Polyamide (PA) are processed in significant quantities into fibers and are among the most important engineering thermoplastics. They are characterized by high strength and stiffness and offer excellent impact resistance as well as outstanding abrasion and wear resistance. The most important polyamide types are PA 6 and PA 6.6. Polyamides are primarily used in vehicle construction, electrical engineering, electronics, and mechanical and apparatus engineering. Thanks to their high mechanical strength, polyamides have replaced many metal components in vehicle construction, making them an essential material in this field. Applications include lamp housings, rigid fuel lines and tanks, as well as gas and clutch pedals. Glass fiber-reinforced polyamides offer significantly higher heat resistance than unreinforced variants and are frequently used in vehicle engine compartments due to their excellent oil resistance. Due to their lower weight and the possibility of efficiently producing highly loaded parts with complex geometries, glass fiber-reinforced polyamides are also used in hybrid constructions. Here, they are used in combination with steel and, more recently, aluminum for structural components such as bumpers. Structural components fulfill a load-bearing function, such as in vehicle body parts.
