Nylon (Polyamide / PA) is one of the most versatile engineering plastics, valued for its high mechanical strength, toughness, and exceptional wear resistance. It is the material of choice for replacing metal in gears, bearings, and under-hood automotive parts to reduce weight and noise. However, Nylon absorbs moisture, which can make holding tight tolerances challenging. At Jucheng Precision, we understand these material behaviors. We utilize advanced CNC turning and milling strategies combined with strict environmental controls to machine Nylon parts that remain dimensionally stable. Whether you need standard PA6/PA66 or rigid Glass-Filled Nylon, our ISO 9001 certified facility delivers precision components tailored to your industrial needs.
Renowned for its exceptional toughness and impact damping. As a cast material, it has lower internal stress, making it the premier choice for oversized industrial components like crane sheaves, heavy-duty rollers, and wear pads that must absorb shock loads without cracking.
The most common engineering nylon, offering higher stiffness, hardness, and heat resistance than PA6. It features excellent wear resistance and self-lubricating properties. PA66 is the standard for high-volume CNC machining of gears, bushings, and automotive engine-zone components.
The low-moisture nylon designed for extreme dimensional stability. With the lowest water absorption of all polyamides, PA12 maintains its size and mechanical properties in humid or submerged environments. It is the top choice for fuel lines, subsea connectors, and precision outdoor hardware.
Reinforced with 30% glass fiber for maximum structural rigidity. It offers significantly higher tensile strength and a lower thermal expansion coefficient than standard nylon. Ideally suited for automotive air intake manifolds, pump impellers, and heavy-duty structural brackets under high mechanical loads.
| Grade | Common Name | Key Characteristics | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nylon 6 (PA6) | Cast Nylon | Excellent toughness, impact resistance, and surface finish. Slightly higher water absorption than PA66. | Large gears, wear pads, sheaves, rollers. |
| Nylon 6/6 (PA66) | Extruded Nylon | Higher mechanical strength, stiffness, and heat resistance than PA6. The most common grade for machining. | Automotive parts, electrical insulators, high-load bearings. |
| Glass-Filled Nylon | PA66 GF30 | Reinforced with 30% glass fibers. significantly stiffer and stronger. Lower moisture absorption but abrasive to tools. | Structural housings, power tool casings, pump impellers. |
| Nylon 12 (PA12) | Low Moisture Nylon | Lowest moisture absorption of any nylon. Excellent dimensional stability and chemical resistance. | Fuel lines, precision gears, hydraulic seals. |
| Capability | Technical Description | Jucheng Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Gear Hobbing & Milling | Machining precision plastic gears with optimized tooth profiles for noise reduction. | We produce silent-running nylon gears that outlast metal in low-lubrication environments. |
| Moisture Conditioning | Managing the moisture content of Nylon parts pre- and post-machining. | Ensures that the final dimensions delivered to the customer account for environmental expansion. |
| High-Speed Turning | Turning bushings, washers, and spacers with rapid cycle times. | Our automated bar-feeders allow for cost-effective mass production of nylon hardware. |
| Deep Hole Drilling | Drilling deep bores in nylon without melting the material due to friction. | We use specialized peck cycles and through-tool coolant to keep the material cool and chips evacuating. |
Moisture Management:
Nylon absorbs water (hygroscopic), which causes it to swell. We recommend machining dry stock and accounting for approx. 2-3% growth in humid environments during the design phase.
Coolant Strategy:
Nylon has a relatively low melting point compared to high-performance plastics. Sharp tools and abundant coolant are essential to prevent the material from melting and gumming up the cutter.
Tooling:
Very sharp, positive rake HSS or Carbide tools are best. Dull tools will generate excess heat, causing the nylon to smear and leaving a poor surface finish.
Deburring:
Nylon can be difficult to deburr because burrs tend to fold over rather than break off. We use specialized cryogenic deburring or manual trimming to ensure clean edges.
Automotive
Key Parts: Air intake manifolds, engine covers, oil pans, bushings.
Why Nylon: Withstands high temperatures and oil exposure while significantly reducing vehicle weight.
Industrial Machinery
Key Parts: Conveyor rollers, wear pads, pulleys, gears.
Why Nylon: High wear resistance and self-lubricating properties reduce maintenance downtime.
Electrical & Electronics
Key Parts: Coil bobbins, cable ties, insulating washers, connector housings.
Why Nylon: Good dielectric strength and toughness make it ideal for protecting electrical components.
Consumer Products
Key Parts: Power tool housings, sports equipment bindings, furniture casters.
Why Nylon: Impact resistance ensures durability against drops and heavy usage.
| Density | 1.13 - 1.15 g/cm³ |
| Tensile Strength | 70 - 85 MPa |
| Impact Strength | 50 - 100 J/m |
| Heat Deflection Temp | 70 - 100 °C |
| Hardness | 110 - 120 Rockwell R |
| Continuous Service Temp | 80 - 110 °C |
| Water Absorption | 1.5 - 2.8 % |
| Dielectric Strength | 15 - 25 kV/mm |
| Melting Point | 220 - 265 °C |
| Max. Part Size | 2000 mm (L) x 800 mm (W) x 600 mm (H) |
