Nylon 6 is the casting grade of the Nylon solid polymer shapes family. Unlike Nylon 6/6 (Extrusion grade), it provides the unique opportunity to be “poured” into an open mold allowing not only standard shapes such as rod, tubing, and sheet, but custom near net shaped blanks as well. Casting shapes in this manner provides lower stress levels within the material, thereby making machining to close tolerances easier to achieve. It has been commercially available since 1948; developed by Dupont. Nylon is well known for excellent toughness, low coefficient of friction and good abrasion resistance making it an ideal replacement for a wide variety of materials from metal to rubber. Using Nylon 6 reduces lubrication requirements, eliminates galling, and corrosion. Low cost combined with improved wear resistance makes Nylon 6 an excellent choice for many bearing and wear components.

Nylon 6 is easily fabricated into precision parts using standard metalworking equipment. Tolerances of +/-.002 are easily achieved with experience. It is available in a broad variety of shapes and sizes. Rod and sheet stock normally comes slightly oversized for machining purposes. Both extruded and cast grades of nylon are available with different fillers and solid lubricants to accommodate specific application demands.

Several manufacturers offer varying grades and filled versions thereof by the names of Tecamid® and Nylatron®. Solid lubricants such as mineral oil, graphite, PTFE Teflon®, and MoS2 provide lower friction, while reinforcing agents such as carbon fiber, Kevlar®, and glass fibers provide higher levels of strength and dimensional stability.

Specification Test Value Units
Density, 73°F D792  1.14  
Tensile Strength @ Yield, 73°F D638  12,000 psi
Tensile Modulus of Elasticity, 73°F D638  400,000 psi
Tensile Elongation (at break), 73°F D638 25 %
Flexural Strength, 73°F D790  12,500 psi
Flexural Modulus of Elasticity D790  400,000 psi
Shear Strength, 73°F D732   psi
Compressive Strength - Ultimate    12,000 psi
Compressive Strength at 2% Deformation D695  8,000 psi
Compressive Strength at 10% Deformation D695  12,000 psi
Deformation Under Load     %
Compressive Modulus of Elasticity, 73°F D695    
Compressive Strength ⊥ to Laminate (Modulus)     psi
Compressive Strength ⊥ to Laminate (Yield)     psi
Compressive Strength ⊥ to Laminate (Ultimate)     psi
Hardness, Durometer (Shore "D" scale) D2240    
Hardness, Rockwell (Scale as noted) D785  115 Rockwell R
Izod Impact, Notched @ 73°F D256 Type A  .60 ft.lbs/in. of notch
Coefficient of Friction (Dry vs Steel) Static PTM55007  .30  
Coefficient of Friction (Dry vs Steel) Dynamic PTM55007  .26  
Maximum Static Bearing Load (P) PTM55007  12,000 psi
Maximum Unlubricated No Load Bearing Velocity (V) PTM55007  20 ft/minute
Maximum Limiting PV (Unlubricated) PTM55007  2,000 psi x ft/min.
Wear Factor "K" x 10-10 PTM55010  200 x 10-10 Cubic in.-min/ft.lbs.hr
Sand Wheel Wear/Abrasion Test    80 UHMW=100
Minimum Mating Surface Hardness     Rockwell (Brinnell)
Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion E-831(TMA)  4.0 x 10-5 in/in/°F x 10-5
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion // to Laminates E-831(TMA)  4.0 x 10-5 in/in/°F x 10-5
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion I to Laminates E-831(TMA)  4.0 x 10-5 in/in/°F x 10-5
Heat Deflection Temperature @ 66psi  D648  370 °F
Heat Deflection Temperature 264 psi D648  200 °F
Embrittlement Temperature     °F Min.
Continuous Service Temperature in Air    200 °F Max.
Short Term Service Temperature    300 °F Max.
Tg-Glass Transition (Amorphous) D3418   °F
Melting Point (Crystalline Peak) D3418  428 °F
Thermal Conductivity F433  1.67 BTU-in/(hr/ft2°F)
Dielectric Strength Short Term D149  500 Volts/mil
Volume Resistivity D257  1014 ohm/cm
Surface Resistivity D257   ohm/cm
Dielectric Constant, 106 Hz D150  3.7  
Dissipation Factor, 106 Hz D150    
Flammability @ 3.1mm(1/8 in.) UL94 UL94  HB  
Arc Resistance     seconds
Water Absorption, Immersion 24 Hours D570 (2)  1.2 %
Water Absorption, Immersion Saturation D570 (2)  6.0 %
Machinability Rating    3 1=easy, 10=difficult
Rod Diameter Availability (Off the Shelf) 1   inches
Sheet Thickness Availability (Off the Shelf) .25   inches