What is Nylon?
Nylon refers to the group of plastics known as Polyamides. One of the most common engineering plastics in the world, it has outstanding bearing and wear properties.
Brand names include Nylatron®, Tecamid® and Nylacast®.
It is available as a homopolymer, copolymer or reinforced. It can also be pre-conditioned to reduce moisture absorption during its lifetime. Oil filled and glass filled grades are available.
Nylon can be difficult to machine due to the nature of the chips/swarf produced during the manufacturing process. We use high speed steel cutting tools over carbide as they have a sharper cutting edge. We also use the highest cutting speed and are aware of how clamping/fixturing can affect the part.
The two most common grades of Nylon are Nylon 6 and Nylon 66. The number relates to the number of methyl groups which are located on each side of the nitrogen atoms (amide groups), the difference in which subtly influences the properties of the nylon. The information on this page refers largely to Nylon 6 and 66.
You may also see Nylon referred to as:
- Nylons have many variants including: 6, 66, 6/6-6, 6/9, 6/10, 6/12, 11 and 12 to name just a few
- PA6, PA66, PA12
- Polyamide
- Ertalon 6, Ertalon 6SA, Ertalon 66 SA, Ertalon 6PLA
- Centromid 6 E
- Centromid 12 PA
- Omniamid
- Akulon
- Nylube
Main attributes
The various grades of Nylon plastics offer slightly different attributes. The following attributes are representative of grades 6 and 66:
- Provides good resistance to most chemicals – but can be attacked by powerful acids, alkalis and alcohol
- Good thermal resistance
- Low coefficient of friction
- Self-lubricating
- Highly moisture absorbent (up to 7% of weight) which can have a negative impact on dimensional stability
- Good electrical insulating properties
- High mechanical strength
- Good fatigue resistance
- Excellent wear resistance
- FDA grades available
Common Applications
- Food processing machinery & equipment
- Bearings & bushings
- Wheels
- Computer & appliance housings
- Gears & driveshafts
- Fasteners & hardware
- Packaging & containers
Note for designers
Nylon is a moisture absorbant material and will expand as a result. Designers need to allow for this when designing nylon components that will need to fit with other components.
Nylon is available in a range of colours including natural, black, white, blue, grey, ivory, red, silver and yellow.
UK stock sizes
Here are the standard stock sizes for the most commonly used Nylon tempers (Tecamid 6 & 66) in the UK. Please note we do not supply stock material, the information provided is purely for design and research purposes.
Example Nylon Stock Sizes
Stock sizes will vary depending on supplier. Please get in contact to discuss further.
Nylon 6 Plate Natural
500mm x 3000mm in thicknesses of 5-25mm
Nylon 66 Plate Natural
300mm x 3000mm and 500mm x 3000mm in thicknesses of 5-100mm
Nylon 6 Rod Natural
From 4-18mm diameter in lengths of 3000mm
Nylon 66 Rod Natural
From 4-200mm diameter in lengths of 3000mm
Nylon 6 Tube Natural
From 016-0008mm to 030/0025mm diameters in lengths of 3000m
Nylon 66 Tube Natural
From 040/0025mm to 320/0270mm diameters in lengths of 3000mm
Nylon is also available in black, blue, brown in various tempers.
Please note: some sizes may be non-stocked items and subject to minimum order quantities.
Technical properties
Mechanical properties
| Mechanical Properties | Nylon 6 | Nylon 66 | Parameter | Norm | Comment |
| Modulus of elasticity (tensile test) (MPa) | 3300 | 3500 | 1mm/min | DIN EN ISO 527-2 | Specimen
type 1b |
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | 79 | 85 | 50mm/min | DIN EN ISO 527-2 | |
| Tensile Strength at yield (MPa) | 78 | 84 | 50mm/min | DIN EN ISO 527-2 | |
| Elongation at yield (%) | 4 | 7 | 50mm/min | DIN EN ISO 527-2 | |
| Elongation at break (%) | 130 | 70 | 50mm/min | DIN EN ISO 527-2 | |
| Flexural strength (MPa) | 100 | 110 | 2mm/min | DIN EN ISO 178 | Support span 64mm, norm specimen |
| Modulus of elasticity (flexural test) (MPa) | 2900 | 3100 | - | DIN EN ISO 178 | |
| Compression strength (MPa) | 24/41 | 20/35 | 1% / 2% / 5% 5mm/min, 10 N | EN ISO 604 | Specimen 10x10x10mm |
| Compression modulus (MPa) | 2700 | 2700 | 5mm/min, 10 N | EN ISO 604 | Specimen 10x10x50mm; modulus range between 0.5 and 1% compression |
| Impact strength (Charpy) (KJ/m2) | n.b. | n.b. | max 7,5J | DIN EN ISO 179-1eU | For charpy test: support span 64mm, norm specimen. nob = not broken |
| Notched impact strength (Charpy) (KJ/m2) | 7 | 5 | max 7,5J | DIN EN ISO 179-1eA | |
| Ball indentation hardness (MPa) | 155 | 175 | - | ISO 2039-1 | Specimen in 4mm thickness |
Thermal properties
| Thermal Properties | Nylon 6 | Nylon 66 | Parameter | Norm | Comments |
| Glass transition temperature (°C) | 45 | 47 | - | DIN 53765 | |
| Melting temperature (°C) | 221 | 258 | - | DIN 53765 | |
| Service temperature (°C) | 160 | 170 | Short term | - | |
| Service temperature (°C) | 100 | 100 | Long term | - | |
| Thermal expansion (CLTE) (10-5 K-1) | 12 | 11 | 23-60°C, long | DIN EN ISO 11359-1;2 | |
| Thermal expansion (CLTE) (10-5 K-1) | 13 | 12 | 23-100°C, long | DIN EN ISO 11359-1;2 | |
| Specific heat (J/(g*K)) | 1.6 | 1.5 | - | ISO 22007-4:2008 | |
| Thermal conductivity (W/(K*m)) | 0.37 | 0.36 | - | ISO 22007-4:2008 | |
Electrical properties
| Electrical Properties | Nylon 6 | Nylon 66 | Parameter | Norm | Comments |
| Specific surface resistance (Ω) | 1014 | 1014 | Silver electrode, 23°C, 12% r.h. | DIN IEC 60093 | Specimen in 20mm thickness |
| Specific volume resistance (Ω) | 1014 | 1014 | Silver electrode, 23°C, 12% r.h. | DIN IEC 60093 | |
| Dielectric strength (kV/mm) | 31 | - | 23°C, 50% r.h. | ISO 60243-1 | Specimen in 1mm thickness |
| Resistance to tracking (CTI) (V) | 600 | - | Platin electrode, 23°C, 50% r.h., solvent A | DIN EN 60112 | |
Other properties
| Other Properties | Nylon 6 | Nylon 66 | Parameter | Norm | Comments |
| Water absorption (%) | 0.3/0.6 | 0.2/0.4 | 24h/96h (23°C) | DIN EN ISO 62 | Øca, 50mm, 1=13mm |
| Resistance to hot water/bases | (+) | (+) | - | - | (+) limited resistance |
| Resistance to weathering | (-) | (-) | - | - | (-) poor resistance |
| Flammability (UL94) | HB | HB | Corresponding to | DIN IEC 60695-11-10 | Corresponding means no listing at UL (yellow card). The information might be taken from resin, stock shape or estimation. Individual testing regarding application conditions is mandatory. |
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