Complete spec tables for metric and inch sizes, PA12 vs PA6 vs PA11 comparison, and selection criteria for automotive brake lines and hydraulic systems.
Why PA12 Nylon Tube
Reayon Pneumatic manufactures PA12 nylon tube from 100% virgin raw material. No regrind. No recycled content. Raw material purity directly affects low-temperature toughness, chemical resistance, and long-term dimensional stability.
PA12 Nylon Tube Types & Applications
Reayon Pneumatic supplies three PA12 tube constructions. All comply with SAE J844 and ISO 7628. Choose based on your pressure, temperature, and chemical exposure.
◆Standard PA12 Tube
Single-layer. Smooth inner wall. General fluid transfer. Best cost-to-performance ratio.
◆◆Fiber-Reinforced PA12 Tube
High-strength fiber braid between layers. Higher burst pressure. For high-pressure hydraulic circuits.
Fuel transfer: Diesel and gasoline lines in marine and off-highway equipment.
PA12 Nylon Tube Specification Tables
Operating temperature range: -60°C to +140°C. All values tested at 23±2°C per SAE J844.
Metric Series — NY12
Part No.
Size OD×ID (mm)
Weight (g/m)
Tensile (kg/cm²)
Working P. (MPa)
Burst P. (MPa)
Bend R. (mm)
NY12-0425
4×2.5
4.3
10
2.5
5.0
18
NY12-0404
4×2.5
8.4
13
3.1
9.0
20
NY12-0604
6×4
10.4
16
4.5
10.0
30
NY12-0503
5×3
13.8
22
3.4
6.5
35
NY12-0606
6×4
17.3
34
3.2
8.0
40
NY12-0806
8×6
24.2
43
2.8
5.7
50
NY12-0808
10×8
31.1
62
2.7
4.5
65
NY12-1075
10×7.5
37.8
70
2.8
5.6
65
NY12-1209
12×9
54.5
101
3.2
5.7
70
NY12-1411
14×11
64.0
125
2.2
5.6
80
NY12-0425F
4×2.5
6.4
13
3.2
10.0
20
NY12-0604F
6×4
15.7
34
3.2
8.0
40
NY12-0806F
8×6
22.0
43
2.8
5.7
50
NY12-1075F
10×7.5
34.4
70
2.6
5.7
65
NY12-1209F
12×9
49.5
101
2.8
5.7
70
NY12-1411F
14×11
58.9
125
2.2
4.8
80
NY12-1612F
16×12
88.0
190
2.8
5.7
130
F suffix = fiber-reinforced. Values at 23±2°C. Actual values may vary by batch. Custom sizes available.
Inch Series — NY6
Part No.
Size OD×ID
Weight (g/m)
Tensile (kg/cm²)
Working P. (MPa)
Burst P. (MPa)
Bend R. (mm)
NY6-1512
15×12 mm
70.0
140
2.0
5.4
90
NY6-1612
16×12 mm
96.7
190
2.8
5.7
130
NY6-1815
18×15 mm
85.5
210
2.3
4.0
155
NY6-3/16
3/16"×3.26 mm
10.4
18
3.3
6.3
35
NY6-5/16
5/16"×5.9 mm
24.0
40
2.5
5.6
50
NY6-1/4
1/4"×4.35 mm
18.5
38
2.7
8.0
45
NY6-3/8
3/8"×1/4"
43.5
65
2.8
6.1
50
NY6-1/2
1/2"×3/8"
61.0
110
3.0
5.5
80
NY6-5/8
5/8"×1/2"
78.5
175
2.7
5.0
125
PA12 vs PA6 vs PA11: Which Nylon Tube to Choose
The three nylon grades differ in carbon chain length. More carbons = lower water absorption and better low-temp performance. Here is how they stack up:
Property
PA12 (Recommended)
PA11
PA6
Min. Temp.
-60°C
-40°C
-20°C
Water Absorption
<1.5%
~1.8%
>3%
Chemical Resistance
Excellent
Good
Fair
Dimensional Stability
Excellent
Good
Humidity-sensitive
Service Life
10+ years
6–8 years
3–5 years
Unit Cost
Higher
Medium
Lower
TCO (10yr)
Lowest
Medium
Highest
Bottom line: PA12 costs more per meter. But over 10 years, you replace it once versus two or three times for PA6. Fewer replacements mean less downtime, less labor, fewer leak risks. For OEM brake-line programs and high-reliability hydraulic circuits, PA12 wins on total cost of ownership.
How to Select the Right PA12 Tube Size
Two rules cover most selection decisions:
Rule 1: Burst Pressure Margin
Multiply your system working pressure by 3 to 4. The result is your minimum required burst pressure.
Example: System runs at 2.5 MPa. Minimum burst = 2.5 × 4 = 10 MPa. Choose NY12-0604 (burst 10 MPa) or the fiber-reinforced NY12-0404 (burst 9 MPa).
Rule 2: Pulsating Pressure Safety Factor
If your system has pressure pulses (hydraulic pumps, reciprocating compressors), add a 1.5x safety factor on top of Rule 1.
Example: Same 2.5 MPa system with pulsation. Required burst = 2.5 × 4 × 1.5 = 15 MPa. Consider a larger fiber-reinforced size or contact Reayon Pneumatic engineering for a recommendation.
Rule 3: Bend Radius Check
Check that your installation routing can accommodate the minimum bend radius listed in the spec table. Exceeding the bend radius causes premature fatigue failure. When in doubt, go one size larger on OD for tighter routing.
What is the minimum operating temperature of PA12 nylon tube?
PA12 nylon tube operates down to -60°C without becoming brittle. This is the lowest among common nylon grades. Reayon Pneumatic tests every batch at -60°C to confirm flexibility before shipping. It makes PA12 the first choice for Nordic, Russian, and high-altitude outdoor equipment.
What chemicals can PA12 nylon tube resist?
PA12 nylon tube resists diluted acids (sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid), alkalis (sodium hydroxide), fuels (diesel, gasoline), brake fluids (DOT3, DOT4), and lubricating oils. Reayon Pneumatic provides chemical compatibility data sheets on request for specific media and concentrations.
How does PA12 compare to PA6 and PA11 nylon tube?
PA12 absorbs less water (<1.5% vs >3% for PA6), so dimensions stay stable in humid environments. It handles -60°C, while PA11 stops at -40°C and PA6 at -20°C. PA12 also has better stress-crack resistance. The trade-off is higher unit cost, but total cost of ownership is lower because PA12 lasts 10+ years versus 3-5 years for PA6. Reayon Pneumatic stocks all three grades.
How do I select the right PA12 tube size for my pressure rating?
Use 3-4x working pressure as the minimum burst pressure margin. For a 2.5 MPa system, choose a tube rated at 8+ MPa burst (e.g., NY12-0806 or NY12-1075 from the Reayon Pneumatic catalog). For pulsating pressure, apply a 1.5x additional safety factor.
Where does Reayon Pneumatic source PA12 raw material?
Reayon Pneumatic uses 100% virgin PA12 from Evonik (Germany), Ube Industries (Japan), and Arkema (France). Every batch ships with a COA (Certificate of Analysis) traceable to the manufacturer lot. No regrind or recycled material is used.
What standards does Reayon Pneumatic PA12 nylon tube comply with?
Reayon Pneumatic PA12 tubes comply with SAE J844 for thermoplastic tubing in air brake systems, and ISO 7628 for plastic tubing in road vehicles. Custom specifications for non-automotive applications are available on request.
Get the Full PA12 Catalog & Quote
Whether you need metric or inch sizes, standard or custom lengths, Reayon Pneumatic engineering team provides one-on-one selection support.
