuration should be verified on production-thickness plaques because CTI is surface-limited and filler-rich skins may differ from the core. The grade absorbs less moisture than PA66 at 23 °C and 50% RH; conditioned moisture uptake for PA12-GB50 is typically below 0.7% by weight, which limits post-mould drift in snap-fit retention. Moulders use warmed moulds at 60–80 °C to improve surface replication of fine ribs and to reduce visible bead pullout at the melt front. Gate design for these housings favours fan gates or tab gates with a minimum thickness of 1.2 mm; pinpoint gates create local bead-rich skins and produce micro-voids that lower dielectric strength. Production-scale experience on 80-ton electric injection machines shows that holding pressure must be maintained until the gate is sealed, otherwise flatness over a 120 mm seal face can drift by 0.3 mm after 48 h. Terminal components are assembled with elastomeric seal cord and stainless screws; thread bosses are designed with 0.5–0.7 mm radial interference to avoid cracking during screw insertion.
Hydronic heating and cooling manifolds use Grilamid LKN-5H for impeller housings, vent valve bodies and distribution rail end caps where continuous exposure to 50:50 ethylene glycol-water at 80 °C is combined with internal pressure pulses. The material offers hydrolysis resistance typical of PA12, but the 50 wt% glass beads reduce the irreversible thickness swell that would otherwise loosen threaded joints and change port alignment. Ageing exposure is conducted in accordance with ISO 175 at 80 °C in inhibited glycol for 1,000 h; dimensional change after test is recorded before and after 24 h reconditioning at 23 °C and 50% RH. Short-term data should not be extrapolated directly to long-term applications because glycol ageing produces non-Fickian absorption behaviour in the interfacial region between bead and matrix; published peer-reviewed data for PA12 bead compounds indicate that surface-coupled glass beads reduce extractable hydrolysis products, but the exact additive package of LKN-5H must be verified with the supplier. Tool design uses 0.5° draft on the housing bore and polished core pins to reduce extraction scuffing. Screw and barrel wear is severe in production runs above 100,000 cycles; nitrided feedscrews with tungsten carbide check rings are specified as minimum on 25 mm or larger plasticating units. For melt delivery, hot runner systems without dead spots are preferred because the compound can degrade if residence time exceeds 10 minutes at 250 °C. The terminal hydronic parts are traced to EN 60335-1 insulation coordination and pressure test protocols, but not to potable water approvals unless additional national formulations have been certified.
Outdoor telecommunication enclosure latch brackets and microwave backhaul antenna clips are moulded from black-pigmented Grilamid LKN-5H where the specification demands dimensional stability after solar heating and mechanical function after repeated snap engagement. Black pigmentation is not a substitute for a full UV stabilizer package; the base grade is heat-stabilized, and suppliers typically recommend weathering validation using ISO 4892-2 with a cycle of 0.50 W/m² at 340 nm and black-panel temperature 65 °C for parts intended for multi-year outdoor exposure. The 50 wt% glass bead filler increases surface hardness but also creates micro-scale bead protrusion at the textured surface; mould texturing depths below 25 µm are not used because bead pullout during ejection creates gloss variation and potential crack initiation at snap-fit roots. Injection moulding temperatures follow the same 230–250 °C barrel profile, but mould temperature is held at 80 °C to minimise skin stress. In production-scale 60-ton electric machines, gate location under the latch base rather than at the snap arm is used to prevent a weld line along the bending axis; parts gated at the snap arm exhibited a 30–40% reduction in flexural strain at break in internal tests. The terminal bracket assembly is torque-tested with stainless hardware to 4–6 N·m depending on insert depth; brass threaded inserts are preferred over heat-staked threads because the glass bead content lowers post-mould heating efficiency and increases risk of local matrix degradation during staking.
Optical sensor chassis components that previously used die-cast aluminium are converted to Grilamid LKN-5H when weight reduction and corrosion resistance justify the switch, but the conversion fails if flatness is specified by machining tolerances rather than as-moulded dimensional capability. The bead-filled PA12 can hold an as-moulded flatness of 0.2 mm over a 150 mm reference plane only when the tool design compensates for mass imbalance and when the part is ejected with minimal sub-surface shear stress. Glass bead orientation in the near-surface layer produces a lower thermal expansion coefficient in the flow direction and a higher coefficient in the cross-flow direction; the difference is less than that of short-fibre PA66 but must still be evaluated by ISO 11359-2 on plaques taken from both longitudinal and transverse locations. Optical chassis parts with registration pins and lens bore positions are measured after conditioning per ISO 1110 to detect post-mould movement. The injection moulding process uses a colder mould at 40–60 °C for faster dimensional stabilization, but the low mould temperature is paired with a slow injection profile to avoid jetting and to allow the melt front to advance as a uniform bead-filled continuum. Screw back pressure is kept low, between 3 and 7 bar hydraulic, because excessive back pressure increases melt temperature and bead attrition at the check ring. Terminal chassis components are tested for total outgassing in optical assemblies using ECSS-Q-ST-70-02 vacuum outgassing procedures where required; published data for this specific PA12-GB50 grade is limited, so acceptance testing on finished parts is mandatory.
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EMS-Grivory Grilamid® LKN-5H is classified under ISO 1043-1 as PA12-GB50, a heat-stabilized polyamide 12 injection moulding compound containing 50% by weight spherical glass-bead filler. The grade is supplied as compounded pellets in natural, black and custom-colour formulations for technical parts requiring low moisture uptake, reduced post-mould warpage and predictable shrinkage. In the manufacturer’s product line, the GB50 designation distinguishes the glass-bead mass fraction from unfilled, mineral-reinforced and short-glass-reinforced polyamide 12 grades. The H suffix identifies heat stabilization. Regulatory documentation from the supplier includes a REACH EC 1907/2006 registration statement and a RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU material declaration; specific SVHC content must be checked against the current safety data sheet.
The dry-state mechanical profile of LKN-5H is dominated by the high spherical filler loading. Glass beads raise the tensile modulus and dimensional stability of the PA12 matrix but limit ductility and weld-line strength. Because the beads do not align with flow as strongly as glass fibres, the filler geometry produces quasi-isotropic shrinkage and lower warpage in multi-gated housings. This difference is measurable in annular or box-like parts with multiple gates, where short-glass compounds often exhibit anisotropic shrink and deformation after cooling.
Supplier-published nominal data for Grilamid® LKN-5H natural in the dry-as-moulded state are summarised below. The bands represent engineering values from publicly available technical literature and should not replace lot-specific certificates of analysis. All values refer to 23 °C unless otherwise specified.
| Property | Test method | Nominal dry value |
|---|---|---|
| Density | ISO 1183-1 | 1.43–1.47 g/cm³ |
| Tensile modulus | ISO 527-1/-2 | 1.8–2.2 GPa |
| Tensile stress at break | ISO 527-1/-2 | 35–45 MPa |
| Nominal strain at break | ISO 527-1/-2 | 10–20% |
| Charpy notched impact, 23 °C | ISO 179-1/1eA | 3–6 kJ/m² |
| Heat deflection temperature, 1.8 MPa | ISO 75-1/-2 | 65–80 °C |
| Water absorption, saturation | ISO 62 | 1.0–1.3 wt% |
| Melt volume-flow rate, 275 °C/5 kg | ISO 1133-1 | 8–15 cm³/10 min |
The 1.8–2.2 GPa modulus range places LKN-5H above unfilled PA12 but below most short-glass PA12 and PA66 compounds with comparable filler mass fraction. The notched Charpy value in the 3–6 kJ/m² band is characteristic of high spherical filler loading: the beads interrupt crack propagation but do not provide the fibre pull-out energy dissipation observed in short-glass compounds. Flammability classification in supplier documentation is typically UL 94 HB at 1.6 mm thickness; the grade does not contain flame-retardant modification and must not be treated as a V-rated compound.
Conditioning at 23 °C and 50% RH to equilibrium shifts the tensile modulus downward and raises impact readings because absorbed water plasticises the amorphous phase of the PA12 matrix. The conditioned shift is smaller than in PA6 and PA66 because PA12 absorbs less water under equivalent standardized conditions. Electrical property data for this specific glass-bead-filled configuration are limited; qualification to IEC 60243-1 dielectric strength and IEC 60112 comparative tracking index is required for live-part applications. The dispersed inorganic phase may lower volume resistivity relative to unfilled PA12; therefore, the unfilled resin electrical data cannot be transferred directly to LKN-5H.
In humid service, dimensional change is governed by saturation moisture content and the coefficient of hygroscopic expansion. A PA12-GB50 component stabilising to 1.0–1.3 wt% water in ISO 62 saturation tests exhibits less swelling than a PA66-GB50 counterpart, which can absorb several weight percent moisture. This difference influences fit clearances in snap-fit assemblies exposed to condensate or road splash. The supplier’s shrinkage data for LKN-5H are commonly reported in the 0.7–1.1% flow-direction and 0.8–1.2% transverse band; published data for this specific configuration is limited, and pre-production tool trials on a 600–1,500 kN injection machine are standard practice to confirm gate freeze and warpage on multi-cavity housings.
Melt processing begins with desiccant drying at 80 °C for 4–8 h to a residual moisture target below 0.10 wt%. Storage of opened containers in ambient relative humidity above 60% RH requires re-drying. Surface moisture causes splay and intermittently high melt viscosity during plastification. PA12 is less hygroscopic than PA6 and PA66, but moisture resides in the polymer matrix and at the filler interface. On production lines with desiccant dryers, a dew point below −30 °C is used to maintain moisture stability over multi-hour runs.
On a reciprocating screw injection machine, the recommended melt temperature for LKN-5H falls in the 230–275 °C band, with a tool temperature between 40 °C and 80 °C. The lower tool-temperature limit supports cycle efficiency in wall sections above 2 mm; the upper limit improves weld-line strength and reduces internal stress at the gate. Screw geometry with a low-compression ratio between 2.0:1 and 2.5:1 is preferred because the glass beads increase melt viscosity and require low shear heating. The screw, non-return valve and barrel should be wear protected with bimetallic or nitride-treated surfaces; glass-bead filler is abrasive compared with unfilled polyamide.
Hot-runner processing requires manifold and nozzle temperatures below 280 °C and melt residence times under 8 min to limit thermal degradation and yellowing. Gate diameters below 1.0 mm are not recommended for this filler because spherical beads can bridge at the gate land and create pressure fluctuations. A heated sprue bushing with a free-flow diameter of at least 1.5 mm is common in production tools. On fully automatic lines, glass-bead-filled PA12 can increase screw torque by approximately 10–20% compared with unfilled PA12 at the same throughput, depending on screw diameter and bead size distribution. Monitoring of MVR shift and notched Charpy distribution is more reliable than visual pellet inspection for detecting screw wear.
Regrind use for PA12-GB50 is possible but should be validated through ISO 527-1/-2 tensile and ISO 179-1/1eA notched impact testing. The addition of regrind above 25% may reduce notched impact and increase batch-to-batch MVR variation because of filler-matrix separation during offline recycling. The maximum regrind fraction is usually specified in the supplier’s processing guide. The narrow processing conflict between adequate drying and thermal degradation is managed through low-dew-point drying and hot-runner residence-time control; melt temperatures above 285 °C can produce visible yellowing and molecular weight loss even if the moisture target is met.
Substitution of a 30% or 50% short-glass PA12 or PA66 grade with LKN-5H is generally driven by warpage, surface appearance or chemical resistance, not by maximum load-bearing capacity. Short-glass reinforcement provides higher tensile stress at break and notched impact because the fibre aspect ratio transfers stress over longer distances. In contrast, LKN-5H trades tensile strength for quasi-isotropic shrinkage and a smoother surface. This is relevant in circular snap-fit connector shells, where ovality must remain below assembly tolerance after cooling. Weld-line strength is also lower in bead-filled systems because bead-matrix adhesion does not bridge the weld interface as fibre entanglement does.
Compared with a PA66-GB50 benchmark, LKN-5H has lower density, lower heat deflection temperature and lower dry tensile modulus. Density of LKN-5H is approximately 1.44 g/cm³, whereas PA66-GB50 materials typically range from 1.52–1.58 g/cm³. Under ISO 62 saturation, the PA12 system remains in the 1.0–1.3 wt% moisture band, while PA66-GB50 can reach 5–8 wt% water at saturation. This shift produces greater dimensional change and a larger drop in glass-transition-related properties in PA66-GB50. The PA12 matrix also provides resistance to aliphatic hydrocarbons, oils and dilute salt solutions, which is relevant in automotive underbonnet and chassis locations.
Against unfilled PA12, LKN-5H raises tensile modulus from approximately 1.4 GPa to the 1.8–2.2 GPa band and reduces mould shrinkage from the typical unfilled range of 1.0–1.4% to the 0.7–1.1% flow-direction band. The addition of glass beads lowers elongation at break and notched impact; designers must avoid thin living hinges or snap arms that depend on high strain at break. Bead-filled PA12 is therefore selected for dimensionally stable housings rather than for energy-absorbing clips. For low-temperature service below −40 °C, notched impact of bead-filled PA12 is lower than plasticised PA12 flexible grades, and supplier low-temperature data should be used for validation.
Documented application areas in supplier literature include low-warpage pump and valve housings, pneumatic and fuel-vapour connectors, sensor brackets, electrical connector shells and circuit-breaker components. In automotive fluid connectors, the PA12 matrix provides resistance to aliphatic fuels, oils and dilute salt solutions; the glass beads control the flatness of mating faces after hot conditioning. In electrical connectors, low moisture absorption preserves contact pin position under humidity cycling; however, published data for this specific configuration is limited for high-voltage creepage loads. Qualification to IEC 60112 and clearance design to IEC 60664-1 are required before use in uninsulated live-part environments.
Operational limitations include continuous exposure to strong mineral acids and oxidizing media at elevated temperature, which degrade the PA12 chain. The material is not recommended for sustained hot-water service above its heat deflection temperature under 1.8 MPa, because the combination of heat, stress and water absorption reduces creep resistance. Filler-matrix adhesion is controlled by an organosilane size on the glass-bead surface; over-shearing in a worn screw can destroy the sizing layer and lower notched impact before visible degradation occurs. Production audits therefore monitor screw and barrel wear through ISO 1133-1 MVR shifts and ISO 179-1/1eA Charpy impact distribution rather than visual pellet quality alone.
