PA11 (Polyamide 11) vs PI (Polyimide): 0% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
PA11 (Polyamide 11) vs PI (Polyimide)
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
PA11 (Polyamide 11)
Polyamide 11 — 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).
PI (Polyimide)
Polyimide — THE extreme-temperature polymer. Continuous use 250-300°C (short-term to 400°C+). Outstanding thermal stability, low outgassing, excellent radiation resistance, and self-lubricating. Available as film (Kapton, DuPont), parts (Vespel, DuPont), and moldable resin. Expensive but irreplaceable where no other polymer survives. Used for aerospace bearings/seals, semiconductor processing, flexible circuit boards (Kapton), jet engine components, and space applications.
| PA11 (Polyamide 11) | PI (Polyimide) | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Polymers | Polymers |
| Standard | ISO 527-1 | ASTM D638 |
Chemical composition (wt%) — Pro
| Element | PA11 (Polyamide 11) | PI (Polyimide) | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poly(11-aminoundecanoic acid) from castor oil | 99–99.9% | — | — |
| Base Polymer (Polyimide) | — | 99–99.9% | — |
Mechanical properties — Pro
| Property | PA11 (Polyamide 11) | PI (Polyimide) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 40–50 | 72–120 | MPa |
| Elongation | 200–350 | 7–30 | % |
| Elastic Modulus | 1100–1400 | 2500–4000 | MPa |
| Density | |||
| Water Absorption (24h) | |||
| continuous_service_temp |
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PA11 (Polyamide 11) and PI (Polyimide) 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 PI (Polyimide)?
PA11 (Polyamide 11) and PI (Polyimide) have a 0% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace PA11 (Polyamide 11) with PI (Polyimide)?
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 PI (Polyimide)?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. PA11 (Polyamide 11) is a Polymers grade, while PI (Polyimide) is a Polymers grade.
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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.