Nylon 6/6 Plastic Material & Machining
FDA Compliant & USDA approved, versatile material
As a type of thermoplastic polymer, many know Nylon 6/6 as a polyamide with a long list of benefits due to its molecular structure. As a product of the polymerization process between hexamethylene diamine and adipic acid, its repeating amide linkages give it a high melting point, low friction, electrical insulating properties, and several other advantages. Due to these, Nylon 6/6 is one of the most widely used nylons for machining in the USA.
Engineers and designers note that Nylon 6/6 can replace materials ranging from steel to rubber in a variety of applications as its strength and durability outlast other materials for tough use. It's particularly popular in the aerospace industry where it's used in bearings, air intake manifolds, and other parts.
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Plastic Machining with Nylon 6/6 Plastic transcript
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More about Nylon 6/6 Material & Machining
Key Facts about Nylon 6/6
- Good electrical insulating properties
- Excellent strength and durability
- Superb wear and impact resistance
- Good dimensional stability
- Noteworthy electrical insulation properties
- High melting point and good heat resistance
- Great resistance to alkalis and organic chemicals
- Operates with or without lubrication
- Non-abrasive to other materials
- Easily moldable and versatile
- Some grades FDA compliant and USDA approved
| Grade | Product Characteristics | Common Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Nylon 6/6 | Strong, stiff, high melting point, low friction, good abrasion resistance | Aerospace components, bearings, wheel, air intake manifolds |
Properties & Characteristics
Since its introduction in 1946, Nylon 6/6 has become the most widely used nylon in American industry because of the several premium properties the resin offers. Designers often choose Nylon 6/6 because of its high tensile strength, wear, and impact resistance while still keeping dimensional stability under intense forceful environments. It also holds well against wear, friction, and abrasion, adding onto a product's longevity. It not only serves under these tough conditions but also in applications involving high heat. The resin has the highest melting point of any unmodified nylon processed by conventional extrusion techniques, typically lasting up to 265°C (509°F) while still remaining stable. This also grants it high heat resistance and advantages in environments with elevated heat exposure.
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When it comes to chemical resistance, the material has great resistance to some types but not so much to others. Nylon 6/6 has great resistance to oils, solvents, and most alkalis. However, we strongly recommend considering another material if the product needs resistance against chemicals that fall into acids as it wears down the bonds of the material. We also do not recommend this material for products that will come in contact with bleach or bleach-like chemicals.
Nylon 6/6 can replace such vastly different materials because its properties lie between those of rubber and steel. This combination of properties rather than a single area of superiority makes Nylon 6/6 incredibly useful for many different applications. That breadth of use has led to its broad acceptance in diverse industries, including food processing, industrial machining, and electronics.
Nylon 6/6 was the first nylon material available in rod, sheet, and tube form for industrial use. That availability has brought about its production in a wide range of forms and sizes to meet applicable specifications to military and defense among several other associated industries.
Controlled Fluidics uses several varieties of Nylon, including:
- 30% glass fiber reinforced Nylon 6/6 rod up to 3’’ diameter
- Nylon ST801 (“Super Tough”) rod up to 2’’ diameter
- UV stabilized Nylon 6/6 plate up to 1’’ thick
- UV stabilized Nylon 6/6 rod up to 3.5’’ diameter