PA11 (Polyamide 11) vs PA6 (Nylon 6): 0% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
PA11 (Polyamide 11) vs PA6 (Nylon 6)
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
PA11 (Polyamide 11)
Polyamide 11 β bio-based engineering thermoplastic derived from castor oil (ricinus). Lower moisture absorption than PA6/PA66 (0.9% vs 2.5-8%), better chemical resistance, and excellent low-temperature impact. 11 carbon atoms between amide groups = long aliphatic chain = more flexible/tough. Trade name: Rilsan (Arkema). Used for flexible tubing (automotive fuel/brake lines, pneumatic), offshore flexible pipes, powder coating, and SLS 3D printing (PA 2200 alternative).
PA6 (Nylon 6)
Polyamide 6 (Nylon 6) β the most widely used engineering thermoplastic. Excellent combination of mechanical strength, toughness, wear resistance, and chemical resistance. Properties are moisture-sensitive β conditioned (50% RH) values are significantly lower than dry values. Trade names include Ultramid B (BASF), Akulon (DSM), Zytel (DuPont). Used for gears, bearings, bushings, cable ties, structural brackets, and automotive under-hood components.
| PA11 (Polyamide 11) | PA6 (Nylon 6) | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | β | β |
| Category | Polymers | Polymers |
| Standard | ISO 527-1 | ISO 10350 |
Chemical composition (wt%) β Pro
| Element | PA11 (Polyamide 11) | PA6 (Nylon 6) | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poly(11-aminoundecanoic acid) from castor oil | 99β99.9% | β | β |
| Polycaprolactam (from Ξ΅-caprolactam) | β | 99β99.9% | β |
Mechanical properties β Pro
| Property | PA11 (Polyamide 11) | PA6 (Nylon 6) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 40β50 | 75β85 | MPa |
| Elongation | 200β350 | 30β100 | % |
| Elastic Modulus | 1100β1400 | 2.7β3 | MPa |
| Density | |||
| Water Absorption (24h) | |||
| Yield Strength | |||
| Glass Transition Temp (Tg) | |||
| Melting Point | |||
| Tensile Strength | |||
| Tensile Modulus | |||
| Elongation at Break | |||
| Charpy Impact (notched) | |||
| Density | |||
| Melting Point | |||
| Glass Transition Temp | |||
| Water Absorption (24h) | |||
| Water Absorption (saturation) |
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PA11 (Polyamide 11) and PA6 (Nylon 6) have significantly different compositions (0% overlap). These materials are not interchangeable and serve different application areas.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PA11 (Polyamide 11) the same as PA6 (Nylon 6)?
PA11 (Polyamide 11) and PA6 (Nylon 6) have a 0% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace PA11 (Polyamide 11) with PA6 (Nylon 6)?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (0% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between PA11 (Polyamide 11) and PA6 (Nylon 6)?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. PA11 (Polyamide 11) is a Polymers grade, while PA6 (Nylon 6) is a Polymers grade.
Related Comparisons
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Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
All data is for reference only. Equivalents indicate similarity, not identity. Always verify against the applicable specification for safety-critical applications. materialref.com accepts no liability for decisions based on this data.