Overview
PA6 (Polyamide 6, Nylon 6) is one of the most widely used engineering thermoplastics, offering an excellent balance of strength, toughness, wear resistance, chemical resistance, machinability, and cost-effectiveness.
Compared with PA66, PA6 provides better impact resistance, improved toughness, and easier processing, while maintaining excellent mechanical performance. Due to its versatility, PA6 is extensively used for machined components, injection molded parts, structural elements, and wear-resistant applications.
PA6 is widely used in:
- Gears and Bearings
- Bushings and Rollers
- Automotive Components
- Industrial Machinery Parts
- Conveyor Systems
- Electrical Components
- Consumer Products
- Structural Engineering Parts
Because of its combination of durability and affordability, PA6 remains one of the most popular engineering plastics worldwide.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Designation | PA6 |
| Full Name | Polyamide 6 |
| Common Name | Nylon 6 |
| Material Family | Engineering Thermoplastic |
| Density | 1.13–1.15 g/cm³ |
| Appearance | Natural, Black, Colored |
| Typical Manufacturing Methods | Injection Molding, CNC Machining, Extrusion |
| Standard Forms | Rod, Sheet, Tube, Pellets |
Chemical Composition
PA6 is produced through polymerization of caprolactam.
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Polyamide 6 Polymer | Structural Matrix |
| Stabilizers | Thermal Stability |
| Lubricants (Optional) | Wear Resistance |
| Reinforcements (Optional) | Strength Enhancement |
Mechanical Properties
Dry Condition
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 70–85 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 60–80 MPa |
| Elongation at Break | 40–80% |
| Flexural Strength | 90–120 MPa |
| Flexural Modulus | 2.3–3.0 GPa |
| Hardness | Rockwell R110–120 |
| Izod Impact Strength | 80–180 J/m |
Typical Mechanical Performance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Toughness | Excellent |
| Wear Resistance | Excellent |
| Fatigue Resistance | Excellent |
| Impact Resistance | Excellent |
PA6 generally offers higher impact resistance than PA66.
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.13–1.15 g/cm³ |
| Water Absorption (24h) | 1.5–2.5% |
| Saturated Water Absorption | 7–10% |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.25–0.30 W/m·K |
| Electrical Resistivity | >10¹² Ω·cm |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 1700 J/kg·K |
Thermal Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 220–225°C |
| Heat Deflection Temperature | 70–90°C |
| Glass Transition Temperature | 50°C |
| Continuous Service Temperature | -40°C to 105°C |
| Short-Term Service Temperature | Up to 160°C |
PA6 offers excellent performance across a broad operating temperature range.
Strength-to-Weight Ratio
| Material | Density (g/cm³) | Tensile Strength |
|---|---|---|
| PA6 | 1.14 | 80 MPa |
| PA66 | 1.14 | 85 MPa |
| POM | 1.41 | 70 MPa |
| Aluminum 6061 | 2.70 | 310 MPa |
PA6 provides an excellent balance of lightweight construction and mechanical strength.
Wear Resistance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Abrasion Resistance | Excellent |
| Sliding Wear Resistance | Excellent |
| Bearing Performance | Excellent |
| Surface Durability | Excellent |
PA6 is frequently selected for dynamic mechanical applications involving friction and wear.
Friction Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Coefficient of Friction | 0.20–0.40 |
| Self-Lubricating | Yes |
| Dry Running Capability | Good |
| Noise Reduction | Excellent |
These characteristics make PA6 suitable for gears, rollers, and bushings.
Chemical Resistance
| Chemical Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Oils & Greases | Excellent |
| Fuels | Good |
| Hydrocarbons | Good |
| Alcohols | Good |
| Alkalis | Good |
| Strong Acids | Poor |
| Oxidizing Agents | Poor |
PA6 performs exceptionally well in lubricated industrial environments.
Moisture Absorption
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Moisture Absorption | Moderate |
| Dimensional Stability | Moderate |
| Toughness Retention | Excellent |
| Environmental Sensitivity | Moderate |
Like all polyamides, PA6 absorbs moisture, which can affect dimensions and stiffness.
Electrical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Volume Resistivity | >10¹² Ω·cm |
| Surface Resistivity | >10¹¹ Ω |
| Dielectric Strength | 15–25 kV/mm |
| Dielectric Constant | 3.5–4.0 |
PA6 is commonly used in electrical insulation and connector applications.
Machinability
| Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Milling | Excellent |
| CNC Turning | Excellent |
| Drilling | Excellent |
| Tapping | Excellent |
| Routing | Excellent |
Machinability Comparison
| Material | Machinability |
|---|---|
| PA6 | Excellent |
| PA66 | Excellent |
| POM | Excellent |
| Polycarbonate | Good |
PA6 is one of the easiest engineering plastics to machine.
Injection Molding Characteristics
| Property | Rating |
|---|---|
| Moldability | Excellent |
| Flow Characteristics | Excellent |
| Production Efficiency | Excellent |
| Cycle Time | Fast |
| Surface Finish | Good |
PA6 offers easier molding and better flow characteristics than PA66.
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| ISO | PA6 |
| ASTM | Nylon 6 |
| DIN | PA6 |
| JIS | Nylon 6 |
| GB/T (China) | PA6 / 尼龙6 |
| UL | Polyamide 6 |
Available Forms
| Product Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| Rod | Yes |
| Sheet | Yes |
| Tube | Yes |
| Pellets | Yes |
| Injection Molded Parts | Yes |
| Machined Components | Yes |
Typical Applications
Industrial Machinery
- Gears
- Bushings
- Bearings
- Rollers
- Wear Strips
Automotive Industry
- Engine Components
- Cable Guides
- Structural Clips
- Air Intake Components
Electrical Industry
- Connectors
- Switch Components
- Insulators
- Terminal Blocks
Material Handling Systems
- Conveyor Rollers
- Guide Rails
- Chain Guides
- Wear Pads
Consumer Products
- Sporting Equipment
- Mechanical Assemblies
- Appliance Components
Medical Equipment
- Structural Components
- Equipment Housings
- Instrument Parts
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| Injection Molding | Outstanding |
| CNC Machining | Excellent |
| Extrusion | Excellent |
| Welding | Good |
Advantages
Excellent Toughness
Higher impact resistance than PA66.
Outstanding Wear Resistance
Ideal for moving mechanical parts.
Low Friction
Provides self-lubricating performance.
Good Chemical Resistance
Performs well in oils, greases, and fuels.
Easy Processing
Excellent moldability and machinability.
Cost Effective
One of the most economical engineering plastics available.
Limitations
Moisture Absorption
Can affect dimensions and stiffness.
Moderate UV Resistance
Outdoor applications may require UV stabilization.
Lower Heat Resistance Than PA66
Not ideal for high-temperature applications.
Acid Sensitivity
Strong acids can degrade the material.
Comparison with Common Engineering Plastics
| Property | PA6 | PA66 | POM | PC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toughness | Excellent | Good | Good | Excellent |
| Wear Resistance | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Heat Resistance | Good | Better | Good | Excellent |
| Moisture Resistance | Moderate | Moderate | Excellent | Good |
| Machinability | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
Comparison with PA66
| Property | PA6 | PA66 |
|---|---|---|
| Toughness | Higher | Lower |
| Impact Resistance | Better | Good |
| Heat Resistance | Lower | Higher |
| Moldability | Better | Good |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
Available Surface Finishes
Standard Finishes
- Natural Finish
- Black Finish
- Molded Finish
Functional Finishes
- CNC Machined Finish
- Ground Finish
- Polished Finish
Specialty Grades
- Oil Filled PA6
- MoS₂ Filled PA6
- Glass Filled PA6
- Cast Nylon PA6
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is PA6?
PA6 (Nylon 6) is a polyamide engineering plastic known for its toughness, wear resistance, and low friction.
What is PA6 used for?
Typical applications include:
- Gears
- Bearings
- Bushings
- Rollers
- Industrial Machinery Components
Is PA6 stronger than ABS?
Yes. PA6 offers significantly higher strength, wear resistance, and fatigue resistance.
What is the difference between PA6 and PA66?
PA6 provides better toughness and processability, while PA66 offers higher stiffness and heat resistance.
Is PA6 self-lubricating?
Yes. PA6 naturally exhibits low friction and excellent wear characteristics.
Can PA6 be machined?
Yes. PA6 provides excellent CNC machining performance.
Why choose PA6?
Because it combines:
- Excellent Toughness
- Outstanding Wear Resistance
- Low Friction
- Easy Processing
- Cost-Effective Performance
What is the biggest disadvantage of PA6?
Moisture absorption can affect dimensions and mechanical properties.
Does GCNOV provide PA6 manufacturing services?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- PA6 CNC Machining
- PA6 Injection Molding
- Custom Plastic Fabrication
- Prototype Development
- Surface Finishing
- Low-Volume Production
- Mass Production
- Wear Component Manufacturing