Group standard Updated translation: December 2016 VW 50134

Issue 2015-09
Class. No.: 55121

Descriptors: PA6, polyamide 6, polyamide, glass fiber-reinforced, mineral-reinforced, engine compartment, chassis,
body, engine, transmission

PA6 for Finished Parts Outside the Vehicle Interior

Materials Requirements

Previous issues
VW 50134: 2011-05

Changes
The following changes have been made to VW 50134: 2011-05:
– Standard completely revised
– Applicable documents updated

Contents
Page
1 Scope ......................................................................................................................... 2
2 Designation ................................................................................................................ 2
3 Requirements ............................................................................................................. 3
3.1 Basic requirements .................................................................................................... 3
3.2 Appearance ................................................................................................................ 3
3.3 Manufacture ............................................................................................................... 3
3.4 Conditioning ............................................................................................................... 3
3.5 Evaluation of the measurement results ...................................................................... 4
4 Material requirements ................................................................................................ 4
4.1 Workmanship ............................................................................................................. 4
4.2 Moisture content ......................................................................................................... 4
QUELLE: NOLIS

4.3 Melting temperature ................................................................................................... 4

4.4 Elevated-temperature behavior .................................................................................. 4
4.5 Low-temperature behavior ......................................................................................... 4
5 Material requirements ................................................................................................ 5
6 Requirements dependent on the place of use ........................................................... 8
7 Notes on testing ....................................................................................................... 10

Always use the latest version of this standard.

This electronically generated standard is authentic and valid without signature. Page 1 of 13
The English translation is believed to be accurate. In case of discrepancies, the German version is alone authoritative and controlling.

Technical responsibility The Standards department

GQL-P/2 Dr. Lars Fölster Tel.: +49 5361 9 122549 EKDV/4 Stefanie Reiss EKDV
GQL-P Dr. Jiping Liu Tel.: +49 5361 9 41184 Maik Gummert

All rights reserved. No part of this document may be provided to third parties or reproduced without the prior consent of one of the Volkswagen Group’s Standards departments.
© Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft VWNORM-2015-07d
Page 2
VW 50134: 2015-09

7.1 Workmanship ........................................................................................................... 10

7.2 Moisture content ....................................................................................................... 10
7.3 Melting temperature ................................................................................................. 10
7.4 Elevated-temperature behavior ................................................................................ 10
7.5 Low-temperature behavior ....................................................................................... 10
7.6 Notched impact strength .......................................................................................... 10
7.7 Tensile test ............................................................................................................... 11
7.8 Weld line strength .................................................................................................... 11
7.9 Heat aging ................................................................................................................ 11
7.10 Oil immersion aging ................................................................................................. 11
7.11 Flexural strength ...................................................................................................... 11
7.12 Fan wheel weld line strength .................................................................................... 11
7.13 Impact strength ........................................................................................................ 12
8 Applicable documents .............................................................................................. 12

1 Scope
This standard defines the materials requirements for glass fiber-reinforced and/or mineral-rein‐
forced polyamide 6 (PA6) in the engine, chassis, transmission, and body areas (without paint fin‐
ish).

2 Designation
The designation is composed of the following parts:
PA6 as per Volkswagen standard VW 50134 + >grade< + >area of application<
If none of the areas of application in section 6 apply, only the grade is specified.
Example for a component made of polyamide 6 with 30% glass fiber for use as an intake manifold:
PA6-GF30 as per VW 50134 – PA6-7-A – intake
 Page 3
VW 50134: 2015-09

3 Requirements

3.1 Basic requirements

Approval of first supply and changes as per Volkswagen standard VW 01155
Avoidance of hazardous substances as per VW 91101.
The tests must be carried out on specimens made from finished parts. If, due to the geometry, the
tests cannot be performed on the component, data sheets or measurements performed on test
panels may be referenced.
Characteristic values measured on finished parts can deviate from standard specifications. The de‐
viations must be agreed upon with the appropriate Materials Engineering department and, if neces‐
sary, noted on the drawing.

3.2 Appearance
The surface of finished parts must be free of flaws and processing defects (voids, cracks, cold
shuts, etc.).
For parts that are subject to high loads or are especially critical to the function, an examination with
regard to porosity and appearance as per VW 50093 must be performed.
After positive test results, the measured characteristic values must be recorded on the drawing.
The appropriate Design Engineering department decides, together with the Materials Engineering
department, on the necessity for porosity specifications.
The parts must permit proper assembly. There must not be any functional risks or risks of injury for
assembly workers due to burrs or residual foreign matter becoming loose.

3.3 Manufacture
The materials are intended for injection molding and blow molding processes.
If the PA6 is not modified for impact resistance, the use of homogeneous regrind from the first ma‐
chining process is permissible up to a content of 30 weight percent. Components must be validated
with the maximum regrind percentage to be expected.
The use of recycled materials, i.e., raw materials made from non-processing sources, is permissi‐
ble only after consultation with the appropriate Design Engineering and Materials Engineering de‐
partments, and must be explicitly noted on the drawing.

3.4 Conditioning
A distinction is made between the "dry" and "conditioned" conditioning states.
Specimens from components in the "dry" state have been dried until their weight remains constant
(see section 7.2) and continuously stored in a dry atmosphere before the testing.
Specimens from components in the "conditioned" state are specimens in the "dry" state that are
conditioned in a water-tight bag filled with water at 70 °C until the equilibrium state in table 1
and table 2 is achieved. Deviating from this procedure, the accelerated conditioning of specimens
as per DIN EN ISO 1110 is also possible.
Page 4
VW 50134: 2015-09

3.5 Evaluation of the measurement results

The required numerical values apply to each individual measurement.

4 Material requirements
Special materials requirements (e.g., lightfastness, flammability, emissions) must be taken from the
drawing.

4.1 Workmanship
See section 7.1.
No through-thickness cracks or damage that could impair the function are permissible on the com‐
ponent.

4.2 Moisture content

See section 7.2.
It must always be ensured that components are sufficiently conditioned so as to guarantee proper
installation.
For components that are clipped, latched, or installed with snap-on hooks during installation, the
moisture content must correspond to the equilibrium state specified in table 1; see also section 3.2.
Deviations must be noted on the drawing and are permissible only after consultation with the ap‐
propriate Design Engineering and Materials Engineering departments.

4.3 Melting temperature

See section 7.3.
The melting temperature must be > 215 °C.

4.4 Elevated-temperature behavior

The components must not show any change in shape or surface condition after heat aging and
subsequent cooling; see section 7.4. The dimensional change in length and width must not exceed
0.5%.

4.5 Low-temperature behavior

The finished parts must be fully functional at low temperatures; see section 7.5. They must remain
free of cracks and other damage after being subsequently heated up to room temperature.
 Page 5
VW 50134: 2015-09

5 Material requirements
The required properties as a function of the filler must be obtained from table 1 and table 2.

Table 1
Grade PA6-1-A PA6-2-A PA6-3-A PA6-4-A PA6-5-A
No. Property Unit Requirement
1 Material PA6 PA6 PA6-GF15 PA6-GF10-MD20 PA6-GF20-MD25
2 Stabilization/modification Heat-stabilized Modified to resist im‐ Heat-stabilized Heat-stabilized Heat-stabilized
pacts, heat-stabilized
3 Marking > PA6 < > PA6 < > PA6-GF15 < > PA6- > PA6-
as per German Association of the Auto‐ (GF10 + MD20) < (GF20 + MD25) <
motive Industry VDA 260
4 Glass fiber content, Weight per‐ 0 0 15 ±2
e.g., as per DIN EN ISO 1172 cent
30 ±2 45 ±3
5 Mineral content, Weight per‐ 0 0 0
e.g., as per DIN EN ISO 1172 cent
6 Density g/cm3 1.13 ±0.02 As per sample 1.23 ±0.02 As per sample As per sample
as per DIN EN ISO 1183-1
7 Moisture content in the equilibrium state Weight per‐ 3 ±0.5 2.5 ±0.5 2.6 ±0.5 1.7 ±0.5 1.4 ±0.5
in standard atmosphere as per cent
VW 50554 – 23/50-2
8 Notched impact strength as per DIN EN ISO 179-1/1eA and section 7.6
8.1 Dry kJ/m2 ≥3.0 ≥16 ≥5 ≥2.0 ≥4
8.2 Conditioned kJ/m2 ≥20 ≥40 ≥10 ≥8.0 ≥5
9 Yield stress as per DIN EN ISO 527-1, DIN EN ISO 527-2, and section 7.7
9.1 Dry MPa ≥70 ≥40
- - -
see section 3.4
Page 6
VW 50134: 2015-09

Grade PA6-1-A PA6-2-A PA6-3-A PA6-4-A PA6-5-A

No. Property Unit Requirement
9.2 Conditioned MPa ≥40 ≥25
- - -
see section 3.4
10 Fracture stress as per DIN EN ISO 527-1, DIN EN ISO 527-2, and section 7.7
10.1 Dry MPa ≥80 ≥100 ≥120
- -
see section 3.4
10.2 Conditioned MPa ≥50 ≥60 ≥70
- -
see section 3.4
11 Elongation at break as per DIN EN ISO 527-1, DIN EN ISO 527-2, and section 7.7
11.1 Dry % ≥10 ≥25 ≥2.5 ≥2 ≥2.0
see section 3.4
Conditioned % ≥20 ≥40 ≥6 ≥5 ≥5
11.2 see section 3.4

Table 2
Grade PA6-6-A PA6-7-A PA6-8-A PA6-9-A PA6-10-A
No. Property Unit Requirement
1 Material PA6-GF25 PA6-GF30 PA6-GF35 PA6-GF40 PA6-GF50
2 Stabilization/modification Heat-stabilized Heat-stabilized Heat-stabilized Heat-stabilized Heat-stabilized
3 Marking > PA6-GF25 < > PA6-GF30 < > PA6-GF35 < > PA6-GF40 < > PA6-GF50 <
as per VDA 260
4 Glass fiber content, Weight per‐ 25 ±2 30 ±2 35 ±3 40 ±3 50 ±3
e.g., as per DIN EN ISO 1172 cent
5 Mineral content, Weight per‐ 0 0 0 0 0
e.g., as per DIN EN ISO 1172 cent
 Page 7
VW 50134: 2015-09

Grade PA6-6-A PA6-7-A PA6-8-A PA6-9-A PA6-10-A

No. Property Unit Requirement
3
6 Density g/cm 1.32 ±0.03 1.36 ±0.03 1.41 ±0.03 1.45 ±0.03 1.55 ±0.03
as per DIN EN ISO 1183-1
7 Moisture content in the equilibrium state Weight per‐ 2.1 ±0.5 2.0 ±0.5 1.9 ±0.5 1.5 ±0.5 1.5 ±0.5
in standard atmosphere as per cent
VW 50554 – 23/50-2
8 Notched impact strength as per DIN EN ISO 179-1/1eA and section 7.6
8.1 Dry kJ/m2 ≥8 ≥10 ≥11 ≥13 ≥15
8.2 Conditioned kJ/m2 ≥12 ≥17 ≥18 ≥20 ≥20
9 Yield stress as per DIN EN ISO 527-1, DIN EN ISO 527-2, and section 7.7
9.1 Dry MPa
- - - - -
see section 3.4
9.2 Conditioned MPa
- - - - -
see section 3.4
10 Fracture stress as per DIN EN ISO 527-1, DIN EN ISO 527-2, and section 7.7
10.1 Dry MPa ≥125 ≥140 ≥150 ≥160 ≥205
see section 3.4
10.2 Conditioned MPa ≥80 ≥90 ≥100 ≥110 ≥130
see section 3.4
11 Elongation at break as per DIN EN ISO 527-1, DIN EN ISO 527-2, and section 7.7
11.1 Dry % ≥2.5 ≥2.5 ≥2.5 ≥2.5 ≥2.0
see section 3.4
Conditioned % ≥5 ≥5 ≥5 ≥4 ≥3.5
11.2 see section 3.4
Page 8
VW 50134: 2015-09

6 Requirements dependent on the place of use

For some places of use, additional requirements must be met; see table 3 to table 6.

Table 3 – Oil
No. Property Unit Requirement
1 Behavior in test oil No change in shape or surface condition that
as per Technical Supply Specifica‐ impairs the function
tion TL 52185 or as per drawing
specification;
see section 7.10
1.1 Change (as a percentage) in me‐ % ≤ 50
chanical properties in comparison to
as-received condition (conditioned
yield stress, conditioned elongation
at break, conditioned notched im‐
pact strength)
1.2 Change in weight % <2
2 Properties after heat aging at No change in shape or surface condition that
150 °C for 1 000 h; impairs the function
see section 7.9
2.1 Change (as a percentage) in me‐ % ≤ 50
chanical properties in comparison to
as-received condition (dry yield
stress, dry elongation at break, dry
notched impact strength)

Normally, heat aging must be performed at 150 °C for the intake area of application. A different
temperature may be required as per a pertinent drawing note (see table 4).
Table 4 – Intake
No. Property Unit Requirement
1 Behavior when exposed to blowby No embrittlement or change in shape or sur‐
gas constituents after 2 cycles as face condition that impairs the function
per Test Specification PV 3936
1.1 Change (as a percentage) in me‐ % ≤ 50
chanical properties compared to the
as-received condition (conditioned
yield stress/fracture stress, condi‐
tioned elongation at break, condi‐
tioned notched impact strength)
 Page 9
VW 50134: 2015-09

No. Property Unit Requirement

2 Properties after heat aging at No change in shape or surface condition that
150 °C for 1 000 h or as per drawing impairs the function
specification;
see section 7.9
2.1 Change (as a percentage) in me‐ % ≤ 50
chanical properties compared to the
as-received condition (dry yield
stress/fracture stress, dry elongation
at break, dry notched impact
strength)

For application in the fan wheel area, PA6-GF30 is preferred. Different materials must be agreed
upon with the appropriate Materials Engineering department.

Table 5 – Fan wheel

No. Property Unit Requirement
1 Fan wheel weld line strength N/mm2 Dry Conditioned
as per DIN EN ISO 178 ≥120 ≥105
and section 7.13
2 Properties after heat aging for 500 h No change in shape or surface condition that
and 1 000 h at 150 °C; impairs the function
see section 7.9
2.1 Change (as a percentage) in me‐ % ≤50 –
chanical properties compared to the
as-received condition (dry yield
stress, dry elongation at break, dry
weld line strength)

For application in the radiator fan mounting frame area, PA6-GF30 is preferred. Different materials
must be agreed upon with the appropriate Materials Engineering department.

Table 6 – Radiator fan mounting frame

No. Property Unit Requirement
1 Flexural strength N/mm 2
Dry Conditioned
as per DIN EN ISO 178;
see section 7.12 ≥160 ≥120
2 Impact strength kJ/m2
as per DIN EN ISO 179-1; ≥36
see section 7.13
Page 10
VW 50134: 2015-09

No. Property Unit Requirement

3 Properties after heat aging for 500 h
No change in shape or surface condition that
and 1 000 h at 150 °C;
impairs the function
see section 7.9
3.1 Change (as a percentage) in me‐ %
chanical properties compared to the
as-received condition (dry yield
≤ 50
stress, dry elongation at break, dry
flexural strength, dry impact
strength)

7 Notes on testing

7.1 Workmanship
Aging of at least 3 complete finished parts in a stress-relieving medium [e.g., solution with 35%
ZnCl2 (soldering fluid)]. Aging is performed for 48 hours at room temperature. After aging in the
medium, the specimens must be rinsed with tap water and then dried for 24 h at 70 °C. They are
then evaluated.

7.2 Moisture content

The moisture content is determined by drying the specimens in the (vacuum) oven. At least
3 specimens must be taken from 3 components; these specimens must be weighed with an accu‐
racy of 0.01 g and then dried at 80 °C until a constant weight is achieved. Before the second
weighing, the specimens must be cooled down (to 23 ±2) °C in a desiccator.
The water content can also be determined with commercial moisture meters.

7.3 Melting temperature

The melting temperature must be determined by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
as per DIN EN ISO 11357-1.

7.4 Elevated-temperature behavior

Heat-aging test as per DIN 53497, method B, performed on at least one complete finished part.
The aging time is (22 ±2) h at the aging temperature (150 ±5) °C, unless otherwise specified in the
drawing or release.

7.5 Low-temperature behavior

At least 2 finished parts that have been conditioned in a standard atmosphere must be aged at
(-40 ±1) °C for (22 ±2) h.

7.6 Notched impact strength

The notched bar impact bending test (impact on narrow side) as per DIN EN ISO 179-1/1eA must
be performed. If the standard specimen size cannot be prepared from the component, a specimen
with length: (50 ±1) mm, width: (10 ±0.2) mm, thickness as in finished product (up to max. 4 mm);
 Page 11
VW 50134: 2015-09

notch type: V-notch; support spacing (support width): 40 mm; test equipment: pendulum impact
tester 4J may be used.

7.7 Tensile test

The yield stress and the elongation at break must be determined in a tensile test as
per DIN EN ISO 527-1 and DIN EN ISO 527-2, specimen 5A; test speed: 10 mm/min.

7.8 Weld line strength

Specimens are taken from the component's weld line area and must be tested in a tensile test
(section 7.7) and notched bar impact test (section 7.6). The weld line must be perpendicular to the
direction of force/impact.

7.9 Heat aging

For heat aging, 1 complete finished part and specimens (at least 3 each for each subsequent me‐
chanical test) must be aged in a forced-air oven for 1 000 h at the required temperature as
per DIN 53497. After aging, the test specimens must be stored in a desiccator, unless they are
subjected to the mechanical tests immediately afterwards.

7.10 Oil immersion aging

Before the oil immersion aging, the specimens (at least 3 each for the subsequent tensile test and
notched bar impact test) must be weighed with an accuracy of 0.01 g. These specimens must then
be aged in the defined oil at 130 °C for 504 h. The specimens must be aged in closed (not airtight)
containers (e.g., watch-glass or aluminum foil pressed over the edges). The specimens must be
positioned at least 3 cm above the bottom of the container. A second set of specimens must be
aged in the corresponding oil for 96 h at 150 °C. After removal from the oil, the specimens must be
dried with a cloth, weighed again, and then subjected to the mechanical tests.

7.11 Flexural strength

The flexural stress must be determined at maximum load as per DIN EN ISO 178.
Specimen with length: (50 ±1) mm; width: (10 ±0.2) mm; thickness as in the finished product (up to
a max. of 4 mm); support spacing: 40 mm; radius of support: 1.0 mm to 1.2 mm; test speed:
(14 ±1) mm/min.
Specimens taken from molded parts with one-sided grain must be placed on the test machine sup‐
ports so that the grained side faces the loading edge.

7.12 Fan wheel weld line strength

See figure 1.
The flexural stress must be determined at maximum load as per DIN EN ISO 178.
Specimen with length: (60 ±1) mm; width: (10 ±0.2) mm; thickness as in the finished product (up to
a max. of 4 mm); support spacing: 40 mm; radius of support: 1.0 mm to 1.2 mm; test speed:
(14 ±1) mm/min.
The weld line of the outer fan ring is located at the center of the specimen. The curvature of the
specimen points upward and the weld line is at the force application point.
Page 12
VW 50134: 2015-09

Figure 1 – Orientation of the flexural specimens; the dashed line indicates the joining zone.
(Schematic photo; this is not necessarily the component to be tested.)

7.13 Impact strength

The impact strength test (impact on broadside) as per DIN EN ISO 179-1 must be performed.
If the standard specimen size cannot be prepared from the component, a specimen with length:
(50 ±1) mm, width: (10 ±0.2) mm, thickness as in finished product (up to max. 4 mm); support
spacing (support width): 40 mm; test equipment: pendulum impact tester 4J may be used.
Specimens taken from finished parts with one-sided grain must be positioned on the supports of
the pendulum impact tester with the grained side facing the hammer edge.
The specimens must be tested in a "dry" conditioning state.

8 Applicable documents
The following documents cited in this standard are necessary to its application.
Some of the cited documents are translations from the German original. The translations of Ger‐
man terms in such documents may differ from those used in this standard, resulting in terminologi‐
cal inconsistency.
Standards whose titles are given in German may be available only in German. Editions in other
languages may be available from the institution issuing the standard.

PV 3936 Polymer Materials; Testing the Resistance to Constituents of Blowby

Gases
TL 52185 Reference Engine Oil SAE 5W-30 for Testing of Compatibility with Re‐
spect to Elastomer Materials; Lubricant Requirements
VW 01155 Vehicle Parts; Approval of First Supply and Changes
VW 50093 Porosity of Castings; Requirements
VW 50554 Standard Atmospheres and Room Temperatures; Requirements on
Standard Atmospheres
VW 91101 Environmental Standard for Vehicles; Vehicle Parts, Materials, Operat‐
ing Fluids; Avoidance of Hazardous Substances
 Page 13
VW 50134: 2015-09

DIN 53497 Testing of Plastics; Hot Storage Test on Mouldings Made of Thermo‐
plastic Moulding Materials without External Mechanical Stressing
DIN EN ISO 1110 Plastics - Polyamides - Accelerated conditioning of test specimens
DIN EN ISO 11357-1 Plastics - Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) - Part 1: General prin‐
ciples
DIN EN ISO 1172 Textile-glass-reinforced plastics - Prepregs, moulding compounds and
laminates - Determination of the textile-glass and mineral-filler content;
calcination methods
DIN EN ISO 1183-1 Plastics - Methods for determining the density of non-cellular plastics -
Part 1: Immersion method, liquid pyknometer method and titration meth‐
od
DIN EN ISO 178 Plastics - Determination of flexural properties
DIN EN ISO 179-1 Plastics - Determination of Charpy impact properties - Part 1: Non-instru‐
mented impact test
DIN EN ISO 527-1 Plastics - Determination of tensile properties - Part 1: General principles
DIN EN ISO 527-2 Plastics - Determination of tensile properties - Part 2: Test conditions for
moulding and extrusion plastics
VDA 260 Components of motor vehicles - Marking of material