what is PAL?

Core Properties and Production Process of PAL

1. Raw Material Sources

    

   PAL is mainly produced from bio-based monomers, such as bio-based diamines, dibasic acids extracted from castor oil and corn, or bio-based caprolactam. For some grades, a small amount of bio-based elastomer monomers (e.g., polyether polyol) can be added for copolymerization modification to further optimize elasticity.
    
2. Production Process

    

   The core process is copolymerization. By adjusting the ratio of bio-based polyamide monomers to elastomer monomers, the proportion of rigid amide segments and flexible elastomer segments in the molecular chain is controlled, thereby achieving precise regulation of material properties such as strength, elasticity and heat resistance. After polymerization, the product undergoes secondary processing including pelletizing, extrusion and injection molding to be made into various finished products.
    
3. Key Properties

    

   PAL integrates three core advantages: rigidity, elasticity and environmental friendliness. Its tensile strength and wear resistance are close to those of bio-based nylon; its elastic recovery rate is superior to that of traditional nylon. Meanwhile, it reduces dependence on petroleum resources, and some grades can degrade slowly under specific conditions (e.g., industrial composting).
    
4. Application Scenarios

    

   PAL is targeted at eco-friendly fields with high requirements for comprehensive material performance, such as lightweight elastic structural parts for automobiles (e.g., shock absorbers, sealing strips), high-end elastic fibers for textiles (e.g., eco-friendly stretch fabrics), flexible protective parts for electronic devices, and biodegradable elastic components for medical applications.
    

Core Differences Among PAL, PEL and Bio-based Nylon

1. Molecular Structure Differences
    
   • PAL: The main chain consists of amide bonds (rigid segments) + elastomer segments (flexible segments), featuring a copolymer structure.
   • PEL: The main chain has ester bonds as repeating units, belonging to the polyester elastomer structure.
   • Bio-based nylon: The main chain only contains amide bonds as repeating units, presenting a rigid polymer structure.
    
2. Performance Focus Differences
    
   • PAL: Core strength lies in a balance between rigidity and elasticity—it has higher strength and wear resistance than PEL, and better elasticity than bio-based nylon.
   • PEL: Core strength lies in high elasticity + degradability—it has the best flexibility and elastic recovery rate, but the lowest strength and wear resistance.
   • Bio-based nylon: Core strength lies in high strength + high wear resistance—it has the highest rigidity, but the poorest elasticity.
    
3. Application Scenario Differences
    
   • PAL: Suitable for eco-friendly scenarios requiring both strength and elasticity (e.g., automotive elastic structural parts, high-end stretch fabrics).
   • PEL: Suitable for eco-friendly scenarios requiring high elasticity (e.g., degradable elastic packaging films, biomedical elastic components).
   • Bio-based nylon: Suitable for eco-friendly structural part scenarios requiring high strength and rigidity (e.g., automotive parts around engines, gears and bearings).
    

Supplementary Note