| HS Code | 736117 |
| Density | 1.01 g/cm³ |
| Tensile Strength At Yield | 55 MPa |
| Elongation At Break | >50% |
| Tensile Modulus | 1800 MPa |
| Charpy Impact Strength | No break at 23°C |
| Charpy Notched Impact Strength | 15 kJ/m² |
| Shore Hardness | 78 Shore D |
| Melting Point | 178 °C |
| Glass Transition Temperature | 155 °C |
| Maximum Continuous Service Temperature | 90 °C |
| Water Absorption At Saturation | 1.5% |
| Light Transmittance | 90% |
| Refractive Index | 1.507 |
As an accredited GEHR Plastics PA 12 TR Transparent Nylon 12 factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Supplied as transparent nylon 12 granules in sealed 25 kg moisture-resistant bags, preserving clarity and preventing contamination. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | 20′ FCL: PA 12 TR transparent nylon 12 loaded in drums/bags on pallets, secured, containerized for safe transport. |
| Shipping | GEHR Plastics PA 12 TR Transparent Nylon 12 ships as a non-hazardous thermoplastic resin. Pack in sealed, moisture-resistant containers to prevent water absorption. Avoid prolonged exposure to heat or humidity during transit. Standard ground or air freight is acceptable; no special hazmat labeling required, though keep away from ignition sources. |
| Storage | Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and open flames. Keep the original container tightly sealed to prevent moisture absorption, which can affect properties. Avoid contact with strong oxidizers. No special temperature control is generally required, but protect from prolonged UV exposure. |
| Shelf Life | Shelf life is typically 5 years when stored in original, sealed packaging in a cool, dry place away from UV light. |
Machined fluid-management components produced from 20 mm to 40 mm PA 12 TR rod stock are used for transparent luer lock hubs, stopcock bodies, multi-port manifolds, and filter holder windows in medical device prototypes and low-volume production. The starting material is conditioned at 23°C and 50% relative humidity before machining; if the workshop relative humidity exceeds 60%, pre-drying is performed at 80°C for 4 h and the stock is kept in sealed polyethylene until setup. Incoming rod stock is inspected for density according to ISO 1183 and haze according to ASTM D1003; a yellowness shift above 2 units from the retained reference is rejected because it remains visible through 10 mm wall sections. CNC turning and milling operations use polished carbide inserts with positive rake angles between 8° and 15°, clearance angles from 6° to 8°, feed rates from 0.08 mm/rev to 0.20 mm/rev, and depth of cut between 0.25 mm and 0.50 mm. A neutral-pH water-based coolant is diluted to 5% (v/v) with deionized water; chlorinated cutting fluids are excluded because residual chlorine can promote surface yellowing and increase extractable matter under USP <88> biological reactivity testing. After machining, parts are cleaned in 0.5% (w/w) nonionic detergent solution at 40°C for 15 min, rinsed with 60°C deionized water, and dried in filtered air at 70°C for 2 h. Surface finish is controlled to Ra ≤ 0.8 µm on all fluid-contact walls because rougher surfaces retain detergent and increase endotoxin recovery. Dimensional acceptance uses projected luer taper measurements per ISO 80369-7:2016; lucent areas are inspected for haze and transmitted light uniformity according to ASTM D1003 or ISO 13468-2.
Terminal sterilization creates a measurable transparency conflict. Gamma irradiation at 25 kGy induces less haze than autoclaving for this copolyamide, but doses above 40 kGy may produce a perceptible yellow shift and a reduction in notched impact resistance; the color shift is usually recorded as ΔE greater than 2 under ISO 7724-2 when the pre-sterilization baseline is included. If color-critical, ethylene oxide or electron-beam sterilization at 25 kGy to 40 kGy should be evaluated, with post-sterilization outgassing of ethylene oxide residual monomer validated according to ISO 10993-7:2008. Steam sterilization at 121°C for 15 min is accepted for limited cycle counts; repeated autoclaving above 134°C should be validated because the amide backbone undergoes hydrolysis that may reduce molecular weight and tensile strength. Published data for this specific stock configuration is limited; therefore production lots should be tested for tensile strength retention after 20 steam cycles per ISO 527-2. The low water absorption of transparent nylon 12, typically below 0.7% after 24 h in 23°C water under ISO 62, preserves luer taper dimensions during high-humidity storage better than many transparent amorphous nylons. Terminal devices include anesthesia stopcock manifolds, luer-to-barb adapters, sample port bodies, and transparent filter housing caps.
| Application zone | Regulatory basis | Test method / clause | Typical test condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical fluid-contact components | ISO 10993-1:2018 | ISO 10993-5:2009 cytotoxicity | Extract in MEM at 37°C for 24 h |
| Medical fluid-contact components | USP <88> | Systemic injection and intracutaneous tests | 0.9% NaCl extract at 50°C for 72 h |
| Food-contact components | EU Regulation (EU) 10/2011 | EN 1186-1 overall migration | Simulant A 10% ethanol at 40°C for 10 days; Simulant D2 olive oil at 40°C for 10 days |
| Food-contact components | FDA 21 CFR 177.1500 | Nylon resins listing | End-use food type and temperature restrictions per applicable FCN |
In dairy whey separation lines and beverage filling systems, transparent level sight tubes, sanitary filter bowl windows, and inspection plates are machined from PA 12 TR sheet in thicknesses from 5 mm to 20 mm. Food-contact compliance is assessed under EU Regulation (EU) 10/2011 using EN 1186-1 overall migration testing and under FDA 21 CFR 177.1500 for nylon resins, subject to the specified food type and end-use temperature limits in the applicable food contact notification. Typical clean-in-place cycles use 1.0% (w/v) sodium hydroxide at 80°C for 20 min, followed by potable water rinsing and a sanitizing rinse of 0.2% (v/v) peracetic acid at 20°C for 10 min. The low water absorption of PA 12 TR, with published ISO 62 24 h uptake values typically below 0.7% at 23°C, limits the dimensional shift of gasket seats during wet-dry cycling that causes tightening torque changes in multi-bolt window assemblies. Food-contact machining does not use sulfurized or chlorinated extreme-pressure cutting oils; dry machining with compressed air or a food-grade mineral oil emulsion at 3% (v/v) in water minimizes migration risks. After stock removal, the parts are annealed at 80°C for 2 h per 25 mm thickness to relieve internal stress, then polished with a non-shedding nylon-compatible buffing compound to a haze value below 2% by ASTM D1003. EPDM or silicone gaskets are used in assembly; acetal and polyphenylene sulfide inserts are avoided because they can release formaldehyde or sulfide by-products under hot alkaline CIP conditions. Terminal products include milk separator sight glasses, juice filler level tubes, product inspection windows, and transparent flow plates in sanitary manifolds.
Chemical metering skids and fuel handling modules use PA 12 TR rotameter bodies, filter bowls, and pump seal inspection ports because the material resists aliphatic hydrocarbons, mineral oils, diesel, lubricating greases, and dilute alkali solutions at continuous service temperatures up to 80°C under non-loaded transparent part conditions. Immersion compatibility is evaluated by ASTM D543 coupon testing; published data for GEHR Plastics PA 12 TR in specific hydrocarbon blends is limited, and production release requires 7-day immersion coupons at the upper service temperature. The material is not suitable for contact with phenols, cresols, concentrated formic acid, hot concentrated hydrochloric acid, or chlorinated solvents; these media attack the amide linkages and produce surface whitening or stress cracking. Machining follows a tight thermal window: carbide tools with high positive rake angles from 10° to 15°, depth of cut between 0.25 mm and 0.50 mm, feed rate from 0.10 mm/rev to 0.20 mm/rev, and water-soluble polyalkylene glycol coolant diluted to 5% (v/v) in deionized water. Coolant temperature is held below 40°C because localized surface heating above this level can produce melt smear and reduce optical transmission. After machining, citric acid cleaning at 5% (w/w) and 50°C for 10 min removes metal fines without attacking the polyamide surface; nitric acid passivation is not permitted. Stress relief annealing is performed at 100°C for 2 h per 25 mm thickness before chemical service. Transparent pressure-bearing walls are calculated using short-term tensile strength values from ISO 527-2, typically 50 MPa to 60 MPa at yield, with a service factor of 0.25 for hydrocarbon exposure; rigorous independent burst testing is required above 1 bar internal pressure because published data for this stock configuration is limited. For skid-mounted flow indication installed in the European Union, REACH SVHC declarations and RoHS 2011/65/EU substance restrictions apply to electrical equipment enclosures; the end user must verify specific substance thresholds against the current candidate list. Terminal parts include rotameter bodies, filter bowl housings, flow meter sight tubes, and transparent pump inspection windows.
Machined reservoir level indicators and DEF tank sight glasses in mobile hydraulic and off-highway equipment require simultaneous dimensional stability in hot oil and clarity after low-temperature impact. Rod stock from 30 mm to 50 mm is turned into flanged level windows with static O-ring grooves cut to AS568A dash-210 tolerances and sealing faces flat within 0.05 mm over 25 mm length. The machining coolant is a synthetic ester-water emulsion at 4% (v/v); mineral-oil-based coolants are excluded because residual oil films increase surface haze and complicate adhesive bonding. Mineral oil and polyalphaolefin hydraulic fluid compatibility is good at service temperatures from -30°C to 80°C, but phosphate ester and bio-based hydraulic fluids require immersion coupons per ASTM D543 before production because published data for these fluids is limited. For diesel exhaust fluid service using 32.5% (w/w) urea solution, continuous exposure at 70°C should be validated by annual thickness-loss measurement and ISO 13468-2 haze inspection, as hydrolysis is more aggressive than hydrocarbon exposure. Ultraviolet exposure in outdoor installations can produce photo-oxidative haze; UV-stabilized grades or opaque shrouds are required for continuous outdoor use. Terminal components include hydraulic reservoir level lenses, diesel exhaust fluid tank sight glasses, brake fluid reservoir windows, and gearbox inspection ports.
For simple laboratory protective windows not exposed to organic solvents, a 6 mm PA 12 TR sheet section is machined with polished cut edges and finished with 1 µm diamond polishing paste; no additional compliance process is required beyond ASTM D1003 haze measurement and standard CNC polishing.
Competitive GEHR Plastics PA 12 TR Transparent Nylon 12 prices that fit your budget—flexible terms and customized quotes for every order.
For samples, pricing, or more information, please contact us at +8615365186327 or mail to admin@ascent-chem.com.
We will respond to you as soon as possible.
Tel: +8615365186327
Email: admin@ascent-chem.com
Flexible payment, competitive price, premium service - Inquire now!
GEHR Plastics PA 12 TR is a transparent polyamide 12 stock shape supplied as extruded sheet, round rod, and hollow bar. The material designation PA 12 TR identifies a polyamide 12 backbone modified with cycloaliphatic comonomer units that suppress crystallization, producing an optically clear semi-finished product. Published base-resin datasheets list a density of 1.06 g/cm³ under ISO 1183-1, a tensile modulus of 1700 MPa and tensile yield stress of 60 MPa under ISO 527-2, and light transmission of 90% to 92% through a 3 mm section under ISO 13468-1. The material combines transparency with the aliphatic polyamide resistance to oils, greases, fuels, and many solvents, which is not available from PMMA and is limited in polycarbonate. Unlike standard semicrystalline PA 12, the transparent grade does not scatter light from spherulitic crystallites. Unlike PA 6, it absorbs approximately 1.4% to 1.6% water at saturation by ISO 62, reducing hygroscopic dimensional change in humid service. Stock shape production is carried out on devolatilizing extrusion equipment; residual moisture is maintained below 0.10% before final shaping to avoid bubble formation and optical haze.
Compared with semicrystalline PA 12, the transparent grade sacrifices some crystallinity-related modulus and creep resistance but gains optical clarity and more isotropic shrinkage. Semicrystalline PA 12 is opaque or translucent, while PA 12 TR provides a clear amorphous or low-crystallinity morphology. The transparent grade retains notched Charpy impact values in the range of 10–15 kJ/m² under ISO 179/1eA at 23 °C, whereas PMMA typically falls below 2 kJ/m² under the same test. The elongation at break of PA 12 TR is above 50% under ISO 527-2, compared with 2–5% for PMMA. Polycarbonate offers higher tensile modulus near 2350 MPa and higher heat deflection temperature, but PA 12 TR is lower in density at 1.06 g/cm³ versus 1.20 g/cm³ for polycarbonate. The transparent PA 12 grade also exhibits better resistance to ammonia and alcohol-based disinfectants than polycarbonate. PMMA remains superior in surface hardness, UV resistance, and dimensional stability under dry conditions, but it is more prone to environmental stress cracking in ethanol and isopropanol. Polysulfone and other amorphous sulfones provide higher continuous service temperature, but they are denser and more difficult to machine.
In transparent covers, level indicators, filter bowls, sensor windows, and fluid-contact guards, PA 12 TR is therefore specified when optical clarity must be combined with toughness, low density, and resistance to hydrocarbon or polar disinfectant exposure. The Vicat softening temperature of PA 12 TR is approximately 140 °C by ISO 306/B50, while polycarbonate commonly exceeds 145 °C under the same method. This thermal boundary means PA 12 TR is not a direct substitute for polycarbonate in applications with continuous service above 100 °C or high mechanical load at elevated temperature. The material also cannot match PMMA for outdoor glazing unless UV stabilization is validated for the specific stock shape and section thickness.
Dimensional control of PA 12 TR parts begins with conditioning. According to ISO 62, water uptake at saturation in 23 °C water is 1.4–1.6%; at 50% RH the equilibrium moisture content is typically 0.7–0.8%. The coefficient of linear thermal expansion is reported as 90–120 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ under ISO 11359-2. For a 100 mm dimension, a temperature rise from 23 °C to 60 °C can produce linear growth of approximately 0.3–0.4 mm. In humid environments, moisture-induced dimensional change is reversible but must be considered in bearing fits, seal grooves, and locating features. Stock shapes are supplied in a stress-relieved condition, but machining removes skin layers and can release internal stress; post-machining annealing at 80–100 °C for 2 h in circulating air is recommended. Conditioning before final measurement should follow ISO 291 at 23 °C and 50% RH. The lower water absorption of PA 12 TR relative to PA 6, which can absorb 2.5–3.0% under the same conditions, is one difference that drives substitution in precision transparent parts exposed to condensation or intermittent wet operation.
PA 12 TR exhibits stress-cracking resistance to ethanol, isopropanol, and common alcohol-based disinfectants. This contrasts with PMMA, which is sensitive to ethanol and isopropanol under external or internal stress. The material also resists aliphatic hydrocarbons, diesel, motor oil, hydraulic fluids, and salt solutions. Compatibility with specific disinfectant formulations should be verified by immersion testing per ISO 175 and environmental stress-cracking testing per ISO 22088-3; published data for PA 12 TR stock shapes in proprietary disinfectant mixtures is limited. Although PA 12 TR has good resistance to many hydrocarbons, aromatic solvents such as toluene and xylene can plasticize the polymer and reduce strength; continuous exposure at elevated temperature should be avoided unless tested. Strong acids, oxidizing acids, phenols, and concentrated formic acid are generally outside the chemical resistance envelope of PA 12. Prolonged exposure to hot water above 80 °C can hydrolyze the polyamide backbone and reduce molecular weight, so steam service requires specific validation.
For food-contact and medical applications, resin-specific compliance must be confirmed. The base PA 12 chemistry may be available with FDA 21 CFR 177.1500 and EU Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 compliance statements, but the final stock shape requires written confirmation from the supplier for specific additives, colors, and processing aids. Cytotoxicity testing for medical use is product-specific and should be conducted under ISO 10993-5 on the finished component or stock shape.
Transparency in PA 12 TR is evaluated using total luminous transmittance and haze. A 3 mm injection-molded plaque typically transmits 90–92% of visible light by ISO 13468-1 and shows haze below 3% by ASTM D1003. In extruded stock shapes, optical quality is controlled by section thickness, melt filtration, and surface condition. As-machined surfaces are not optically clear until polished. Diamond polishing, fine abrasive wet sanding, or vapor polishing can restore transparency. Flame polishing of PA 12 TR is less forgiving than PMMA because the melt has a narrow window between polishing and yellowing. Overheating above 280 °C during secondary processing produces irreversible yellowing. Natural PA 12 TR has limited UV resistance compared with PMMA and polycarbonate; outdoor use may require UV stabilizers, cap layers, or opaque shielding depending on the exposure dose.
Unnotched Charpy specimens of PA 12 TR generally do not break at 23 °C under ISO 179/1eU. Notched Charpy values are typically 10–15 kJ/m² under ISO 179/1eA at 23 °C. At -30 °C, impact values decrease but remain above PMMA, which is brittle even at room temperature. The glass transition temperature of the transparent PA 12 base resin is approximately 135 °C by ISO 11357-2, but low-temperature toughness is retained better than in amorphous acrylic. These properties allow PA 12 TR to be used for transparent guards, filter bowls, sight glasses, and equipment windows subject to occasional impact or thermal cycling. Polycarbonate may provide higher subzero notched impact energy, but PA 12 TR is selected where chemical stress cracking of polycarbonate would be the limiting failure mode.
Machining of GEHR Plastics PA 12 TR uses sharp carbide tooling with high positive rake and low cutting speeds. Dull tools generate frictional heat and smear the surface, producing haze and residual stress. Water-miscible coolants are permitted but must be fully removed before hot gas welding. Stress-relief annealing at 80 °C for 2 h after rough machining minimizes distortion in thin sections and reduces stress-cracking risk. Hot gas welding is performed with dry gas at 350 °C and a PA 12 welding rod; weld strength can approach 80% of parent tensile strength when tested by ISO 527-2. Solvent bonding is not possible with PA 12 TR; adhesive bonding requires surface pretreatment and compatibility testing per ISO 4587. The material can be thermoformed after drying; the recommended forming temperature is 140–160 °C. During stock shape extrusion, melt temperature excursions above 280 °C produce yellowing and optical haze, so processing lines maintain narrow melt temperature control and vacuum devolatilization to preserve transparency.
Typical values below are drawn from PA 12 TR base resin datasheets. Extruded stock shape values may vary by thickness, moisture conditioning, and orientation; lot-specific certification should be requested for critical dimensions.
| Property | Test method | Typical value |
|---|---|---|
| Density | ISO 1183-1 | 1.06 g/cm³ |
| Tensile modulus | ISO 527-2 | 1700 MPa |
| Tensile yield stress | ISO 527-2 | 60 MPa |
| Elongation at break | ISO 527-2 | >50% |
| Flexural modulus | ISO 178 | 1500 MPa |
| Charpy unnotched impact | ISO 179/1eU | No break at 23 °C |
| Charpy notched impact | ISO 179/1eA | 10–15 kJ/m² |
| Vicat softening temperature B50 | ISO 306/B50 | 140 °C |
| Coefficient of linear thermal expansion | ISO 11359-2 | 90–120 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ |
| Water absorption at saturation | ISO 62 | 1.4–1.6% |
| Light transmission | ISO 13468-1 | 90–92% |
Material certification for the specific lot, including lot-specific density and moisture content, should be obtained from the GEHR Plastics quality documentation before release of machined parts.
