Material Line-Up: Nylon 6 vs. Nylon 66

August 22, 2020 | Featured, Newsletter, Plastics Profiler

Glass fiber reinforced Nylon is a material often used to replace metal due to its higher strength to weight ratio.  While Nylon 6 and Nylon 66 offer similar benefits there are distinct differences that should be taken into account when selecting between the two grades.  Reference the table below or click on Nylon 6 & Nylon 66 Comparisons to understand these differences and end-use implications.

Nylon 6Nylon 66 Material Selection Implications
Lower Mold ShrinkageHigher Mold ShrinkageSelect Nylon 6 to better meet final application dimensions.
Higher Moisture AbsorptionLower Moisture AbsorptionSelect Nylon 66 for applications exposed to water or high humidity.
Lower Melting PointHigher Melting PointNylon 6 is easier to process than Nylon 66.
Higher Impact StrengthLower Impact StrengthSelect Nylon 6 for applications in environments that must withstand impact and stress.
Lower Heat Deflection TemperatureHigher Heat Deflection TemperatureSelect Nylon 66 for more demanding thermal applications.
Poor Chemical Resistance to AcidsChemical Resistance to AcidsSelect Nylon 66 in applications demanding sustained performance in harsh environments.
Better Resistance to HydrocarbonsResistance to HydrocarbonsSelect Nylon 6 for applications exposed to fuels and oils.
Better Lubricity and Wear ResistanceLubricity and Wear ResistanceSelect Nylon 6 for applications requiring a lower coefficient of friction.
Lustrous Surface FinishLess Lustrous Surface FinishSelect Nylon 6 for aesthetic applications.
Durable ColorMore Difficult to ColorSelect Nylon 6 for color match applications and improved weatherability.