In the field of engineering materials, nylon plastic has secured a magnificent reputation and extensive application. Nylon has cemented its place in the history of manufacturing as one of the building blocks of modern manufacturing because of its strength, rigidity and exceptional bearing and wear properties. With an extensive range of applications that cover many sectors, from automotive to consumer goods, its range of applications is limitless. In this blog, we talk about nylon and its unique composition, unparalleled advantages and the many ways that it continues to shape our technological landscape.
What is Nylon Material?
Nylon is a thermoplastic polymer that is based on petrochemicals. It contains both crystalline (structured) and amorphous (unstructured) regions which make it semi-crystalline in nature. Initially launched as a stronger and cheaper alternative to silk, nylon quickly gained attention due to its exceptional properties, hence leading to its use in various sectors such as agriculture, construction, apparel, sport and food processing, among others.
How Nylon is Made?
The production of nylon is through the polymerization process. In this mechanism, monomers are bonded to form long chain molecules called polymers. For nylon, the required monomers are obtained from crude oil through cracking. These monomers are then heated and forced into long chains of repeating segments which are then cooled and cut into pellets. The pellets are melted and extruded, pushed through a spinner, which is a device with holes through it, to produce long thin fibers. The fibers are then cooled, stretched, and wound on bobbins which are then used to make a vast range of nylon products.
Types of Nylon Material
- Nylon 6 and Nylon 66
The molecular architecture of nylon materials reveals their versatility through numerical designations that define their variations. The most common varieties are nylon 6 and nylon 66 that form the base of this amazing polymer family.
Nylon 6 is obtained by liquid casting methods, which means that it is easy to form rods, tubes and sheets. This technique not only brings cost efficiency but also allows for customized fabrication, which is capable of supporting design fabrication that is outside of the traditional mold.
In contrast, nylon 66, which has similar mechanical, thermal and electrical properties to nylon 6, is produced by melting pellets of solid polymer and extruding them through thermoplastic machinery. The result is rods, tubes and sheets of different dimensions. This production method guarantees exceptional strength retention as well as constant performance and cost-efficiency for finished components.
- Nylon with Metal Core
Innovation in nylon materials reaches new heights with the creation of nylons reinforced with a metal core, combining durability and strength. Commonly known as nylon billets, this type of hybrid material combines a metal core which produces strong parts suitable for high power transmission applications. Such designs are commonly used in rollers, gears, sprockets and augers, where they are used as integral mechanical units.
- Graded Nylon
The adaptability of nylon material extends further through specialized grades, each engineered to meet distinct industrial challenges. For example, molybdenum disulfide-filled (MOS2) and oil-filled nylon variants are particularly good in wear resistance, therefore reducing or eliminating the requirement for external lubrication.
Heat-stable nylon can be used in high-temperature environments, and it frequently has a glass reinforcement to increase strength. Concurrently, FDA-compliant nylon grades are developed for safe applications in food processing and consumable contact applications.
- Glass‑filled nylon
An enhanced form of the material, available in glass-filled nylon is a composite of the mechanical strength of glass fibre, with the flexibility and workability of nylon, a thermoplastic that is commonly used in 3D printing, injection moulding and CNC machining. The tensile strength, rigidity and general durability of nylon is highly improved by the introduction of the glass fibres in the nylon matrix. These advantages, however, result in performance increase of the material, but certain trade-offs that are experienced include reduced flexibility and brittle nature when evaluating the properties of the material.
Nylon Material Properties
| UNITS | ASTM TEST | EXTRUDED NYLON 6/6 | CAST NYLON 6 | MD-FILLED CAST NYLON 6 | OIL-FILLED CAST NYLON 6 | |
| TENSILE STRENGTH | psi | D638 | 12,400 | 10,000 – 13,500 | 10,000 – 14,000 | 9,500 – 11,000 |
| FLEXURAL MODULUS OF ELASTICITY | psi | D790 | 410,000 | 420,000 – 500,000 | 400,000 – 500,000 | 375,000 – 475,000 |
| IZOD IMPACT (notched) | ft-lbs/in of notch | D256 | 1.2 | 0.7 – 0.9 | 1.4 – 2.4 | 1.4 – 1.8 |
| HEAT DEFLECTION TEMPERATURE (@ 264 psi) | °F | D648 | 194 | 200 – 400 | 200 – 470 | 200 – 400 |
| WATER ABSORPTION (immersion 24 hours) | % | D570 | 1.20 | 0.6 – 1.20 | 0.05 – 1.40 | 0.50 – 0.60 |
Applications of Nylon Material
- Nylon rope: Nylon is very strong and hence it has been used in rope production in climbing and marine rope as well as towing. Due to its ability to withstand tension, abrasion, and being exposed to the elements, nylon rope is a dependable and durable rope.
- Plastic fasteners and machine components: Nylon is lightweight but robust; hence it is the best material to utilize to create plastic fasteners (nuts, bolts, and washers) and machine components (gears, bearings, and bushings). Due to its self-lubricating property, which reduces friction and wear, nylon is an excellent product in part that have to move.
- Stock shapes: Nylon can be prepared in stock shapes that include rods, tubes and sheets of nylon as raw material in other manufacturing processes. The stock shapes can be applied to many applications, and it is also simple to modify to suit various applications.
- Compo parts: Nylon is applied in various applications within the automotive sector as engine covers, fuel tanks, and door panels. The weight accumulation is minimized by using lightweight parts made of nylon, and this saves fuel. It is also powerful, and is impact resistant and this makes it last longer and also safe.
- Cook ware: Nylon is a heat resistant material, which is normally used in the cooking utensils like spatulas, ladles and spoons. It can also be used in non-stick cookware that is its best asset as it is able to resist high temperatures and not to stick to food. It can also be used in modern kitchens due to its safety and durability.
- Fabric and Textiles: Nylon fabric, which is very lightweight, strong and fast drying has been a staple of the textile industry. It is frequently mixed with other fibers to make garments more elastic, comfortable and breathable. Nylon material properties ensure high performance and comfort in sportswear, outdoor textiles and so on.
- Fishing Line: These are favored by fishers due to the high tenacity and flexibility of the nylon fishing lines besides abrasion resistance. They can be cast and retrieved easily and can be used in many fishing methods and in different water environments.
- Carpets: Nylon fiber is valued in the carpeting industry due to its strength, color retention and resistance to wear. This renders nylon carpets the choice among high traffic zones that do not lose their appeal and texture despite overuse.
Nylon 6 vs. Nylon 66: Comparison
| Nylon 6 | Nylon 66 | |
| Resistance to Hydrocarbons |
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| Mould Shrinkage* |
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| Impact Resistance |
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| Easiness To Colour |
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| Water Absorption Speed |
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| Recyclability Potential |
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| Molecular Mobility |
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| Elastic Recovery |
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| Dye Affinity |
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| Crystalline |
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| Heat Deflection Temperature |
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| Melting Point | (215° – 220°c) | (250° – 265°c) |
| Chemical Acid Resistance |
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| Rigidity |
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| Colour-Fastness |
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| Temperature Resistance |
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| Ability to clean |
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| Elastic Modulus |
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| Internal Structure | Less compact |
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| Polymerization Formation | Open Ring |
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| Moisture Regain | 4 – 4.5% | 4 – 4.5% |
| Monomer Requirements | 2 |
1 |
| Density | 1.2 g/ml |
1.15 g/ml |
| Degree of Polymerization | 200 |
60-80 |
Popular Nylon Products from Aashish Metal & Alloys
- Nylon Rods
- Nylon Sheets
- Nylon Bushes
- Nylon Tubes
Advantages of Using Nylon Material
Nylon material has emerged as the material of preference in industries because of its remarkable nylon material characteristics and affordability. In manufacturing to consumer products, it has many beneficial and economical features when compared to metals, and other plastics.
Durability :
The nylon is also well known because of its unequivocal strength and durability, which made it a favorite engineering material. The longevity of the material stimulated the large-scale application of it in military gear in parachutes and numerous other roles during the World War II. It is the friction and contact with other surfaces that increase the wear and abrasion resistance of nylon, which results in its superior strength and durability. Moreover, nylon has a high tensile and compressive strength, and thus can be used in cases when the nylon material needs to be capable of supporting forces and loads. Also, nylon is a highly inflammable substance, and this only serves to make it more secure to handle and safe to use.
Lightweight :
Light weight of nylon is also a strength particularly when it is against the traditional materials, including metals. Nylon as a plastic is of low density which makes it very light compared to metals like steel or aluminum. This feature is lightweight and is required in applications where aim is to have the minimum weight such as in automotive or aerospace supplied products. The fact that it is lightweight also implies that the value of strength of nylon remains relatively constant so in the event that the application demands a very lightweight material with a specified strength value, nylon will be a better configuration, as ex: sport equipment and other light weight structural components.
Cost-Effectiveness :
This is what makes nylon cost-effective since it can be produced using petrochemicals, and does not involve the farming and harvesting of natural resources. The petrochemicals are the raw materials used in the synthesis of nylon and this implies that it is a relatively easy process to make nylon. Moreover, it is not as reliant on external factors such as the weather or seasons as natural fibers are. Nylon is almost as good as natural fabrics such as silk, wool, metals, however, at a much lower cost. This has seen the use of nylon being adopted in a wide range of uses, especially with consumer products and industrial uses.
Waterproof :
The other property of nylon which makes it stand out of many other materials is its waterproof property. Natural fabrics such as cotton are easy to get wet and absorb it. The moisture moves to the surface of the textiles where it can be evaporated with the help of nylon. It is best suited in areas where water like rain wear, umbrellas, tents and outdoor equipment are to be safeguarded. It also does not absorb water, which is also beneficial in germinating mold and fungi as compared to natural fibers. This lessens the cleaning and maintenance.
Simple to Clean :
Nylon is waterproof and therefore easy to clean up and maintain. Damp cloth can normally remove surface stains and dirt. Also, nylon substance does not shrink and wrinkle to retain its shape and appearance even after being washed. It is also pleat-retentive and thus, pleats in the garments or fabric assemblies are not undone after washing. Due to its easy cleaning and repairing nature, nylon is commonly used in clothing, furniture and majority of the products that require regular washing and cleaning.
Easy to Manufacture:
Nylon is advantageous in the sense that it is simple to produce. It can save time of production because it dries fast. It is also easy to color or dye in order to have particular colors and patterns. The benefit of different colors presents design and production choice to create aestheticians. Besides being low moisture absorbent which makes nylon a good material to work with, it is also able to produce accurately cut and shaped pieces to be used in the final assembly. Moreover, nylon can be shaped into various shapes and sizes, and this also makes it popular in the field of manufacture.
Nylon Material Recyclability and Sustainability.
The nylon material properties of a high performance are perfect in a variety of durable products including apparel, bags, and backpacks. Once a product that is created using nylon material is engineered, it must be anticipated to be as durable as possible without the need to inject any additional energy. This would imply the improvement in durability, promotion of any form of re-use and second-life use. The nylon material should finally be recycled when its usefulness as a product comes to an end. This recycling, ideally, will occur on a local level relative to the location where the material was initially produced as well as at the same cycle of production in order to minimize the amount of waste and environmental impact that is created when nylon is made in its raw state.
Presently, the feedstock to the most frequently utilized forms of nylon material, nylon 6 and nylon 66 are provided by fossil resources, crude oil. New production techniques should be invented in order to minimize the reliance on these non-renewable feedstocks. Projections at Nova Institute suggest that in a decarbonized future economy, a significant portion of resources that will be recovered will be through material recycling and recovery of existing waste.
The Bottom Line
Nylon is still established as a strong, versatile, and reliable engineering polymer. The unique nylon material properties as well as cost effectiveness, nylon material is one of the ultimate materials used in various industrial applications. From nylon 6 to nylon 66 and numerous types of nylon material, this polymer has delivered useful produced high-quality products that are durable enough to meet the demands of modern manufacturing.
Nylon Material Frequently asked questions
Nylon is a synthetic polymer that belongs to the family of plastics known as polyamides. First introduced in the 1930s, it soon became one of the most popular materials in the world due to its great mechanical properties, specifically its high strength and resistance to wear. It is completely man-made with no organic fiber content.
Nylon is often considered a great material for many important reasons, including the good tensile strength, durability, flexibility, and low friction properties. It also offers resistance to chemicals as a flexible, lightweight material which can be used for molding in production venues. Additionally, it is non-biodegradable which can make it prone to pilling and statics in the applications of fabric.
Nylon is generally regarded to be an engineering plastic, being derived entirely of synthetic polymer chains. It is created from petrochemicals, making it a completely synthetic manufacturing material with no organic or natural content, which is to say it is considered 100% plastic.
Nylon finds a large variety of uses in textiles (clothing, carpets/ rugs, ropes), industrial components (gears, bearings, rollers), automotive (fuel tanks, other engine coverings), electrical (insulation, connectors), medical devices (catheters, sutures), packaging (films, bags), and construction (pipes, bolts, safety nets). It is easily one of the most widely used materials for manufacturing, consumer goods, and infrastructure.
