Nylon (PA6/PA66)
Strong, wear-resistant engineering thermoplastic with low friction and good chemical resistance. Nylon is ideal for gears, bearings, and structural components.
About Nylon (PA6/PA66)
Nylon (polyamide) is the premier engineering plastic for mechanical applications, offering an unmatched combination of strength, wear resistance, low friction, and chemical resistance. Its self-lubricating properties make it ideal for gears, bearings, and sliding components.
FabRapid processes nylon through CNC machining, injection molding, and 3D printing (SLS, MJF, FDM). CNC machined nylon parts achieve tighter tolerances than 3D printed alternatives, while injection molding provides the most cost-effective production path for volumes above 500 units.
Two main grades dominate: PA6 (cast nylon, better impact resistance) and PA66 (better stiffness, heat resistance, and wear resistance). Glass-filled grades (PA66-GF30) offer significantly enhanced stiffness and dimensional stability at the cost of increased tool wear.
Material Properties
Compatible Manufacturing Processes
Nylon (PA6/PA66) can be processed using these manufacturing methods.
Available Surface Finishes
Surface treatments compatible with Nylon (PA6/PA66).
Common Applications
Design Guidelines for Nylon (PA6/PA66)
Account for moisture absorption (1-2.5%) — nylon swells when it absorbs water, so design tolerances accordingly
Minimum wall thickness: 1.0 mm for CNC machining, 0.8 mm for injection molding
Use glass-filled nylon (GF30) when dimensional stability and stiffness are critical
For bearing/bushing applications, specify oil-filled or MoS2-filled nylon for enhanced lubricity
Nylon (PA6/PA66) FAQ
Yes. PA6 absorbs up to 2.5% moisture and PA66 absorbs up to 1.5% at equilibrium in standard atmosphere. This causes dimensional changes of 0.2-0.5% and reduces stiffness by 10-20%. For moisture-sensitive applications, consider POM (Delrin) which absorbs only 0.2% moisture.
Glass-filled nylon (typically 30% glass fiber) is used when standard nylon lacks sufficient stiffness, strength, or dimensional stability. It doubles the flexural modulus and reduces thermal expansion by 60%. The tradeoff is reduced impact resistance, increased tool wear during machining, and an anisotropic fiber orientation in injection molded parts.
POM excels in dimensional stability (0.2% moisture absorption vs 2.5% for nylon), fatigue resistance, and creep resistance. Nylon excels in impact resistance, wear resistance, and temperature resistance. For gears: nylon for high-impact, POM for high-precision. For bearings: both work well, but POM is preferred for tight-tolerance applications.
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