What is Nylon PA66?
"Nylon" is the name introduced by DuPont in 1938 for the world's first fully synthetic polyamide fibre - chemically polyamide 66 (PA 66). Unlike other brand names, DuPont deliberately never trademarked "Nylon", using it from the outset as a generic category term.
"Nylon" is the name introduced by DuPont in 1938 for the world's first fully synthetic polyamide fibre - chemically polyamide 66 (PA 66). Unlike other brand names, DuPont deliberately never trademarked "Nylon", using it from the outset as a generic category term. Today Nylon internationally refers mainly to PA 66, but is also colloquially used as an umbrella term for polyamides in general. This sets Nylon apart from brand names such as Ertalon or Perlon, which are registered trademarks for specific polyamide semi-finished products or fibres.
Chemically, PA 66 is closely related to our already listed PA 6, but is built from two different monomers (hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid instead of caprolactam). This more symmetric chain structure gives PA 66 higher crystallinity, a noticeably higher melting temperature (around 260 °C versus approx. 220 °C for PA 6), and greater stiffness and heat deflection temperature (around 100 °C versus approx. 75 °C for PA 6). PA 6, in turn, usually scores with somewhat higher impact strength and easier processing.
Nylon PA66 is worthwhile when, compared with PA 6, additional stiffness, higher heat deflection temperature or a higher service temperature are required - for example in highly loaded gears, bushings and plain bearings, electrical and electronic components, and precision components in vehicle and mechanical engineering, aerospace and food processing (food-grade types available).
Technical Data
| Property | Value | Test Standard |
|---|---|---|
| General Properties | ||
| Density | 1.14 g/cm³ | DIN EN ISO 1183-1 |
| Moisture absorption | 2.5 % | DIN EN ISO 62 |
| Flammability (3 mm / 6 mm) | HB / HB | UL 94 |
| Mechanical Properties | ||
| Yield stress | 85 MPa | DIN EN ISO 527 |
| Elongation at break | 50 % | DIN EN ISO 527 |
| Tensile modulus | 3400 MPa | DIN EN ISO 527 |
| Notched impact strength | 4 kJ/m² | DIN EN ISO 179 |
| Shore hardness | 83 scale D | DIN EN ISO 868 |
| Thermal Properties | ||
| Melting temperature | 260 °C | ISO 11357-3 |
| Thermal conductivity | 0.28 W/(m·K) | DIN 52612-1 |
| Specific heat capacity | 1.60 kJ/(kg·K) | DIN 52612 |
| Coefficient of linear expansion | 90 · 10⁻⁶/K | DIN 53752 |
| Long-term service temperature | -40 to 100 °C | Average |
| Short-term max. service temperature | 170 °C | Average |
| Heat deflection temperature | 100 °C | DIN EN ISO 75, Method A, HDT |
| Electrical Properties | ||
| Dielectric constant | 3.8 | IEC 60250 |
| Dissipation factor (50 Hz) | 0.015 | IEC 60250 |
| Volume resistivity | 10¹⁴ Ω·cm | DIN EN 62631-3-1 |
| Surface resistivity | 10¹³ Ω | DIN EN 62631-3-2 |
| Dielectric strength | 25 kV/mm | IEC 60243 |
Nylon PA66 in detail
1What is Nylon PA66?+
Nylon is the name introduced by DuPont in 1938, never trademarked, for the world's first fully synthetic polyamide fibre - chemically polyamide 66 (PA 66). Unlike Ertalon or Perlon, Nylon was used as a generic category term from the outset and today refers internationally mainly to PA 66. Chemically it is a semi-crystalline engineering thermoplastic closely related to PA 6, but built from hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid instead of caprolactam.
2How does Liedtke machine Nylon PA66?+
PA 66 machines well - turning, milling, drilling and sawing produce clean results with good surface finish. Because of moisture absorption and comparatively high thermal expansion, we account for swelling and shrinkage behaviour at tight tolerances and condition the semi-finished product if required.
3When should I choose Nylon PA66?+
PA 66 is worthwhile when, compared with PA 6, additional stiffness, higher heat deflection temperature or a higher service temperature are required, for example:
- Highly loaded gears, bushings and plain bearings requiring stiffness
- Components requiring a higher continuous service temperature than PA 6 allows
- Electrical and electronic components requiring heat deflection resistance
- Precision components in vehicle and mechanical engineering
- Components for food processing (food-grade types available)
4What determines the price of a Nylon PA66 part?+
PA 66 is usually priced somewhat higher than PA 6, as the raw material and processing are slightly more involved. The component price is determined mainly by grade, shape and dimensions of the semi-finished product, material utilisation, machining effort and batch size. We are happy to provide binding prices on request based on your drawing.
5When is Nylon PA66 not the right choice?+
Where maximum impact strength at low temperatures or the lowest price is required, PA 6 often has the advantage. For continuous contact with hot water/steam, strong acids, flame-retardancy requirements or very high chemical requirements, PVDF, PPS or PEEK are more suitable.
6Advantages and disadvantages of Nylon PA66+
An honest assessment, and how the disadvantages can be mitigated in practice:
- Advantage: Higher stiffness and heat deflection temperature than PA 6
- Advantage: Higher continuous service temperature (up to approx. 100 °C)
- Advantage: High abrasion and wear resistance
- Advantage: Good sliding and damping properties
- Advantage: Machines and welds well
- Disadvantage: Absorbs moisture, dimensional and property changes
- Disadvantage: Somewhat lower impact strength than PA 6
- Disadvantage: Not resistant to strong acids and hot water (hydrolysis)
- Disadvantage: Not flame-retardant (UL 94 HB)
- Disadvantage: Somewhat higher price than PA 6
- Practical tip: Where maximum impact strength or the lowest price is required, we choose PA 6. Where higher stiffness, heat deflection temperature or service temperature matter, PA 66 (Nylon) is the better choice.
Typical properties
- Good toughness
- High mechanical strength and stiffness
- High abrasion resistance
- Good sliding properties
- Higher heat deflection temperature than PA 6
- Good machinability and weldability
- Good electrical insulating properties
- Food-grade types available
Typical industries
- Vehicle construction
- Mechanical and plant engineering
- Conveying technology & automation
- Electrical engineering and electronics
- Aerospace
- Food industry
- Agriculture & commercial vehicles
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