Home » Engineering plastics and rubbers » Nylon

Nylon

Nylon (PA), or polyamide, is a versatile and widely used thermoplastic belonging to the family of synthetic polymers. Nylon is characterized by excellent mechanical properties, such as high tensile strength, abrasion resistance and good chemical resistance, which is why it is used in many industrial and consumer products.

Originally a brand name, Nylon is now often used as a generic term for different types of polyamides. The most common types are PA6 and PA66, but there are also variants such as PA11 and PA12, which are of organic origin.

Technical description

Nylon is a polymer composed of long chains of repeating units formed by the polymerization of diamines and dicarboxylic acids. The material has a high melting point, a good strength-to-weight ratio, and good processing capabilities. Nylon is able to withstand both mechanical and thermal stresses well, making it ideal for applications from mechanical parts to textile products.

Nylon’s hydration is an important feature: it absorbs water from the environment, which can affect its mechanical properties, such as strength and ductility.

Technical characteristics

Specific gravity

~ 1.14 – 1.15 g/cm³

Tensile strength

~ 70 – 100 MPa (depending on species and operations)

Modulus of elasticity

~ 2.5 – 3.5 GPa

Elongation at break

~ 20% – 50%

Wear resistance

Very good, especially when combined with additives such as glass fiber

Melting point

~ 215 – 265 °C (depending on the specific grade)

Chemical resistance

Good – resistant to many solvents, acids and bases, but may be affected by strong oxidizing agents

Temperature range

-40 °C to +120 °C (depending on species and processing)

Coefficient of friction

Medium (can be reduced by adding additives such as oil or fiberglass)

UV resistance

Moderate, may degrade without UV stabilizers

Typical Applications

Industrial and Mechanical Parts:
Gears, bearings, and timing belts – Nylon has excellent wear resistance and low friction, making it ideal for moving parts.
Wear-resistant parts such as pump parts, engine parts, and connectors in the automotive and aerospace industries.
Textiles and Apparel:
Clothing such as nylon fabrics for sportswear, underwear, and raincoats because of their strength, lightness, and durability.
Fibers used in shoes and bags because of strength and resistance to abrasion.
Electronic Applications:
Insulators and housings for electrical components because it resists chemical influences and provides electrical insulation.
Medical Applications:
Surgical suture materials and implants, because of its biocompatibility and mechanical strength.
Packaging:
Packaging materials such as films and containers that must withstand high mechanical stress.

Comparison with other plastics (such as POM, PET, PEEK):

Nylon
1. Tensile strength: 70 – 100 MPa
2. Modulus of elasticity: 2,5 – 3,5 GPa
3. Temperature range: – 40 °C till +120 °C
4. Application: Gears, bearings, textiles
POM
1. Tensile strength: 60 – 70 MPa
2. Modulus of elasticity: 2,8 – 3,3 GPa
3. Temperature range: – 40 °C till +120 °C
4. Application: Mechanical parts, bearings
PET
1. Tensile strength: 50 – 75 MPa
2. Modulus of elasticity: 2,8 – 4,0 GPa
3. Temperature range: – 40 °C till +150 °C
4. Application: Packaging, fibers, plastic bottles
PEEK
1. Tensile strength: 90 – 120 MPa
2. Modulus of elasticity: 3,6 – 4,0 GPa
3. Temperature range: – 60 °C till +250 °C
4. Application: Aerospace, medical applications

Nylon

Producttype

Technical description

Technical characteristics

Typical Applications

Comparison with other plastics (such as POM, PET, PEEK):

Get in touch

Phone

Mail

Adress

Menu

Producten

Contact