Advantages
• Strength
• Stiffness
• Heat resistance
• Chemical resistance to hydrocarbons
• Wear resistance and lubricity

Limitations
• Poor chemical resistance to strong acids and bases
• High water absorption

There are many types of nylons commercially available. The versatility of nylon makes it one of the most widely used engineering thermoplastics. Commercial nylons include nylon 6, nylon 4/6, nylon 6/6, nylon 6/10, nylon 6/12, nylon 11 and nylon 12. The numerical nomenclature for nylon is derived from the number of carbon atoms in the diamine and dibasic acid monomers used to manufacture it. The ratio of carbon atoms is what gives each nylon type its unique property characteristics.

Nylon 6/6 is one of the most versatile engineering thermoplastics. It is popular in every major market using thermoplastic materials. Because of its excellent balance of strength, ductility and heat resistance, nylon 6/6 is an outstanding candidate for metal replacement applications. nylon 6/6 is very easy to process with a very wide process window. This allows it to be used for everything from complex, thin walled components to large thick walled housings.

Nylon 6/6 is very easy to modify with fillers, fibers, internal lubricants, and impact modifiers. With the use of fiber reinforcements, the physical strength of nylon 6/6 can be improved five times that of the base resin. The stiffness of nylon 6/6 can be improved up to 10 times. With impact modifiers, the ductility of nylon 6/6 is comparable to polycarbonate. The use of internal lubricants improves on the already excellent wear resistance and friction properties on nylon 6/6. Its versatility allows it to be used in almost any application that requires high physical strength, ductility, heat resistance and chemical resistance.