Nylon 6 and Nylon 66 are both commonly used synthetic polymers known as polyamides.
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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
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.
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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.
Looking for more information on Nylon 6 vs 66? Contact your local centre and we'd be pleased to help you further!
Nylon 6 and Nylon 6/6 are common materials used in industrial applications such as gears, wear pads, cable sheaves, and sleeve and slide bearings, to name a few. While all materials in the nylon family of polymers share specific characteristics, not all nylons are the same&#;and there are essential differences between these two materials in particular (beyond the extra &#;6&#;). They are manufactured using different modes of production. Nylon 6 is produced by casting, while Nylon 6/6 is an extruded product. The physical characteristics of these plastics gives each its own distinct qualities. Selecting the one best suited for your application will result in a better outcome for your project.
Why Can&#;t I Use Nylon 6 and Nylon 6/6 Interchangeably?
Here&#;s what could happen if you select the wrong nylon for your application:
All nylon materials have melting points, but the amount of heat that Nylon 6 and Nylon 6/6 can tolerate under the real-world conditions of any specific application is different. Breakage and contamination are both a possibility when using a material that does not have the correct thermal resistance.
It&#;s important that your material has the appropriate strength and flexibility to avoid failure in your application. Having your parts fail prematurely can jeopardize the safety of your end users, require unplanned downtime for maintenance, and cause avoidable production delays.
The wrong material selection could lead to spending more than you need to on your nylon materials before you even put them into use. This can occur if you&#;re using one formulation when another would suffice (at different thicknesses and for different shapes, cast materials can actually be less expensive than extruded). Also, understanding the benefits of each nylon and how they apply to your project can save you thousands of dollars on refabrication, repairs, and replacement of parts.
Key Differences Between Nylon 6 and Nylon 6/6
First, let&#;s recognize the similarities between Nylon 6 and Nylon 6/6. Both have high mechanical strength and impact resistance, resistance to UV rays, and a lightweight feel. Now, here are notable differences between the two materials:
Nylon 6
Nylon 6 is a cast material that has a slightly lower continuous service temperature rating than Nylon 6/6 but can endure a higher combination of load and speed in bearing applications (commonly displayed by a PV rating). Nylon 6 has all of the core characteristics of any nylon polymer, including stiffness, toughness, excellent mechanical dampening, and great insulation qualities. Cast nylon has the highest rate of absorption of all the PA formulations and therefore may not be the best choice in wet environments. It can be easily enhanced with additives like glass fiber and other compounds and is most often less expensive than Nylon 6/6.
Nylon 6/6
Nylon 6/6 shares many of the same characteristics as other nylon polymers, including Nylon 6. The significant differences between the two come down to how stiff and durable they are. Nylon 6/6 stands apart from Nylon 6 in a few major ways that you should consider when it comes to purchasing material for your project:
Continuous service temperature can best be explained as the temperature above which significant and permanent degradation of the plastic occurs with prolonged exposure. Nylon 6/6 has a continuous service temperature of 210°F, slightly higher than Nylon 6 at 200°F.
Nylon 6/6 is more resistant to acids than Nylon 6, making it better suited for hazardous projects because it can withstand exposure to harsh chemicals. Both cast and extruded nylons should be considered as displaying &#;Good&#; chemical resistance, not &#;Excellent,&#; and certainly not &#;Inert,&#; but for the price point, they perform better than commodity plastics.
Best-selling Nylon 6/6 varieties at Cope Plastics include
Nylon 101
,
SUSTAMID 66
,
Nylatron GS
,
SUSTAMID MoS2
,
Nylatron GF30
.
Find the Right Nylon for You
The process of choosing the right material for your application is critical to the success of your project. To find the ideal material for your application and gain more peace of mind, head to our website to use our simple and easy online Mechanical Material Selector or contact a Cope material expert directly for advice. Our team is waiting to answer your questions and help you succeed! Call us at 1-800-851- or send an to to get started.
Note: All of our evaluations in this article are based on the virgin formulations of Nylon 6 & Nylon 6/6. There are many custom formulations of both products that can be utilized to meet our customers&#; specific needs.
Want more information on Dipped Nylon 6 Chafer Fabric? Feel free to contact us.