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Nylon (Polyamide, PA) Engineered Plastics

Nylon (Polyamide, PA)

Nylon is a versatile engineering thermoplastic valued for its balanced combination of strength, toughness, wear resistance, and cost efficiency. It offers higher mechanical performance than commodity plastics while remaining easier to process and more economical than many high-performance polymers.

Due to its reliability and broad property profile, nylon is widely used for structural, wear, and mechanical components across industrial, automotive, and consumer applications. It performs well in dynamic environments involving repeated motion, moderate loads, and mechanical stress.

Nylon Properties Overview

Nylon is known for its well-rounded mechanical properties rather than extreme performance in a single area. While it does not match fluoropolymers in chemical resistance or high-temperature plastics in thermal capability, nylon delivers dependable performance in a wide range of everyday engineering applications.

  • Mechanical Strength & Toughness
    • Good tensile and compressive strength
    • High toughness and resistance to fatigue
    • Suitable for load-bearing components under moderate stress
  • Wear & Friction Performance
    • Good abrasion and wear resistance
    • Performs well in gears, bushings, and sliding components
    • Can be compounded with fillers to enhance wear behavior
  • Temperature Performance
    • Typical continuous operating temperature up to 185 °F (85 °C)
    • Not suitable for sustained high-temperature service
  • Chemical Resistance
    • Resistant to oils, fuels, greases, and many solvents
    • Limited resistance to strong acids, bases, and oxidizing agents
    • Chemical compatibility should be verified for specific environments
  • Moisture Absorption
    • Absorbs moisture from the environment
    • Moisture uptake can affect mechanical properties and dimensional stability
    • Consideration required for precision applications

Nylon Plastic Properties

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Our Product Offering

  • Nylon 6
  • Nylon 66
  • Glass Filled Nylon
  • Carbon Fiber Filled Nylon

Markets Served

  • Industrial Equipment
  • Material Handling
  • Electrical & Electronics
  • Construction
  • Consumer Products

Typical Products and Applications

Products
  • Semi-finished forms: Rods, Tubes & Sheets
  • Machined structural components
  • Gears, bushings, and bearings
  • Wear pads and guides
Applications
  • Gears and sprockets
  • Bearings and bushings
  • Rollers and pulleys
  • Structural machine components
  • Electrical housings and insulators

Limitations of Nylon

  • Moisture absorption can affect dimensions and properties
  • Limited chemical resistance to strong acids and bases
  • Lower temperature capability than high-performance polymers
  • Not ideal for high-precision or high-temperature applications without modification

Nylon vs Other Materials

  • Nylon vs UHMWPE
    • Nylon offers higher stiffness and better load-bearing capability, while UHMWPE provides superior impact resistance and abrasion performance.
  • Nylon vs PTFE
    • Nylon delivers significantly higher strength and rigidity, whereas PTFE excels in chemical resistance and ultra-low friction.
  • Nylon vs Metal
    • Nylon reduces weight, noise, and corrosion in mechanical applications, but metals remain necessary for high-load and high-temperature uses.

When Should You Choose Nylon?

Nylon is typically selected when:

  • Moderate mechanical strength and toughness are required
  • Components experience wear, motion, or fatigue
  • Cost efficiency is important alongside performance
  • Weight reduction or noise reduction is desired
  • Chemical exposure is limited to oils, fuels, or greases

Frequently Asked Questions About Nylon

Is nylon suitable for load-bearing applications?

Yes. Nylon performs well in moderate load-bearing applications, especially when reinforced or lubricated grades are used.

Does nylon absorb moisture?

Yes. Nylons absorb moisture from the environment, which can affect its mechanical and dimensional properties.

Can nylon replace metal components?

In many moderate-load and wear applications, nylon can replace metal to reduce weight, noise, and corrosion.