NYLON 66

Nylon 66 was discovered by Wallace Carothers, an American chemist working for DuPont, in 1935. Carothers led the research team at DuPont that was focused on developing synthetic polymers, and their work culminated in the creation of Nylon 66, which is made from hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid.

Carothers’ discovery of Nylon 66 marked a significant breakthrough in polymer chemistry and led to the commercialisation of nylon as a synthetic fibre, which became widely used in textiles, plastics, and numerous other applications due to its strength, durability, and resistance to abrasion.

Examples of our work in PA66 include a flame retardant cable guard for the railway industry, components for valves used in sprinkler systems, and spindles for retractable barriers. 

Why choose Nylon 66 for your injection moulding project?

  • 1. High Strength and stiffness: Nylon 66 has excellent mechanical properties, making it suitable for parts that require high strength and rigidity.
  • 2. Thermal Stability: It has a high melting point (about 255°C or 491°F), allowing it to maintain its properties at elevated temperatures.
  • 3. Wear and Abrasion Resistance: Nylon 66 is highly resistant to wear and abrasion, making it ideal for components subjected to friction and mechanical stress.
  • 4. Chemical Resistance: It offers good resistance to a wide range of chemicals, including oils, fuels, and many solvents.
  • 5. Low Friction Coefficient: Its low friction coefficient makes it suitable for moving parts and applications requiring smooth operation.
  • 6. Impact Resistance: Nylon 66 has good impact resistance, making it durable in applications that experience sudden forces or shocks.
  • 7. Good Fatigue Resistance: It can withstand repeated stress and strain, which is beneficial for parts that undergo cyclical loading
  • 8. Dimensional Stability: It has low creep and excellent dimensional stability, ensuring that parts retain their shape and dimensions over time.
  • 9. Moisture Absorption: While Nylon 66 does absorb moisture, it is less than some other types of nylon, which can help in maintaining dimensional stability in varying environmental conditions.
  • 10. Versatility: Nylon 66 can be easily modified with fillers, reinforcements, and additives to enhance specific properties such as flame retardancy, UV resistance, and stiffness.

Overall, these properties make Nylon 66 a versatile and reliable material for a wide range of injection moulding applications, from automotive parts and consumer goods to industrial components and electrical housings.

If you have an injection moulding project and are considering using Nylon 66, please get in touch with our technical team on 01280 706335 for a free consultation!

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