Nylon 6 Or Nylon 66 - Which One Should I Choose

Nylon (PA) 6 & 66 are both synthetic polymers called polyamides, with the numbers describing the type and quantity of polymer chains in their chemical structure. Most nylons, including 6 & 66, are semi-crystalline and possess good strength and durability for demanding applications.

 

1. Nylon Properties

As polyamides, Nylon 6 & 66, whilst having their own separate and distinct benefits, do share many of the same core properties:

High mechanical strength, stiffness, hardness and toughness.

Good fatigue resistance.

High mechanical damping ability.

Good sliding properties.

Excellent wear resistance

Good electrical insulating properties

Good resistance to high energy radiation (gamma & x-ray).

Good machinability.

 

2. Differences

An important difference between Nylon 6 & 66 is mold shrinkage. Nylon 6's lower mold shrinkage adds reliability to final part dimensions which is beneficial whilst Nylon 66's greater mold shrinkage, as it is exposed to cool air and solidifies, means the material's shape changes more after processing, which must be accounted for.

Other key differences between the two nylons are water absorption rates and heat deflection temperatures. As Nylon 6 absorbs more water than Nylon 66 and has lower heat deflection temperatures, it is not suited to applications that are exposed to water at high temperatures. Nylon 66 would be a better choice between the two.

 

3. Typical Material Applications

Sleeve and slide bearings

Wear pads

Support and guide wheels

Cable sheaves

Hammer heads

Scrapers

Gear wheels

Seal rings

Cutting boards

Track plates

 

4. Which One Should I Choose?

The needs of an application have to be considered in terms of processing, aesthetic appearance, and mechanical properties first, in order to decide whether Nylon 6 or 66 is more suitable.

Nylon 6 should be used if a lightweight engineering plastic is required to withstand high impact and stress. It has better aesthetic appearance than Nylon 66 due to its lustrous finish and is easier to dye. It is an ideal choice for applications in the automotive, industrial and military industries. Common applications include: gears, firearm components and automotive engine compartments. It is not ideal, however, for applications that are exposed to water at high temperatures due to its higher water absorption and lower heat deflection rate than Nylon 66, which would be a better choice.

Nylon 66 should be used if a high performing engineering plastic is required that will be exposed to higher temperatures. Additionally, its stiffness and good tensile and flexural modulus make it an ideal material for applications that need repeated long-term performance. Typical applications include: friction bearings, radiator caps and tire ropes.

 

5. About Us

Luoyang Dema Import & Export Co., Ltd. aims to provide high-quality, cost-effective products for global factories, plastic product manufacturers, and material distributors. Luoyang Dema Import & Export Co., Ltd. provides the best PP, PE, PVC, AVE, ABS material solutions for plastic product manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, distributors, factory owners, processing workshops, etc.

 

If you are looking for general plastic materials, please feel free to get the latest prices and quotations from Luoyang Dema Import & Export Co., Ltd. The sales team will reply within 48 hours.