What Is Nylon and What Is It Made Of?
Nylon is the common name for a family of synthetic polyamide polymers, first developed in the 1930s. The two grades used in plastic sheet, rod, and tube are PA6 (polyamide 6) and PA6/6 (polyamide 6,6), both offering high tensile strength, good fatigue resistance, and natural lubricity that reduces friction without external lubrication.
PA6 is more common for large-diameter rod and plate stock. PA6/6 offers a modestly higher melting point and slightly better dimensional stability for higher-temperature applications.
Key Properties of Nylon
Tensile and compressive strength: High strength relative to weight — suitable for load-bearing components that would be too heavy in metal.
Wear and abrasion resistance: Outperforms most unreinforced thermoplastics in sliding wear, with natural lubricity reducing surface wear in gears and bushings.
Temperature resistance: Continuous service to ~185°F (PA6) and ~200°F (PA6/6), with higher-rated specialty grades available.
Chemical resistance: Resistant to oils, greases, fuels, and most aliphatic hydrocarbons. Less suitable for strong acids, alkalis, and polar solvents.
Machinability: Machines cleanly with standard tooling, holds tight tolerances — one of the most practical engineering plastics for CNC work.
Weight: Approximately 1/7th the weight of steel.
One property buyers must account for: nylon absorbs moisture from the environment, causing dimensional growth and reduced stiffness. Oil-filled and glass-filled grades absorb less moisture and offer improved dimensional stability.
Nylon Grades: PA6, PA6/6, Oil-Filled, and Glass-Filled
Standard workhorse. Good balance of strength, machinability, and cost. Largest range of stock sizes. Default for general machined parts, gears, bushings, and structural components.
Higher melting point, better stiffness and creep resistance. Correct for elevated temperatures or higher sustained loads. Preferred for automotive and industrial thermal cycling.
Contains internal lubricant (MoS2 or oil). Significantly lower friction, better dry-running wear performance. Preferred for bearings, wear pads, and sliding components in automated equipment.
Reinforced with glass fibers for higher stiffness, tensile strength, and dimensional stability. Absorbs less moisture. Correct for precision components where humidity variation is a concern. More abrasive to tooling.
What Is Nylon Used For?
Nylon is particularly effective where metal components are over-specified in terms of weight, cost, or corrosion risk. For aerospace and defense programs, Plastic-Craft holds ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certifications covering the quality processes that flight-critical programs require.
What Should You Specify When Ordering?
Grade first: PA6, PA6/6, oil-filled, or glass-filled. Form next: Sheet for flat parts, rod for turned components, tube for hollow cylindrical parts.
For precision components, confirm moisture conditioning requirements. Freshly machined nylon may need conditioning before final assembly to stabilize dimensions in humid environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between PA6 and PA6/6?
Both are polyamide nylons. PA6/6 has a higher melting point, slightly better stiffness, and improved creep resistance. PA6 is more economical with wider stock availability. PA6 for general use; PA6/6 for higher temperature or load.
Does nylon absorb moisture?
Yes — causing dimensional growth and reduced stiffness. Oil-filled and glass-filled grades absorb significantly less and offer better dimensional stability in variable humidity.
What is oil-filled nylon used for?
Bearings, bushings, wear pads, and sliding components in automated equipment where external lubrication is impractical. The internal lubricant significantly reduces friction and improves dry-running wear performance.
How does nylon compare to Delrin?
Nylon offers higher impact resistance and better fatigue under dynamic loading. Delrin offers better dimensional stability and lower moisture absorption. For gears under sustained load, nylon is often preferred. For tight tolerances in variable humidity, Delrin is typically stronger.
Where can I buy nylon sheet, rod, and tube?
Plastic-Craft Products stocks PA6, PA6/6, oil-filled, and glass-filled nylon at their West Nyack, NY facility. No minimum orders. Call (845) 358-3010 or email [email protected].
Ready to Order Nylon Sheet, Rod, or Tube?
Plastic-Craft stocks PA6, PA6/6, oil-filled, and glass-filled nylon in a full range of sizes — cut to exact dimensions or machined to print with no minimum orders and ISO/AS9100D certified quality.
(845) 358-3010