Nylon 6/6
The general-purpose engineering plastic — tough, wear-resistant and economical, and the usual starting point before a job needs something more specialised.
Nylon 6/6 typical properties
Figures are for unfilled nylon 6/6 stock shapes, dry (MCAM Ertalon 66 SA / Nylatron 101, with Ensinger TECAMID 66 where noted). These are typical values, not a specification. The datasheet behind each figure is linked in its row: the manufacturer’s where one publishes the figure, a distributor’s otherwise. Figures vary by supplier and test method, so confirm against the datasheet for the grade and stock form you are designing with.
| Property | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.15g/cc |
| Tensile strength | 12,000psi |
| Tensile modulus | 425,000psi |
| Flexural modulus | 450,000psi |
| Hardness | 85Rockwell M |
| Izod impact, notched | 0.6ft-lb/in |
| Max continuous service temp | 185°F manufacturer rating (long term)Ensinger TECAMID 66 natural (en-us product page) (opens in a new tab) Ensinger's long-term rating. MCAM's sheet prints 210 °F in its 20,000-hour row, against 80 °C (176 °F) in its own metric column. |
| Heat deflection temp @ 264 psi | 194°F |
| Water absorption, 24 h | 0.3% |
| Thermal expansion (CTE) | 5.5×10⁻⁵ in/in/°F ASTM E831 (TMA), -40 to 300 °FMCAM Nylatron 101 / Ertalon 66 SA PA66 product datasheet (rev 2023-03-07) (opens in a new tab) |
| FDA food contact | Yes Under 21 CFR 177.1500. |
Figures are dry, as machined. Strength and stiffness fall as the part takes up moisture; impact resistance rises.
What Nylon is
Versatile engineering plastic with excellent wear resistance and mechanical properties.
Nylon or Delrin?
The most common material question we get. Once it has taken up moisture, nylon is tougher and takes impact better; dry, as machined, it actually tests lower than acetal on notched impact (0.6 against 1.0 ft-lb/in). Delrin holds tolerances better because nylon absorbs moisture and a machined nylon part can grow in a humid or wet environment. Toughness in service, or dimensional stability — that trade-off usually settles it.
Machining Nylon
Nylon machines readily but moisture is the thing to plan around: parts can change dimension between the shop floor and service, so tolerances should be set with the working environment in mind.
Machining nylon: tolerances and tipsNeed Nylon parts machined to print?
Send us a drawing and we will quote it. Precision plastic machining in Linden, New Jersey since 1968.