ContactPA6, also known as Nylon 6, is one of the most widely used engineering plastics in the world. It offers a well-balanced combination of strength, toughness, heat resistance, reliability, and cost efficiency. From automotive components to industrial machinery, electronics, and consumer products, PA6 appears in almost every industry.
This guide explains what PA6 is, how it behaves, where it is used, how it is processed, and how to choose the right grade in a clear and approachable way.
What is PA6 (Nylon 6)?
PA6 is a polyamide made from caprolactam, forming long and durable molecular chains that give the material its characteristic strength, toughness, and heat resistance.
Its balance of mechanical performance, processability, and cost efficiency makes it one of the most widely used engineering plastics across multiple industries.
It's strong, reliable, and easy to manufacture — which is why engineers rely on it for such a wide range of applications.
Key Properties of PA6
Here's a quick look at what PA6 generally offers:
- Strong and tough — handles stress and impact well
- Good heat resistance — melting point around 220°C
- Durable under friction — suitable for gears and moving parts
- Resistant to oils, fuels, and lubricants
- Absorbs moisture — affects stiffness but increases impact strength
- Lightweight — much lighter than metal components
Note: While PA6 melts at ~220°C, its continuous use temperature is typically 90–120°C.
Let's dive deeper into the properties of PA6 — these values help illustrate why it is widely used across various engineering applications:
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.13 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | ~220°C |
| Tensile Strength | ~70 MPa (varies by grade) |
| Impact Strength | 5–15 kJ/m² |
| Water Absorption (24 hr) | 1.2–1.8% |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.23 W/(m·K) |
| Electrical Resistivity | 10¹³ Ω·cm |
Advantages and Limitations of PA6
🌟 Advantages
- Strong and mechanically reliable
Performs well under load, especially when reinforced with glass fiber, carbon fiber, mineral fillers, or hybrid reinforcements. - Great toughness
Handles impact and vibration better than many engineering plastics. - Good heat resistance
Suitable for under-the-hood and industrial environments. - Excellent chemical resistance
Resistant to oils, fuels, coolants, and lubricants. - Highly customizable
Performance can be tuned with GF, impact modifiers, mineral fillers, or lubricants.
⚠️ Limitations
- Moisture absorption
Can change dimensions and reduce stiffness (but increases impact strength). - Warpage risk
Shrinkage + moisture variation can deform parts if design is not optimized. - Moderate high-heat capability
For above 120–150°C continuous conditions, PA66 or high-temp nylons may be better. - Surface finish issues (for GF grades)
Glass fibers may appear on the surface.
To further improve nylon's performance, including its durability and flexibility, many manufacturers turn to impact modifiers. Learn how to Enhance Nylon Durability and Flexibility with the Right Impact Modifier.
Where Is PA6 Used? (Real-World Applications)
🚗 Automotive
- Engine covers
- Gears
- Brackets
- Oil-resistant housings
- Cooling & airflow components
⚡ Electronics & Electrical
- Connectors
- Switch housings
- Cable management systems
- Coil formers
🏭 Industrial Machinery
- Bearings
- Slide rails
- Conveyor parts
- Mechanical gears
🛠️ Consumer Goods
- Power tools
- Office furnitures
- Kitchen appliances
- Sporting equipment
- Components for scooters
- Components for strollers
🧵 Extrusion & Profiles
- Tubing
- Rods
- Strips
- Cable sheaths
How PA6 Is Processed
🧩 Injection Molding
The most common method for PA6 parts.
- Material must be dried properly
- Moisture affects melt flow, strength, and surface finish
- Mold temperature affects crystallinity and warpage
📏 Extrusion
PA6 has stable melt strength, suitable for:
- Tubes
- Rods
- Sheets
- Profiles
🫙 Blow Molding
Best for hollow parts. Impact-modified grades offer better melt strength and flexibility.
How to Improve PA6 Performance
- Glass Fiber Reinforcement (GF10–GF60)
Improves stiffness, strength, and dimensional stability. Excellent for lightweight metal replacement. - Impact Modification
Boosts toughness, especially at low temperatures. - Mineral Fillers
Enhance warpage control and surface appearance. - Carbon Fiber Reinforcement (CF10–CF40)
Provides very high strength-to-weight ratio, excellent stiffness, and improved dimensional stability for advanced structural applications. - Mineral Filler Blends
Customized combinations of talc, mica, or calcium carbonate to improve rigidity, heat resistance, and warpage control while maintaining balanced cost-performance. - Lubricants & Wear Additives
Improve sliding performance for gears, bearings, and wear-prone components. - Heat & UV Stabilizers
Required for high-temperature or outdoor applications. - PA6/PA66 Copolymers
Balance toughness, heat resistance, and ease of processing.
PA6 vs Other Engineering Plastics
- PA6 vs PA66: PA66 offers better heat resistance; PA6 offers better toughness and easier processing.
- PA6 vs PA12: PA12 absorbs far less moisture; PA6 provides higher strength and lower cost.
- PA6 vs PBT: PBT has better dimensional stability; PA6 is tougher and stronger under load.
- PA6 vs POM: POM excels in low-friction parts; PA6 has better heat and impact performance.
- PA6 vs PP: PP is cheaper and lightweight; PA6 is far stronger and more heat-resistant.
- PA6 vs PPO: PPO provides excellent dimensional stability and low moisture absorption; PA6 offers superior toughness, easier processing, and a better cost-performance balance.
Sustainability & Recyclability of PA6
♻️ Mechanical Recycling
PA6 scrap can be ground, cleaned, melted, and reprocessed. Performance can be restored using:
- Impact modifiers (Learn 5 Proven Ways to Improve Impact Resistance in Recycled Nylon (PA6/PA66)
- Glass fiber
- Stabilizers
- Chain extenders
🔄 Chemical Recycling (Depolymerization)
PA6 can be reverted back to caprolactam for near-virgin recycled quality.
🌍 Why PA6 Supports a Circular Economy
- Reduces waste
- Lowers carbon footprint
- Supports ISCC+ programs
- Compatible with Design for Recycling (DfR)
📌 Check out the full processes of recycling nylon, and how it is turned from waste into value.
How to Choose the Right PA6 Grade
Choose based on your application needs:
✔ High strength → PA6-GF30 / PA6-GF50
📌 For a deeper comparison of mechanical performance, see our guide on 30% vs 50% Glass Filled Nylon
✔ High toughness → Impact-modified PA6
📌 If your component requires low-temperature impact resistance or flexibility, explore Impact-Modified Nylon for Injection Molding for detailed insights.
✔ Dimensional stability → Mineral-filled PA6
📌 To understand how reinforced PA helps control warpage and improves precision, refer to High-Performance Reinforced PA : Solutions for Superior Strength and Dimensional Stability
✔ Smooth surface → Unfilled or mineral-filled
📌 For an overview of how additives influence appearance and molding behavior, see PA Compounds: The Role of Additives and Customized Solutions
✔ High heat resistance → PA6-GF, PA-CF or PA6/PA66 copolymers
📌 For a comparison of stiffness, heat handling, and lightweight applications, read Glass Fiber Reinforced Nylon vs. Carbon Fiber Reinforced Nylon : Key Differences
Tip: If temperature stays high or moisture exposure is extreme, PA66 or PA12 may be a better fit.
📌 Learn more:
Work With Nylon Material Experts
Choosing the best PA6 grade can dramatically improve performance, durability, and cost efficiency. If you need help selecting the right material or creating a custom PA6 formulation (GF, impact-modified, mineral-filled, or specialized blends), our engineering team is ready to support your project.
Contact us at info@aaccl.com for personalized recommendations.
