Compounds for Metal Replacement

Substitution of Metal Alloys with High-Performance Polyamides

When metal is too heavy, too expensive, or too complex to process, GODIPLAST’s modern high-performance compounds offer a compelling alternative. With customized formulations, the function and strength of metal components can be efficiently replaced by plastics – without compromising performance and reliability.

Metal Replacement with High-Performance Compounds 

With the high-performance polyamides PA6 GF 65 and PA66 GF 50 HTS, metals such as aluminum or steel can be specifically substituted. These advanced materials open up new possibilities for lightweight construction and functional integration.

High Strength and Thermal Resistance

Thanks to their high glass fiber content, these PA types offer outstanding mechanical properties. They are particularly strong and heat-resistant – ideal for applications where metal alloys were previously required.

Figure 2 shows the modulus of elasticity values (ISO 527; v = 5 mm/min) of the glass fiber-reinforced PA types (conditioned) compared to commonly used metal alloys.

Figure 1 (Click to enlarge):Comparison of the strength of PA6 GF 65 and PA66 GF 50 HTS versus die-cast alloys
Figure 2 (Click to enlarge): Comparison of the modulus of elasticity of PA6 GF 65 and PA66 GF 50 HTS versus die-cast alloys

Advantage Through Specific Strength

A clear advantage emerges when comparing specific strength (strength relative to density). The PA compounds achieve impressive values here, clearly demonstrating the performance potential of modern plastics.

When tensile strength and modulus of elasticity are related to the density of the respective materials, the benefits of using PA compounds become evident. Specific strength (see Figure 3), for example, serves as a benchmark for comparing the performance of different materials.

Targeted Control of Anisotropy

Unlike metals, polyamides are anisotropic – their properties depend on the direction of loading. However, with load-oriented component design, this behavior can be specifically compensated for.

Design Optimizations for Maximum Performance

Reinforcing ribs, textured surfaces, and intelligent geometries increase the moment of resistance, enabling plastic components to achieve strength levels comparable to those of metal parts.

Figure 3 (Click to enlarge): Strength values relative to density of PA6 GF 65 and PA66 GF 50 HTS compared to metal alloys
Figure 4 (Click to enlarge): Modulus of elasticity values relative to density of PA6 GF 65 and PA66 GF 50 HTS compared to metal alloys

The Advantages at a Glance

Our PA compounds enable plastic solutions that can withstand high mechanical and thermal demands. Key advantages include:

  • Significantly lower weight (lightweight construction)

  • High design flexibility (complex geometries)

  • Integration of additional functions (e.g., snap-fit connections)

PA6 GF 65 and PA66 GF 50 HTS are more than just a substitute – they are a true alternative to metal alloys.

Typical Areas of Application

  • Automotive

  • Mechanical engineering

  • Electrical engineering

  • …and many more

Examples:
Housings for electrical devices, electric motors, brake cables, fan rotor blades, gears, load-bearing structural elements, etc.

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