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Manufacturers have considerable options when it comes to selecting material to create nonmetallic stamped parts. Nylon is becoming increasingly popular because of its versatility, especially in nonmetallic washers. With its many product variations, nylon is exceptionally well-suited for use in a range of industries. The material, in its different forms, is ubiquitous in food processing equipment, household appliances, machinery components, and more.
Nylon 6 is a foundational material on which Nylon 6/6 and Nylon MDS are based. Each is perfect for its own application and an outstanding substitute for metal.
Nylon 6 is resistant to abrasion and has high tensile and impact strength, machinability, and elasticity. Its absorption capacity actually increases the more moisture it absorbs. Nylon 6 can be mixed with glass or carbon fibers to improve its performance, and it is non-toxic.
Nylon 6/6 is composed of a molecular structure of higher order than Nylon 6, heightening Nylon 6&#;s positive characteristics: higher tensile strength and stiffness, better dimensional stability, and a higher melting point.
Nylon 6/6 has a high lubricity and resistance to hydrocarbons; and exceptionally balanced strength, ductility, and heat resistance. As strong as it is independently, adding fillers, fibers, lubricants, and impact modifiers can increase Nylon 6/6&#;s strength times five and stiffness times ten. Its wide processing window allows for materials to form complex shapes with thick or thin walls, as well.
Nylon MDS is next in the progression, and last in our short list. It is a version of Nylon 6/6 with the addition of fine particles of MDS. This addition is critical because it improves the load-bearing capacity of the material while preserving the impact resistance of nylon.
It has a self-lubrication level comparable to that of PFTE, which means that the overall service life and wear resistance of Nylon MDS is exceptionally high. In addition to its cost-efficiency, Nylon MDS has superior toughness and durability, and is therefore used for parts that are exposed to high mechanical stresses.
It&#;s important to remember that these are only a few of the many options Nylon provides; it is frequently used in other industries for additional applications. Our clients for Nylon washers fall into the aerospace, automotive, construction, marine, and plumbing industries.
New Process Fibre can effectively produce the quality parts mentioned above, as well as custom stamped gasket spacers, for less investment than metal alternatives. To learn more about our nonmetallic stamping capabilities or to speak with a representative, contact us.
Nylon 6 and Nylon 66 are both commonly used synthetic polymers known as polyamides.
The numbers represent the amount and variant of the carbon atoms in the chemical structure from which they are formed.
For example:
Nylon 6 is created from caprolactam, which consists of 6 carbon atoms, while nylon 66 is produced from adipic acid, which has 6, and hexamethylene diamine, which also has 6.
Most nylons, including 6 and 66 are semi-crystalline and possess good strength and durability and are ideal for demanding projects.
Nylon 66 was discovered at the Du Pont Company in the s, giving the world the first synthetic fibre.
This was quickly introduced into the commercial arena and became the backbone of the new synthetic fibre industry.
Following this in , nylon 6 as it was to be known, was created in Germany by Paul Schlack.
Both fibres have become highly important in today&#;s fibre trade, and their uses and applications continue to be discovered and improved.
The properties and variations within commodity plastics, and in this case nylons, are not as stark as they would be with, say, steels.
Having said that, when we begin to subtly alter the underlying structure and its fillers and additives, many more commodity and specialist grades are achievable creating a wider range of properties and as a result, a broader scope of application.
As polyamides, while having their own defined benefits, they do also share many core performance characteristics.
So, while maintaining these core property values, they do still provide different attributes.
Nylon 6
Nylon 66
Resistance to Hydrocarbons
Mould Shrinkage*
Higher Shrinkage
Impact Resistance
Easiness To Colour
Less
Eye-Catching
Water Absorption Speed
Recyclability Potential
Molecular Mobility
Elastic Recovery
Dye Affinity
Crystalline
Less
Heat Deflection Temperature
Melting Point
(215° - 220°c)
(250° - 265°c)
Chemical Acid Resistance
Rigidity
Colour-Fastness
Temperature Resistance
Ability to clean
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Elastic Modulus
Internal Structure
Less compact
Polymerization Formation
Open Ring
Moisture Regain
4 - 4.5%
4 - 4.5%
Monomer Requirements
2
Density
1.2 g/ml
Degree of Polymerization
200
Most notable of these distinctions is mould shrinkage.
Nylon 6's lower mould shrinkage gives more assurity of accurate dimensions for all manufactured goods.
Whereas the greater mould shrinkage of Nylon 66 means that when it is exposed to cooler air in solidification, its material shape will have more susceptibility to alteration after processing, which must be factored in.
Other highly relevant differences are their relative water absorption rate and heat deflection values.
Nylon 6 has higher water absorption and lower heat deflection temperature, and as such is less suited to applications where high-temperature water is present.
Nylons take their place among the engineering plastics due to a valuable combination of strength, rigidity and toughness.
Applications vary from gears, door handles, bearings, brushes, sprockets, power tool housing and even bicycle wheels, to name just a few.
When considering using nylon for a project, a vital factor is that nylons do absorb moisture, which can alter its properties and thus, its dimensional stability.
To offset this, a form of reinforcement, often glass, can be introduced to create an incredibly strong and impact resistant material.
Nylon 6 excels in damper conditions, having better impact strength and flex fatigue than nylon 66.
It can also be processed at a lower temperature and is less crystalline in structure, meaning mould shrinkage is reduced.
It is also available in transparent grades.
However, Nylon 6 does have the highest level of absorption of any nylon, showing dimensional instability and fluctuating mechanical and electrical performance, some of which can be countered by alloying with low-density polyethylene.
As a result of all of this, Nylon 6 tends to be used for components requiring higher impact strength than nylon 66, but where higher yield strength is not a prerequisite.
Nylon 6 can be used in a host of varying applications, including:
Nylon 66 is the most commonly used of all the nylon groups:
Without fillers, it retains strength across the widest range of temperatures and the highest level of moisture exposure than any other nylon.
It also exhibits good abrasion resistance and the lowest permeability to mineral oils, gas and fluorocarbon refrigerants.
Nylon 66 is also reported to have better chemical resistance to saturated calcium chloride, and many reports suggest that 6/6 has better weathering properties too.
Nylon 66 is also a popular material for electrical components, and as a replacement for metals in die-cast hand tool bodies.
Another significant advantage is its Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) compared to Nylon 6. Therefore, Nylon 66 is clearly a great choice in wet conditions, but not so much when dry.
Nylon 66 has high moisture absorption, low impact strength, and poor ductility. It is also the most susceptible to UV penetration and oxidative degradation.
Nylon 66 is often found in:
It is important to note that both of these nylon groups have a lower resistance to weak acids than 6/10, 6/11 and 6/12. And, that ALL nylons will substantially degrade when exposed to fermented 15% ethanol gas.
Processing method, aesthetics, and mechanical characteristics must all be taken into account when assessing the right nylon for a project.
Nylon 6 for example, is a great choice if a lightweight Engineering Plastic is a prerequisite. It has good insulation properties, and damping values, as well as good toughness, rigidity and hardness.
Nylon 6 is also the standout choice if resistance to high impact and internal stresses are required and if aesthetics are a factor. Its lustrous look and ease of colouring make it the more attractive option on the eye.
Nylon 6 is also an ideal choice for applications in the automotive industry, as well as military and industrial components, commonly used for firearms, engines, gears and so on.
It is important to note, however, that Nylon 6 is not the right option where the high water temperature is a factor due to its high water absorption and lower heat deflection rate.
Here, Nylon 66 would be a better choice.
In contrast, Nylon 66 should be utilized where a high performing engineering plastic is needed in higher temperature environments.
Its greater rigidity and good tensile modulus make it a fantastic material for applications that need to last longer over repeated performance, such as friction bearings, tire ropes or radiator caps.
There are also many more nylons to consider that each has different performance advantages and property values, so it can be seen that within the plethora of nylons, selecting the right one is often a case of making a favourable compromise.
For this reason, we advise seeking expert advice before putting pen to paper on any nylon-based project.
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