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Polyamide vs. Nylon: Which Material Fits Your CNC Machining Needs?
Table of Contents
The Material Selection Problem
Are you stuck trying to pick the right material for your next project? You have a big problem. Choosing between polyamide and nylon for your CNC machined parts can be very hard. Many people think they are the same thing. They are not!
This wrong choice can lead to:
- Parts that fail too soon
- Money wasted on remakes
- Projects that get delayed
- Unhappy customers
Why This Choice Keeps You Up at Night
The confusion gets worse when you look online. Some websites say polyamide and nylon are the same. Others say they are different. Who is right?
If you pick wrong:
- Your part might melt in hot places
- It could break when used
- It might absorb water and change size
- Your machine might stop working
Can you risk making this mistake?
The Istar Machining Solution
Good news! At Istar Machining, we know the real truth about polyamide and nylon. We can help you pick the right one for your CNC machining project.
Our team has years of experience working with both materials. We can make your parts with:
- Perfect precision
- Fast turnaround times
- Expert material advice
- Top quality results
Let us help you understand these materials so you can make the best choice for your next CNC prototype machining project.
What is Polyamide?
Polyamide is a big family of polymers. All polyamides have amide bonds in their backbone. Think of it like a big tree with many branches.
Types of Polyamides:
- Aliphatic polyamides: This is where nylon types live.
- Aromatic polyamides: Like Kevlar® which is super strong.
When you want precision CNC machining, knowing these differences matters a lot!
What is Nylon?
Nylon is a type of polyamide. It’s like saying a square is a rectangle, but not all rectangles are squares.
Common Types of Nylon:
- PA6: Used in car parts and clothes
- PA66: Used in gears and bearings
- PA12: Used in fuel lines
We at Istar Machining are experts in CNC machining nylon for all kinds of projects.
Key Differences Between Polyamide and Nylon
Look at this easy chart to see how they differ:
| What We Compare | Polyamide | Nylon |
|---|---|---|
| What’s in the Family | Big family (both aliphatic and aromatic) | Only a type of aliphatic polyamide |
| How Hot It Can Get | Some types handle very high heat | Medium heat resistance |
| How Much It Costs | Some types cost a lot (aramid > nylon) | Costs less than special polyamides |
| How Much Water It Soaks Up | Less in some types | More in most types |
| What It’s Used For | Airplane parts, bullet-proof vests | Clothes, gears, ropes |
Material Properties You Need to Know
How Strong They Are
| Material Type | How Strong (MPa) | Melting Point (°C) | Water Soaking (%) | How Dense (g/cm³) | Impact Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PA6 (Nylon 6) | 80-90 | 220 | 2.7-3.5 | 1.13 | Medium |
| PA66 (Nylon 66) | 80-100 | 265 | 2.5-3.0 | 1.14 | High |
| PA12 (Nylon 12) | 45-50 | 178 | 1.5 | 1.01 | Low |
| Aramid (Kevlar®) | 3,620 | 500+ (burns up) | 4-7 | 1.44 | Very High |
With our CNC milling service, we can shape these materials to meet your exact needs.
How They Handle Chemicals
| Chemical | PA6 | PA66 | PA12 | Aramid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acids | Bad | Bad | Good | Very Good |
| Oils | Good | Good | Very Good | Good |
| Sun | Bad | Bad | Good | Bad |
| Water | Bad | Bad | Good | Medium |
This is vital information when your parts need to work in tough places!
What These Materials Cost
Making smart choices helps save money:
| Factor | Nylon (PA6/PA66) | Special Polyamides (PA11/PA12) | Aramid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per kg (USD) | $3-5 | $8-15 | $20-30 |
| Bio-based Content | 0% | PA11: 100% (from castor beans) | 0% |
| Can be Recycled | 15-20% (limited) | 10-15% | <5% |
| Carbon Footprint | High | PA11: 30-50% lower than PA6 | Very High |
Real Success Stories
Car Companies Love PA66
Ford used PA66 in their car transmissions instead of metal. This made parts 30% lighter and improved fuel use by 5%.
Airplane Makers Choose Aramid
Boeing uses Kevlar® panels in their 787 planes. This cuts the weight by 20%. That means less fuel and more savings!
Medical Companies Pick PA11
Medtronic makes surgical tools from PA11 because it’s safe for the body and can be sterilized.
Which Industry Needs Which Material?
Different jobs need different materials. Here’s what works best:
For Cars and Trucks
Our automotive CNC machining experts recommend:
- PA66 for gears and bearings
- PA6 for covers and housings
- PA12 for fuel lines
For Airplanes
In aerospace CNC machining, we use:
- Aramid for safety parts
- PA12 for fuel systems
- PA66 for structural parts
For Medical Devices
Our medical CNC machining team suggests:
- PA11 for parts that touch patients
- PA12 for devices that need cleaning
- PA6 for equipment housings
How to Pick the Right Material
Follow these simple steps to choose between polyamide and nylon:
- How hot will it get?
- Very hot → Choose aramid polyamides
- Medium hot → Pick PA66
- Not very hot → PA6 works fine
- Will it touch chemicals?
- Strong chemicals → Use PA12
- Oil/gas → PA12 or PA11
- Just water → Any nylon works
- How strong must it be?
- Super strong → Aramid polyamides
- Very strong → PA66
- Medium strong → PA6
- What’s your budget?
- Small budget → PA6
- Medium budget → PA66
- Big budget → Special polyamides
At Istar Machining, our CNC parts machining experts can help you decide!
Common Questions People Ask
“Is nylon the same as polyamide?”
No. Nylon is a type of polyamide. All nylons are polyamides, but not all polyamides are nylons.
“Can nylon break down naturally?”
No. Most nylons are made in factories and take a very long time to break down in nature.
“Can I swap polyamide for nylon?”
It depends on what your part must do. If it needs to handle high heat or strong chemicals, you may need special polyamides, not just nylon.
“Which one is stronger?”
Aramid polyamides (like Kevlar®) are much stronger than PA66, which is stronger than PA6.
“Which one costs less?”
Regular nylons (PA6, PA66) cost less than special polyamides like PA11, PA12 or aramid types.
Why Choose Istar Machining for Your Material Needs
When you work with us, you get:
- Expert advice on material selection
- Perfect parts that fit your needs
- Fast service to meet your deadlines
- Fair prices that respect your budget
- High quality that makes you look good
We use 5 axis machining and other advanced techniques to create exactly what you need.
Take Action Now
Don’t risk picking the wrong material for your next project. Our team at Istar Machining can help you:
- Understand the differences between polyamide and nylon
- Choose the right material for your specific needs
- Create perfect parts that perform as needed
- Save money by getting it right the first time
- Finish your project on schedule
Contact us today for a free consultation on your polyamide or nylon machining needs!
