PA6 (Nylon 6)
Polyamide 6 (Nylon 6) — the most widely used engineering thermoplastic. Excellent combination of mechanical strength, toughness, wear resistance, and chemical resistance. Properties are moisture-sensitive — conditioned (50% RH) values are significantly lower than dry values. Trade names include Ultramid B (BASF), Akulon (DSM), Zytel (DuPont). Used for gears, bearings, bushings, cable ties, structural brackets, and automotive under-hood components.
International equivalents
| Flag | Standard | Country | Grade | Number | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISO | INT | PA6 | — | REF | |
| 🇺🇸 | ASTM | USA | Nylon 6 / ASTM D4066 Group 011 | — | 100% |
Sources: ISO 1874-1, ASTM D4066
Chemical composition comparison (wt%)
Side-by-side: PA6 (Nylon 6) (COMPOSITION) (ISO 1874) vs Nylon 6 / ASTM D4066 Group 011 (ASTM)
| Element | PA6 (Nylon 6) (COMPOSITION) | Nylon 6 / ASTM D4066 Group 011 (ASTM) | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polycaprolactam (from ε-caprolactam) | 99–99.9% | — | — |
Mechanical properties
Dry As Molded
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 75–85 | MPa |
| Yield Strength | 70–80 | MPa |
| Elongation | 30–100 | % |
| Elastic Modulus | 2.7–3 | GPa |
| Density | 1.13–1.15 | g/cm3 |
| Glass Transition Temp (Tg) | 50–60 | °C |
| Melting Point | ≥ 220 | °C |
| Water Absorption (24h) | 1.2–1.6 | % |
Conditioned 50rh
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 55–65 | MPa |
| Elastic Modulus | 1.2–1.6 | GPa |
| Elongation | 100–250 | % |
Dry (as molded)
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 70–85 | MPa |
| Tensile Modulus | 2800–3300 | MPa |
| Elongation at Break | 30–100 | % |
| Charpy Impact (notched) | 5–8 | kJ/m² |
Conditioned (50% RH)
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 40–55 | MPa |
| Tensile Modulus | 1200–1600 | MPa |
| Charpy Impact (notched) | 10–15 | kJ/m² |
General
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.13–1.15 | g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 220–225 | °C |
| Glass Transition Temp | 47–55 | °C |
| Water Absorption (24h) | 1.3–1.8 | % |
| Water Absorption (saturation) | 8.5–10 | % |
Compatibility verdict
PA6 (Nylon 6) and Nylon 6 / ASTM D4066 Group 011: 100% composition match
Close equivalents but NOT identical.
Related materials
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