Nylon material (polyamide) is one of the most widely used families of engineering polymers.
Since its commercial introduction in the 1930s as a textile fiber, nylon chemistry and processing have evolved into a versatile platform used for fibers, фільми, molded engineering components and high-performance composites.
Ця стаття містить технічну інформацію, multi-perspective analysis of nylon: what it is chemically, its principal grades, key physical and mechanical behavior, processing routes, Переваги та обмеження, common applications, sustainability issues, and future directions.
1. What is Nylon?
Nylon material is the trade name commonly used for a family of synthetic polyamide полімери.
Developed in the 1930s as the first fully synthetic fiber, nylon now exists in two broad commercial streams: textile fibers (nylon fiber and filament) і engineering thermoplastics (injection-molded and extruded polyamides).
As a material class, nylons combine Хороша механічна міцність, міцність, abrasion resistance and chemical resistance with broad processability (спінінг, екструзія, лиття під тиском), which makes them ubiquitous across textiles, consumer goods and industrial engineering applications.
2. Chemical structure and principal commercial grades
Basic chemistry
Nylons are polyamides formed by repeating amide bonds (–CO–NH–) in a polymer backbone.
Differences between grades arise from the monomers used and resulting repeat-unit spacing, which controls crystallinity, melting point and hydrolytic stability.
Common commercial grades (abbreviations and short notes)
- Pa6 (polycaprolactam / нейлон 6): made by ring-opening polymerization of caprolactam. Хороша міцність, slightly lower melting point than PA66; widely used for molded parts and fibers.
- Pa66 (poly(hexamethylene adipamide) / нейлон 66): produced by condensation of adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine.
Higher melting point and slightly higher stiffness and heat resistance than PA6. - PA11 / PA12 (long-chain nylons): lower water uptake and better chemical/low-temperature performance; often used for tubing, fuel lines and flexible parts. PA11 can be made from bio-based feedstock (castor oil).
- Copolyamides (Напр., PA6/66 blends): trade off properties; improved processability or hydrolytic stability.
- Specialty polyamides: high-temperature nylons (Напр., PA46), aromatic or semi-aromatic polyamides (higher performance, більша вартість).
3. Typical physical and mechanical properties (Типові діапазони)
The table below gives typical engineering ranges for unfilled (акуратний) commercial nylons. Actual values depend on grade, conditioning (Вміст вологи), and test method.
| Власність | Типовий діапазон (neat PA6 / Pa66) | Практична довідка |
| Щільність (G · CM⁻³) | 1.12–1.15 | PA6 ≈1.13; PA66 ≈1.14 |
| Сила на розрив (MPA) | 50–90 | Higher for PA66; glass fill raises to 100–200+ MPa |
| Модуль Юнга (GPA) | 2.5–3.5 | Increases with glass fill |
| Подовження на перерві (%) | 20–150 | Highly ductile when dry; decreases with glass |
| Notched Izod (kJ·m⁻²) | 20–80 | Good impact toughness |
| Температура плавлення (° C) | Pa6: ~215–220; Pa66: ~255–265 | Process and use temp implications |
| Перехід скла (° C) | ≈ 40–70 | Moisture and crystallinity affect Tg |
| Водопоглинання (рівновага, WT%) | 0.5–3.0 (залежить від RH & сорт) | PA6 typically 1.5–2.5% at 50% RH; PA12/11 much lower |
| HDT (1.82 MPA) (° C) | 60–120 (акуратний) | Glass fill raises HDT significantly |
Примітка дизайну: mechanical properties listed above are for сухий смола; moisture equilibrium typically reduces modulus and increases toughness—so conditioned test data should be used for design.
4. Thermal behaviour and dimensional stability
- Melting behaviour: PA6 and PA66 are semi-crystalline; their high crystallinity gives strength and thermal resistance but also anisotropic shrinkage.
- Useful continuous service temperature: typically up to 80–120 °C for unfilled grades; glass-filled or heat-stabilized grades extend usable temperature.
- Стабільність розмірів: anisotropic shrinkage during molding and hygroscopic swelling are the key drivers of dimensional change.
Designers must account for both processing shrinkage and moisture-induced expansion in tolerance stacks.
5. Moisture uptake and its effects — the defining practical constraint
Moisture is the single most important practical consideration for nylon material.
Механізм & magnitude
- Nylon absorbs water by diffusion into amorphous regions; equilibrium content depends on relative humidity and temperature.
- Typical equilibrium water uptake: PA6 ~1.5–2.5 wt% (room conditions), PA66 slightly higher; PA11/PA12 << 1% (long-chain nylon advantage).
Effects on properties
- Stiffness and strength decrease as water acts as a plasticizer (modulus down 10–30% at equilibrium).
- Toughness and elongation often increase, reducing brittleness.
- Dimensional change (swelling) може бути значущим (hundreds of µm for small parts) and must be accommodated by design or post-conditioning.
- Processing implications: molded parts should be conditioned to expected service humidity before final inspection; drying before molding is essential to avoid hydrolysis (chain scission) in the melt.
Practical rules
- For dimensionally critical parts, specify conditioning protocol (Напр., сухий: 0.05% волога, conditioned: 23°C/50% RH until equilibrium).
- Consider long-chain nylons (PA11/PA12) or filled grades to reduce hygroscopicity.
6. Chemical resistance and electrical properties
- Хімічна стійкість: nylons resist hydrocarbons, олія, greases and many solvents.
Вони є attacked by strong acids, strong oxidizers and some halogenated solvents—especially at elevated temperature.
Fuel and hydraulic compatibility depends on grade and exposure conditions; long-term immersion requires validation. - Електричні властивості: good electrical insulation when dry; dielectric constant and loss tangent change with moisture, so electrical applications require moisture-controlled environments or hermetic encapsulation.
7. Processing and manufacturing methods
Common processes
- Підприємство для ін'єкцій: dominant for complex shapes and high volume. Processing melt temps: PA6 ~230–260 °C; PA66 ~260–280 °C (start points — validate per grade).
Molds are typically kept warm (60–90 °C) to control crystallization and reduce sink. - Екструзія: прут, трубки, profiles and films.
- Blow molding/thermoforming: Для конкретних оцінок (PA12 tubing, fuel lines).
- Fiber spinning: nylon fibers for textiles and industrial tapes.
- Обробка: nylon can be machined from extruded stock; tooling geometry and chip control are important due to ductility.
Key processing controls
- Сушіння: nylon material must be dried (typical target moisture <0.2%) before melt processing to prevent hydrolysis and poor surface finish; drying schedules vary (Напр., 80–100 °C for several hours).
- Melt stability: avoid excessive residence time and high shear to prevent degradation.
- Gate/flow design: manage weld lines and minimize orientation that leads to property anisotropy.
8. Reinforced and specialty nylons
Fillers and copolymerization tailor nylon material performance:
- Glass-filled nylons (20–50% GF): increase modulus and dimensional stability, raise HDT, but reduce impact toughness and increase abrasive wear on mating parts.
- Mineral fillers (talc, слюда): moderate stiffness increase and improved creep resistance.
- PTFE or graphite lubricated grades: lower coefficient of friction and reduce wear in sliding applications.
- Flame-retardant, UV-stabilized and hydrolysis-stabilized grades are available for demanding environments.
- Polyamide blends and copolymers (Напр., PA6/PA66, PA6T) optimize processability and thermal performance.
9. Advantages and Limitations of Nylon Material
Advantages of Nylon
- Висока сила і міцність
Typical tensile strength ranges from 50–90 МПа (neat grades), with excellent impact resistance and fatigue performance. - Good wear and abrasion resistance
Especially effective in gears, втулки, and sliding components; lubricated grades further improve tribological behavior. - Lightweight with good stiffness
Density is low (~1.13–1.15 g/cm³), while stiffness can be significantly increased using glass or mineral fillers. - Хімічна стійкість
Resistant to oils, паливо, and many hydrocarbons, making nylon suitable for automotive and industrial environments. - Cost-effective and easy to process
Compatible with injection molding and extrusion, with a wide range of commercially available grades. - Highly customizable
Properties can be tailored through fillers, підкріплення, стабілізатори, і мастильні матеріали.
Limitations of Nylon
- Поглинання вологи (key limitation)
Nylon is hygroscopic; moisture uptake (типово 1–3 мас.) reduces stiffness and strength and causes dimensional changes. - Температурні межі
Continuous service temperatures are usually below 120°C for standard grades; properties degrade at higher temperatures. - Creep under sustained load
Long-term loads, especially at elevated temperature or humidity, can lead to deformation. - Розмірна нестабільність
Semi-crystalline structure and moisture sensitivity can cause warpage and tolerance drift. - Chemical sensitivity
Poor resistance to strong acids, oxidizers, and some aggressive solvents. - Processing sensitivity
Requires thorough drying before molding to prevent hydrolysis and loss of mechanical properties.
10. Applications of Nylon Material
- Автомобільний: впускні колектори (PA6/6T), fuel and brake lines (PA11/PA12), Обкладинки двигуна, gears and bearings.
- Промислова техніка: втулки, ролики, Носіть прокладки, компоненти конвеєра.
- Споживчі товари & прилади: шестерні, петлі, кріплення, toothbrush bristles (fibers).
- Електричний & електроніка: кабельні стяжки, з'єднувачі (when moisture is controlled).
- Textiles and composites: fibers, cordage, and reinforced composite matrices.
- Медичний: PA12 used for some medical devices (biocompatibility and sterilization considerations apply).
11. Comparison with other engineering plastics
| Власність / Критерій | Нейлон (Pa6 / Pa66) | Помпа (Ацетальний) | PTFE (Тефлоновий) | PEEK | PBT | UHMW-OR |
| Щільність (G · CM⁻³) | 1.12–1.15 | ≈1.40–1.42 | ≈2.10–2.16 | ≈1.28–1.32 | ≈1.30–1.33 | ≈0.93–0.95 |
| Сила на розрив (MPA) | 50–90 | 50–75 | 20–35 | 90–110 | 50–70 | 20–40 |
| Модуль Юнга (GPA) | 2.5–3.5 | 2.8–3.5 | 0.3–0.6 | 3.6–4.1 | 2.6–3.2 | 0.8–1.5 |
| Плавлення / typical service temp (° C) | Tm ≈215 (Pa6) / service ≈80–120 | Tm ≈165–175 / service ≈80–100 | Tm ≈327 / service up to ≈260 (mechanical limits) | Tm ≈343 / service ≈200–250 | Tm ≈220–225 / service ≈120 | Tm ≈130–135 / service ≈80–100 |
| Water uptake (WT%, eq.) | ≈1.5–2.5% (Pa6) | ≈0.2–0.3% | ≈0% | ≈0,3–0,5% | ≈0.2–0.5% | ≈0.01–0.1% |
| Коефіцієнт тертя (сухий) | 0.15–0.35 | 0.15–0.25 | 0.04–0.15 (дуже низький) | 0.15–0.4 | 0.25–0.35 | 0.08–0.20 |
| Носити / трибологія | Добрий (improvable with fillers) | Відмінний (gears/bushings) | Бідний (improves with filler) | Відмінний (filled best) | Добрий | Відмінний (abrasion-resistant) |
| Хімічна стійкість | Good to hydrocarbons; poor to strong acids/oxidizers | Good to fuels/solvents | Видатний (майже універсальний) | Відмінний (aggressive media) | Добрий | Дуже добре |
Обробка |
Добрий (махінний) | Відмінний | Справедливий (machinable from billet) | Добрий (tough but machinable) | Добрий | Складний (клейкий) |
| Стабільність розмірів | Помірний (hygroscopic) | Дуже добре (низька гігроскопічність) | Відмінний | Відмінний | Добрий | Дуже добре |
| Типові програми | Шестерні, підшипники, корпус, трубки (PA11/12) | Шестерні, precision bushings, компоненти палива | Ущільнювачі, хімічні вкладиші, low-friction surfaces | High-temp bearings, аерокосмічний, Медичні імплантати | Електричні роз'єми, корпус | Лайнери, Носіть прокладки, компоненти конвеєра |
| Quick selection hint | Choose when toughness and cost matter; manage moisture | Choose for precision, low-friction mechanical parts | Choose if chemical inertness & lowest µ are required | Choose for high-temp & high-load critical parts | Choose for good dimensional stability and molding ease | Choose where extreme abrasion resistance and impact are needed |
12. Стійкість, recycling and regulatory issues
- Переробка: Nylon material is mechanically recyclable; reclaimed PA may be downgraded for less critical use.
Depolymerization (chemical recycling) routes exist and are industrially developing—they can recover monomer (caprolactam) or other feedstocks. - Bio-based options: PA11 (from castor oil) and PA610/1010 (partially bio-based) reduce fossil feedstock dependency.
- Нормативна: food contact and medical use require grade certification (FDA, ЄС) and compliance with extractables/leachables testing where appropriate.
- Environmental concerns: life-cycle assessment varies by grade and filler; filling and glass content affect recyclability and embodied energy.
13. Conclusions and practical recommendations
Нейлон (polyamide) є зрілим, versatile engineering polymer family that balances strength, toughness and wear resistance with economic processability.
The wide palette of chemistries — from PA6 and PA66 to PA11 and PA12 — together with fillers and modifiers, permits fine-tuning for applications spanning textiles to high-performance automotive systems.
The principal engineering challenges are moisture management and chemical susceptibility in aggressive environments; these are addressed by appropriate grade selection (long-chain nylons), наповнювачі, drying and design allowances.
Ongoing advances in recycling, bio-feedstocks and composite technology are extending nylon’s sustainability and application envelope.
Поширені запитання
Is PA6 or PA66 better?
PA66 typically offers higher melting point, трохи вища жорсткість і кращий опір повзучості; PA6 is easier to process and can be tougher. Choose based on temperature and processing constraints.
How should I specify nylon for dimensional control?
Specify the conditioning state for inspection (Напр., “conditioned to 23 ° C, 50% RH until equilibrium”), and provide tolerances that account for moisture swelling and molding anisotropy.
Can nylon material be used in fuel lines?
Yes—PA11 and PA12 are common for fuel and hydraulic tubing due to low moisture uptake and good chemical resistance. Always validate with the specific fluid and temperature.
Are glass-filled nylons recyclable?
Mechanically, так, but glass content changes melt viscosity and property retention; recycled glass-filled nylon is typically used in less demanding applications unless chemically recycled.
How do I prevent hydrolysis during molding?
Thoroughly dry resin to the supplier’s specification and limit melt residence time and excessive barrel temperatures.
