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PA11 (Polyamide 11 / Nylon 11)

PA11 (Nylon 11) — bio-based polyamide from castor oil. Lowest water absorption of any commercial polyamide. Outstanding flexibility at -40 C. For flexible oil & gas pipelines, fuel lines and downhole applications.

Engineering Plastics Polyamide (Nylon) ISOPA11 (ISO 1874-1) ENEN ISO 1874 ASTMD4066 PA11XX Trade NamesRilsan 11 (Arkema) / BESNO (Arkema) — dominant PA11 supplier +6
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Description

PA11 (Polyamide 11) per ISO 1874-1 is produced from 11-aminoundecanoic acid derived from castor oil — a renewable bio-based feedstock (100% bio-based, CO2-neutral). Key properties: lower water absorption than PA12 (<0.3% saturation), excellent flexibility at -40 C (Izod unnotched >25 kJ/m²), outstanding chemical resistance to hydrocarbons, fuels and lubricants. Standard for offshore flexible pipeline inner and outer sheaths (API 17J/17K), subsea umbilical sheaths and downhole chemical injection tubing.

Key Properties — PA11 (unfilled, standard)
Rm (Tensile Strength)
42 – 55
MPa
Re / Rp0.2 (Yield)
38 – 52
MPa
A₅ (Elongation)
≥ 150.0
%
E (Young's Modulus)
2
GPa
Density
1.04
g/cm³
Main Designations (10)
Standard BodyDesignationCountry / RegionNote
ISO PA11 (ISO 1874-1) International
EN EN ISO 1874 EU
ASTM D4066 PA11XX USA
Trade Names Rilsan 11 (Arkema) / BESNO (Arkema) — dominant PA11 supplier Global
API API 17J (flexible pipe inner sheath) International
API API 17K (unbonded flexible pipe) International
UL 94 HB USA
FDA 21 CFR 177.1500 (food contact — selected grades) USA
JUS PL-PA11 Yugoslavia Poliamid 11 inžinjerska plastika
Bio-based 100% bio-based from castor oil. ISO 14067 carbon footprint verified. Global
Standards (10)
#Standard BodyDesignationCountry / RegionNote
1 ISO PA11 (ISO 1874-1) International —
2 EN EN ISO 1874 EU —
3 ASTM D4066 PA11XX USA —
4 Trade Names Rilsan 11 (Arkema) / BESNO (Arkema) — dominant PA11 supplier Global —
5 API API 17J (flexible pipe inner sheath) International —
6 API API 17K (unbonded flexible pipe) International —
7 UL 94 HB USA —
8 FDA 21 CFR 177.1500 (food contact — selected grades) USA —
9 JUS PL-PA11 Yugoslavia Poliamid 11 inžinjerska plastika
10 Bio-based 100% bio-based from castor oil. ISO 14067 carbon footprint verified. Global —
All values in wt.%
C
Carbon (11-aminoundecanoic acid backbone)
~64.0000
H
Hydrogen
~11.0000
N
Nitrogen
~6.5000
O
Oxygen
~18.5000
H2O
Water absorption (saturation)
≤ 0.3000
ElementSymbolMin %Max %Typical %
Carbon (11-aminoundecanoic acid backbone) C — — 64.0000
Hydrogen H — — 11.0000
Nitrogen N — — 6.5000
Oxygen O — — 18.5000
Water absorption (saturation) H2O — 0.3000 —
Mechanical Properties
ConditionCode Rm min
MPa		Rm max
MPa		 Re min
MPa		Re max
MPa		 A₅ min
%		 Z
%		 KV
J		 HB minHB max HRC minHRC max E
GPa
PA11 (unfilled, standard) STD 42 55 38 52 150.0 — — — — — — 1.6
PA11 GF30 GF30 110 140 90 120 3.0 — — — — — — 7.0
PA11 Flexible (plasticised) FLEX 28 40 20 32 250.0 — — — — — — 0.8
Physical Properties
Density
1.040
g/cm³
Melting Point
183–188
°C
Young's Modulus
1.6
GPa
Poisson's Ratio
0.410
—
Thermal Conductivity
0.3
W/m·K
Thermal Expansion
105.00
×10⁻⁶ /K
Specific Heat
1,800
J/kg·K
Magnetic
No
 
Heat Treatment
Drying (before processing)
Temperature:80°C – 85°C
Medium:Circulating oven
Duration:3-4 h
Cooling:Sealed bag
Hardness After:Moisture <0.20%
Less sensitive than PA6 — shorter drying adequate.
Conditioning (machined parts)
Temperature:20°C – 23°C
Medium:Ambient
Duration:4-24 h
Cooling:Ambient
Hardness After:Near-equilibrium quickly
Very low dimensional change on conditioning. Advantage for precision parts vs PA6.
Machinability
Machinability Rating
relative to AISI B1112 = 100%
320.0%
Excellent
Turning Speed (HSS)
480
m/min
Turning Speed (Carbide)
1,700
m/min
Feed Rate (Turning)
0.580
mm/rev
Drilling Speed (HSS)
420
m/min
Milling Speed (Carbide)
1,700
m/min
CoolantCompressed air; dry cutting common
Chip FormationMedium chips — less sticky than PA6
Tool MaterialCarbide K10; HSS M2
Surface FinishRa 0.4-2.0 um
Good machinability. Similar to PA12. Less sticky and more dimensionally stable than PA6.
Applications
Oil & Gas
Offshore flexible pipeline inner sheaths (API 17J), umbilical sheaths, flexible risers and subsea chemical injection hoses.
Automotive
Fuel lines, brake fluid circuits and vapour recovery tubing.
Aerospace
Aircraft fuel system tubing, hydraulic pilot lines and fluid transfer.
3D Printing
SLS powder for functional parts — similar to PA12 but bio-based and slightly tougher.
Technical Notes
✅
PA11 vs PA12
PA11: marginally tougher at low T, bio-based (renewable), slightly lower density. PA12: similar overall properties, slightly lower cost, broader supplier base. Both are used interchangeably for most flexible pipe applications.
💧
Chemical Resistance
Outstanding vs hydrocarbons, fuels, oils and hydraulic fluids — better than PA6/PA66. Key property for oil & gas flexible pipe service. NOT resistant to strong acids or concentrated oxidising agents.
✅
Bio-based Advantage
PA11 is fully bio-derived from castor oil. Zero net CO2 footprint vs petrochemical PA12. Mandatory specification for some European green procurement standards.