Stanyl PA46 Guide: High-Temperature Nylon 46 GF30 GF40 Properties vs PA66 PPA

What Is PA46?

PA46 (polyamide 46) — sold exclusively under DSM’s Stanyl brand — is an aliphatic polyamide with a melting point of 295°C, roughly 40–55°C higher than PA66. While most engineering nylons soften significantly above their glass transition temperature (Tg), PA46 is different: its uniquely symmetric molecular chain packs into a crystal lattice with roughly 70% crystallinity, giving it mechanical stiffness retention that outperforms not only PA66 but also PPA, PPS, and some LCP grades in the 120–200°C range.

For design engineers and procurement teams searching for PA46 datasheets, Stanyl grade comparisons, or PA46 vs PA66 vs PPA selection guidance, this page consolidates the critical data — from glass-filled property tables to processing windows and commercial grade cross-references.

Why PA46 Stands Out: The DMTA Story

Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA) tells the story best. In the glassy region (below Tg), all engineering polymers — PA66, PPA, PPS, Stanyl — show comparable modulus values of 1–1.5 GPa. The divergence begins above Tg:

• PA66 GF30 drops rapidly above 70°C (its Tg), losing approximately 60% of room-temperature modulus by 120°C.
• PPA (PA6T-based) holds up better, but its retention depends on the specific aromatic structure and glass transition.
• PPS GF40 maintains good stiffness, but costs 3–5× more than PA46.
• Stanyl PA46 GF30 retains usable modulus up to 200°C — and notably, its rubber-plateau modulus is the highest among all polymers in the DMTA comparison chart, irrespective of polymer class.

In practical terms: if your part must carry structural load at 150°C in an oily, abrasive environment, PA46 is the material that does it without jumping to PEEK-level costs.

PA46 GF30 vs GF40: Glass-Filled Grade Properties

Key takeaway: The jump from GF30 to GF40 adds roughly 30–50% stiffness but costs elongation and toughness. GF30 is the workhorse for structural parts; GF40 is specified when creep resistance and absolute rigidity matter more than impact.

PA46 vs PA66 vs PPA vs PPS: High-Temperature Nylon Comparison

When PA46 Wins

• Above 120°C, below 180°C: This is PA46’s sweet spot. PA66 loses too much stiffness at these temperatures, PPA is more expensive and cycles slower, and PPS is overkill (and 3–5× the cost).
• Thin-wall parts: PA46’s exceptionally high melt flow allows wall sections down to 0.2–0.3 mm — thinner than PA66 or PPA can reliably fill.
• Gears and wear surfaces: In DSM’s own gear wear testing, PA46 GF30 showed significantly lower wear depth than PA66 after millions of cycles, with or without internal lubrication.
• Cycle time reduction: PA46 crystallizes faster than PA66 and far faster than PPA, yielding 15–30% shorter molding cycles.

Stanyl PA46 Commercial Grade Selector

DSM (now Envalior) offers the most comprehensive PA46 portfolio. Below is a practical grade selector organized by reinforcement level and key differentiator.

Processing PA46: Injection Molding Parameters

Critical processing notes:

• Moisture control: PA46 is less moisture-sensitive than PA66 at room temperature, but at 300°C+ melt temperatures hydrolysis becomes a real risk. Always pre-dry.
• Fast crystallization: PA46 crystallizes exceptionally fast — a productivity advantage, but also means gate freeze-off happens sooner. Size gates appropriately.
• Mold temperature matters: Unlike PA66, where mold temp mainly affects surface finish, PA46’s degree of crystallization depends on cooling rate. Mold temps below 80°C produce under-crystallized parts with reduced thermal resistance.
• Purge between materials: PA46’s high melt temperature means residual lower-temperature materials in the barrel can degrade. Purge thoroughly with PE or a purging compound.

PA46 Applications by Industry

PA46 FR (Flame Retardant) Grades

PA46’s high melting point creates a built-in advantage for flame retardant formulations. Where standard polyamides need heavy FR loading to pass UL94 V-0, PA46 can achieve V-0 at wall thicknesses as low as 0.35 mm with less additive — preserving more of the base polymer’s mechanical properties.

Key FR grades in the Stanyl portfolio:

• TE250F6 (GF30 V-0): Most widely specified FR PA46 for electrical connectors and terminal blocks. Halogenated FR, balances flow and stiffness.
• 46HF5040 (GF40 V-0): Higher stiffness FR grade for structural electrical components.
• 46SF5030 (GF30 V-0): Halogen-free FR option for environmentally regulated applications (EV charging, consumer electronics).
• TE250F9 (GF45 V-0): Maximum stiffness FR grade for circuit breakers and high-mechanical-load electrical parts.

Limitations: When NOT to Use PA46

• Hot water / steam above 120°C: PA46 hydrolyzes like all aliphatic polyamides. For prolonged hot-water exposure, consider PPS or PPA instead.
• Continuous use above 200°C: While PA46 survives short-term excursions to 250°C, long-term oxidative degradation makes PPS (220°C continuous) or PEEK the better choice beyond PA46’s range.
• UV exposure without stabilization: Standard PA46 grades require UV stabilization for outdoor use. Specify UV-stabilized variants (TW341 variants available).
• Single-source risk: Stanyl is exclusively produced by Envalior (formerly DSM Engineering Materials). For multi-source requirements, PPA or PPS may be preferred.
• Budget-driven projects: PA46 GF30 costs roughly 2–3× PA66 GF30. If the application doesn’t need the thermal performance, it’s overkill.

FAQ

What is the difference between PA46 and PA66?

PA46 (polyamide 46) differs from PA66 (polyamide 66) at the molecular level: PA46 has a shorter carbon chain with 4 methylene groups between amide linkages, vs. 6 in PA66. This gives PA46 a higher amide-group density, higher melting point (295°C vs. 260°C), higher crystallinity (~70% vs. ~45%), faster crystallization, and significantly better stiffness retention above 120°C.

Is PA46 the same as Stanyl?

Yes. Stanyl is DSM/Envalior’s registered trademark for PA46. DSM developed PA46 commercially in the 1980s and remains the sole commercial-scale producer. Any reference to “PA46” in practice means Stanyl.

Can PA46 replace PEEK or PPS?

In the 150–180°C continuous-use range, PA46 can replace PPS at roughly one-third to one-fifth the material cost, assuming chemical exposure is limited to oils and hydrocarbons. PA46 cannot replace PEEK’s 250°C continuous use ceiling. But for applications currently using PPS or PEEK “just to be safe” in the 150–180°C range, PA46 is a viable cost-down candidate.

Does PA46 absorb moisture?

Yes — like all aliphatic polyamides, PA46 absorbs moisture. At 23°C and 50% RH, PA46 reaches approximately 2.6% moisture content. This affects dimensional stability and reduces tensile modulus (conditioned modulus is roughly 60% of dry-as-molded). For precision applications, account for moisture conditioning in your tolerance stack-up.

What temperature can PA46 withstand?

PA46’s short-term peak temperature is 250°C. Its continuous use temperature (5000-hour service life) is 163°C according to DSM’s UL RTI rating. For structural applications at temperatures above 180°C continuous, consult the Stanyl Diablo grades (engineered for long-term 200°C+ exposure).

How does PA46 compare to PPA (PA6T/PA9T/PA10T)?

PPA (polyphthalamide) is a family of semi-aromatic nylons with generally higher melting points (310–320°C) but slower crystallization. PA46 crystallizes faster and cycles 20–30% quicker in injection molding. PPA often provides lower moisture absorption (1–2% vs. 2.6% for PA46) and better chemical resistance, but PA46 wins on cycle time, thin-wall flow, and wear resistance. The choice often depends on whether processing speed or ultimate chemical resistance matters more for your part.

Need Stanyl PA46 pellets, datasheets, or technical grade selection support? We supply glass-filled, FR, and specialty PA46 grades. Contact us with your temperature, load, and regulatory requirements — we’ll recommend the right grade.

Last updated: June 2026. Datasheet values are typical ranges for standard Stanyl grades. Always verify specific grade properties with the manufacturer’s current technical data sheet. Stanyl is a registered trademark of Envalior (formerly DSM Engineering Materials).