Overview
PA66 (Polyamide 66, Nylon 66) is a high-performance engineering thermoplastic renowned for its excellent strength, stiffness, wear resistance, heat resistance, fatigue resistance, and dimensional stability.
Compared with PA6, PA66 offers higher mechanical strength, improved rigidity, better heat resistance, and superior long-term load-bearing performance. These characteristics make PA66 one of the most widely used engineering plastics for demanding industrial and automotive applications.
PA66 is widely used in:
- Automotive Engine Components
- Gears and Bearings
- Electrical Connectors
- Industrial Machinery Parts
- Structural Components
- Cable Ties
- Power Tool Components
- Mechanical Assemblies
Due to its excellent balance of strength, durability, and cost-effectiveness, PA66 remains one of the most important engineering thermoplastics worldwide.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Designation | PA66 |
| Full Name | Polyamide 66 |
| Common Name | Nylon 66 |
| 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
PA66 is produced through condensation polymerization of hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid.
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Polyamide 66 Polymer | Structural Matrix |
| Stabilizers | Thermal Stability |
| Lubricants (Optional) | Wear Resistance |
| Reinforcements (Optional) | Strength Enhancement |
Specialty grades may include glass fiber, mineral, or lubricant additives.
Mechanical Properties
Dry Condition
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 80–95 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 75–90 MPa |
| Elongation at Break | 20–60% |
| Flexural Strength | 110–140 MPa |
| Flexural Modulus | 2.8–3.5 GPa |
| Hardness | Rockwell R115–120 |
| Izod Impact Strength | 60–120 J/m |
Typical Mechanical Performance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Strength | Excellent |
| Stiffness | Excellent |
| Wear Resistance | Excellent |
| Fatigue Resistance | Excellent |
PA66 generally provides higher strength and stiffness than PA6.
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.13–1.15 g/cm³ |
| Water Absorption (24h) | 1.0–2.0% |
| Saturated Water Absorption | 6–8% |
| 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 | 255–265°C |
| Heat Deflection Temperature | 75–110°C |
| Glass Transition Temperature | 50°C |
| Continuous Service Temperature | -40°C to 120°C |
| Short-Term Service Temperature | Up to 180°C |
PA66 offers better thermal performance than PA6, making it suitable for under-hood automotive applications.
Strength-to-Weight Ratio
| Material | Density (g/cm³) | Tensile Strength |
|---|---|---|
| PA66 | 1.14 | 90 MPa |
| PA6 | 1.14 | 80 MPa |
| POM | 1.41 | 70 MPa |
| Aluminum 6061 | 2.70 | 310 MPa |
PA66 provides one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios among standard engineering plastics.
Wear Resistance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Abrasion Resistance | Excellent |
| Sliding Wear Resistance | Excellent |
| Bearing Performance | Excellent |
| Surface Durability | Excellent |
PA66 is commonly used in high-wear mechanical applications.
Friction Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Coefficient of Friction | 0.20–0.40 |
| Self-Lubricating | Yes |
| Dry Running Capability | Good |
| Noise Reduction | Excellent |
These characteristics make PA66 suitable for gears, guides, rollers, and bushings.
Chemical Resistance
| Chemical Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Oils & Greases | Excellent |
| Fuels | Excellent |
| Hydrocarbons | Good |
| Alcohols | Good |
| Alkalis | Good |
| Strong Acids | Poor |
| Oxidizing Agents | Poor |
PA66 performs exceptionally well in automotive and industrial fluid environments.
Moisture Absorption
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Moisture Absorption | Moderate |
| Dimensional Stability | Better than PA6 |
| Strength Retention | Excellent |
| Environmental Sensitivity | Moderate |
Although PA66 absorbs moisture, it generally exhibits better dimensional stability than PA6.
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 |
PA66 is widely used in electrical and electronic applications.
Machinability
| Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Milling | Excellent |
| CNC Turning | Excellent |
| Drilling | Excellent |
| Tapping | Excellent |
| Routing | Excellent |
Machinability Comparison
| Material | Machinability |
|---|---|
| PA66 | Excellent |
| PA6 | Excellent |
| POM | Excellent |
| Polycarbonate | Good |
PA66 can be machined into precise, durable engineering components.
Injection Molding Characteristics
| Property | Rating |
|---|---|
| Moldability | Excellent |
| Flow Characteristics | Good |
| Production Efficiency | Excellent |
| Cycle Time | Fast |
| Surface Finish | Good |
PA66 is widely used in high-volume precision injection molding.
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| ISO | PA66 |
| ASTM | Nylon 66 |
| DIN | PA66 |
| JIS | Nylon 66 |
| GB/T (China) | PA66 / 尼龙66 |
| UL | Polyamide 66 |
Available Forms
| Product Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| Rod | Yes |
| Sheet | Yes |
| Tube | Yes |
| Pellets | Yes |
| Injection Molded Parts | Yes |
| Machined Components | Yes |
Typical Applications
Automotive Industry
- Engine Covers
- Intake Manifolds
- Radiator Components
- Cable Ties
- Structural Brackets
Industrial Machinery
- Gears
- Bearings
- Rollers
- Bushings
- Wear Pads
Electrical Industry
- Connectors
- Terminal Blocks
- Switch Components
- Circuit Breaker Parts
Power Tools
- Gear Housings
- Structural Components
- Mechanical Supports
Consumer Products
- Fasteners
- Appliance Components
- Sporting Equipment
Medical Equipment
- Structural Components
- Mechanical Assemblies
- Equipment Housings
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| Injection Molding | Outstanding |
| CNC Machining | Excellent |
| Extrusion | Excellent |
| Welding | Good |
Advantages
High Strength
Stronger than many standard engineering plastics.
Excellent Heat Resistance
Suitable for elevated-temperature environments.
Outstanding Wear Resistance
Ideal for moving mechanical components.
Excellent Fatigue Resistance
Performs well under repeated loading.
Good Chemical Resistance
Resistant to oils, greases, and fuels.
Cost Effective
Provides high performance at a reasonable cost.
Limitations
Moisture Absorption
Can affect dimensions and mechanical properties.
UV Sensitivity
Outdoor applications may require stabilization.
Acid Sensitivity
Strong acids can attack the material.
Lower Impact Resistance Than PA6
PA66 is stiffer but slightly less tough than PA6.
Comparison with Common Engineering Plastics
| Property | PA66 | PA6 | POM | PC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | Excellent | Good | Good | Good |
| Stiffness | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Good |
| Wear Resistance | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Heat Resistance | Better | Good | Good | Excellent |
| Impact Resistance | Good | Better | Moderate | Excellent |
Comparison with PA6
| Property | PA66 | PA6 |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | Higher | Lower |
| Stiffness | Higher | Lower |
| Heat Resistance | Better | Good |
| Wear Resistance | Slightly Better | Excellent |
| Impact Resistance | Good | Better |
| Moldability | Good | Better |
Available Surface Finishes
Standard Finishes
- Natural Finish
- Black Finish
- Molded Finish
Functional Finishes
- CNC Machined Finish
- Ground Finish
- Polished Finish
Specialty Grades
- Glass Filled PA66
- Flame Retardant PA66
- Oil Filled PA66
- Heat Stabilized PA66
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is PA66?
PA66 (Nylon 66) is a high-strength engineering thermoplastic known for excellent wear resistance, heat resistance, and durability.
What is PA66 used for?
Typical applications include:
- Gears
- Bearings
- Automotive Parts
- Electrical Connectors
- Industrial Machinery Components
Is PA66 stronger than PA6?
Yes. PA66 generally offers higher strength, stiffness, and heat resistance.
What is the difference between PA66 and PA6?
PA66 provides better mechanical and thermal performance, while PA6 offers greater toughness and easier processing.
Is PA66 self-lubricating?
Yes. PA66 exhibits low friction and excellent wear characteristics.
Can PA66 be machined?
Yes. PA66 offers excellent CNC machining performance.
Why choose PA66?
Because it combines:
- High Strength
- Excellent Wear Resistance
- Good Heat Resistance
- Low Friction
- Long Service Life
What is the biggest disadvantage of PA66?
Moisture absorption can influence dimensions and stiffness.
Does GCNOV provide PA66 manufacturing services?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- PA66 CNC Machining
- PA66 Injection Molding
- Custom Plastic Fabrication
- Prototype Development
- Surface Finishing
- Low-Volume Production
- Mass Production
- Industrial Component Manufacturing