Nylons are a family of industrial grade polymers composed of polyamides. Readily available in sheets, tubes and rods, these plastics are prized for their excellent mechanical properties. Also known as nylon 6 or nylon 6/6, cast nylon combines high chemical resistance, compressive strength and good machinability.
Nylons are now increasingly used as substitutes for metals such as bronze and steel. In fact, they’re the ideal solution for the manufacturing of machined parts destined for a wide range of industries.
What are high-performance nylons?
Cast nylon is an engineered thermoplastic resin that offers many benefits. In its virgin form (without additives), it naturally withstands impacts, compression and chemical attacks.
However, virgin nylon may not always be suitable for more demanding applications; in such cases, it’s preferable to choose one containing additives, as it will possess superior mechanical and thermal properties. For example, NYLOIL® and NYLOIL® MDX are more appropriate for high friction applications. Thanks to its self-lubricating additive, NYLOIL® reduces friction and wear significantly without having to wax or grease contact surfaces.
As for NYCAST® XHA, it’s ideal for high-temperature applications, as it offers superior thermal resistance, retaining its properties in environments where continuous temperatures reach up to 115.5 °C (240 °F).
For situations where strong and frequent impacts are an issue, a nylon such as NYCAST® 6MP is undoubtedly the most appropriate choice.
Food-grade nylons
Several types of nylons meet FDA and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada standards and are therefore approved for the manufacturing of parts and components intended for the food sector. These include NYCAST® 6 PA FG and NYLOIL® FG, both of which offer increased resistance to friction.
Want to learn more about self-lubricating plastics destined for the food industry? Check out our article: Self-Lubricating Materials: Important Assets for the Food Industry. To learn more about food-grade plastics, see our article: Food-Grade Plastics.
Why choose nylon machined parts?
Nylons can be machined with a high degree of precision. What’s more, their good dimensional stability allows for the manufacture of parts that can withstand specific conditions. In addition, they offer a multitude of important benefits for all kinds of industries.
1. Excellent mechanical properties
Nylons are prized for their mechanical properties, particularly for their impressive compressive strength, which can tolerate up to 103 MPa (15,000 PSI). These high-performance polymers are ideally suited for more demanding applications and extreme environments, performing well in the presence of various stresses.
2. Available in a variety of grades
A wide range of plastic additives can be combined to the base resin to enhance its original properties. By effectively targeting certain requirements, we can ensure that the chosen nylon is best suited for its desired use. It’s also available in a grade approved for direct contact with food.
3. Lightweight
Nylons are very light plastics with a density of around 1150 kg/m3 depending on the grade. They’re therefore slightly heavier than water by 15%. To learn more about the weight of plastics, click here.
4. Durable
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Nylons, especially high-performance varieties, offer excellent durability even in the most demanding applications. With their low coefficient of friction combined with chemical and compression resistance, these polymers are among the most efficient and durable materials in the world.
5. Noise Reduction
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Plastics such as nylons have the advantage of absorbing shocks, which reduces the level of noise generated by impact and friction. To learn more about noise reduction, click here!
Industries and sectors that use high-performance nylons
- Food
- Manufacturing
- Transportation
- Natural resources
- Wood (sawmills)
- Pulp and paper
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