INTRODUCTION
Polyamides (PA) are semi-crystalline polymers. They have very good mechanical properties, are particularly tough and have excellent sliding and wear characteristics. Properties vary from the hard and tough PA 6.6 to the soft and flexible PA 12. Depending on the type, polyamides absorb different amounts of moisture, which also affect the mechanical characteristics as well as the dimensional accuracy.
4MID® is the registered trade mark for Polyamide (PA) compounds produced by 4PLAS, we offer a wide range of Polyamide compounds and blends that are based on the following PA resins:
- 4MID® A (PA 6.6)
- 4MID® B (PA 6)
- 4MID® AB (PA 6.6/6)
- 4MID® U (PA 11 & PA12)
- 4TECH® (Polyamide)
Available in prime, industrial, recycled & cross blends 4MID® offers the ideal balance between cost & performance. Long fibre reinforced materials in standard grades and custom compounds, ensure that we can truly offer a complete range.
PROPERTIES
4MID® compounds offer the following key properties:
- Excellent stiffness
- High mechanical strength
- Very good thermal stability
- Excellent flammability resistance
- Good electrical properties
- High wear resistance and low friction
- Very good chemical resistance
- Good flow and processing properties
PRODUCTS
With the addition of a wide range of modifiers, stabilisers, speciality additives and customised colours, 4MID® can be compounded as:
- Unreinforced
- Impact modified
- Glass fibre reinforced
- Glass bead reinforced
- Glass bead and fibre blends
- Mineral filled and reinforced
- Carbon fibre reinforced
- Aramid fibre reinforced
- Flame retardant including UL listed grades
- Heat stabilised
- Low warpage
- Lubricated
- Nucleated
- Surface modified
- UV/ light stabilised
- 4TECH®
For individual grades or to search using a wide range of criteria please use our interactive material selector.
Our standard range is comprehensive, however should you not find what you are looking for within the data available on this website, we offer Custom Compounds to suit the requirements of specific applications.
If you would like advice on selecting suitable materials, or you cannot find what you are looking for, please contact us and one of our team will be pleased to assist you.
PACKAGING
4MID® grades are supplied in pellet form and packed in moisture proof 25kg multi-layer bags. Other forms of packaging such as octabins and big- bags with PE or Aluminium liners are also available.
DRYING
For Polyamide compounds, moisture content should be less than 0.2% before processing.
4MID® grades are manufactured with a maximum moisture content of 0.1%, therefore products in moisture proof packs do not need pre-drying prior to processing.
As Polyamides are hygroscopic and absorb moisture from the environment, materials stored in open packs or containers should be dried at 80°C for a minimum of 2 hours. Temperatures above 95°C will result in discolouration and over drying can cause processing problems.
PROCESSING
4MID® compounds can be processed on all commercial injection moulding machinery.
It is necessary to have precise temperature control for processing Polyamides. The temperature of the nozzle is also very important in order to avoid thermal loss or overheating.
Reverse taper nozzles are recommended to prevent both drool and freezing. In general nozzle diameters should be 3 to 6mm.
For more information on this product, see our processing guides, troubleshooting guides and chemical resistance charts.
RECYCLING
Regrind levels up to 25% can be used depending on the application and requirements. However, for flame retardant grades a maximum 10% addition rate is recommended. Regrind should be free of contamination, should not be thermally degraded and must be dry as moulded, or be dried prior to reuse.
SAFETY
Under normal conditions 4MID® is not a toxic or hazardous material. During processing preventative action should be taken to avoid direct contact with the polymer melt or inhalation of any gases produced. Processing temperatures above 320°C should be avoided. Detailed safety information can be found in our material safety data sheets (MSDS).