Nylon Machining

A Guide to Nylon Machined Parts: Properties, Applications and Design Considerations

What is Nylon? Black Nylon Machined Part
Main Attributes of Nylon
Nylon Machining Service
Reasons to Choose Penta
Components, Applications and Industries
Notes for Designers
Nylon Machinability
Other Names
UK Stock Sizes
Technical Properties
Further Reading

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.

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.

Main Attributes of Nylon:

The various grades of Nylon offer slightly different attributes. The following attributes are representative of grades 6 and 66:

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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

Nylon Machining Service - Nylon Milling & Turning

Penta Precision supplies highly accurate Nylon machined parts throughout the UK. Customers turn to us when they have had quality and delivery issues with their existing suppliers and need a reliable precision machining partner.

We communicate well with customers, we take care with the projects placed with us and we are consistent in our service delivery. See our Proven Process page to find out more about our winning formula.

"Penta Precision has provided excellent service to the company. They provide a friendly, professional and prompt service to our business's needs. Penta always meets our dimensioning requirements for bespoke products on time. I would recommend their service to anyone looking for machining." Matthew - Process Engineer

Penta Precision provides the following Nylon machining services:

CNC milling – prototypes & large batch runs
CNC turning – prototypes & large batch runs
Insert installation
Part marking
Manual milling
Manual turning
Machining design advice
Machining drawing service

Reasons to Choose Penta:

ISO 9001:2015 quality assurance
Consistent high quality machined parts
Reliable delivery dates - our track record speaks volumes
Exceptional customer service and communication
Machining design advice
Extensive experience in our field

We are regularly machining Nylon for customers all over the UK. Our customers depend on our machining expertise as well as our outstanding delivery performance, to machine the highest quality parts. If you'd like to discuss how we can help you with your Nylon machining requirements, here's a list of ways to get in touch with us.

Nylon Components, Applications & Industries

Here are some examples of the industries and components for which Nylon is appropriate. This is by no means an exhaustive list. Please do get in touch if you are considering using Nylon and we can talk through your project with you.

Typical Components & Applications:

Food processing machinery components

Bearings

Bushings

Wheels

Rollers

Seals

Housings

Gears

Nuts

Washers

Food packaging

Industry Examples:

Electronics

Automotive and mechanical engineering

Aerospace

Food technology

Packaging

Construction

Notes 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.

Nylon Machinability

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.

Similar or obsolete designation and trade names

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

Nylon 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.

Nylon Technical 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	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^-5K^-1)	12	11	23-60°C, long	DIN EN ISO 11359-1;2
Thermal expansion (CLTE) (10^-5K^-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	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	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.