Choosing the Right Nylon: Exploring the Difference Nylon 6 Vs. Nylon 66

Nylon 6 is made from caprolactam, which has six carbon atoms. Nylon 6/6 is made from hexamethylene diamine, which has six carbon atoms, and adipic acid, which has six carbon atoms.

Both Nylon 6 and Nylon 66 are made of polyamide. A polyamide is a long chain of amide bonds (-CO-NH-) that can be made in a lab or found in nature. Polyamides like Nylon 6 and Nylon 66 are made in a lab. Nylon 6 is not a condensation polymer. Instead, it is a semicrystalline polyamide. Polyamide also comes in the form of Nylon 66. The most significant difference between Nylon 6 and Nylon 66 is that Nylon 6 is made through a process called “ring opening polymerization, while nylon 66 is made through a process called “condensation polymerization.

Nylon 6: Everything you need to know

Nylon 6 has the same strength, stiffness, and toughness as the rest of the nylon family. It does an excellent job of keeping noise out and heat in. Some people call it PA6.

It slides with little friction, doesn’t tire, and wears little over time. It is also easy to work with and can quickly be made into its final shape. It also has a shiny surface.

Common characteristics of Nylon 6

Properties of chemicals
Water absorption
Melting point between 210 and 220 degrees Celsius.
It has a good record of being stable in temperature.
Reactivity with certain chemicals, such as solid acids and bases
It needs to stand up better to ultraviolet (UV) light. It’s naturally explosive and can melt and drip when exposed to fire.
It can be changed chemically to improve or change its qualities.
It can handle both acidic and alkaline conditions well.

Common Applications of Nylon 6

It is applied to sportswear, blouses, dresses, raincoats, hosiery, lingerie, and undergarments.
Tyre cords, seat belts, hoses, conveyor belts, v belts, typewriter ribbons, racket strings, sleeping bags, tarps, and tents are just a few examples of industrial uses.
It is used to create upholstered furniture, carpets, curtains, and bedspreads for homes.
It produces brushes and agro and marine textiles like sailcloths, ropes, fishing nets, and plant nets.

Advantages of Nylon 6

Nylon 6’s rigidity and abrasion resistance.
This substance has superior impact resistance, wear resistance, and electrical insulating qualities.
It will revert to its original dimensions after being stretched out of shape since it is a highly elastic and fatigue-resistant material.
This non-toxic polyamide can be mixed with carbon or glass fibers to improve performance.
The amount of moisture a substance can absorb directly relates to how much water it can absorb.
The high affinity of nylon 6 for particular dyestuffs enables a broader range of dyeing techniques, with the potential for designs with more vivid and intricate colors.

Disadvantages of Nylon 6

The low melting point and considerable water absorption of nylon 6 make it unique.
If subjected to high temperatures or light for an extended length of time, this material may lose its breaking strength, elongation, and toughness permanently.
The material cannot withstand UV exposure.

Nylon 66: Everything you need to know

Nylon 66, or more specifically, nylon 66, is a type of polyamide that combines a diamine and a dicarboxylic acid. Hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid are the monomers used to make nylon 66. Both substances have 6 carbon atoms, so their polymer is called nylon 66 or PA66.

Common Characteristics of Nylon 66

Good at not getting tired.
High strength, stiffness, hardness, and toughness when used as a tool.
High technical ability to dampen.
Excellent resistance to wear
Good qualities for moving.
Insulates well from electricity.
Easy to work with.
Good protection from gamma and x-ray radiation, which have a lot of energy.

Common Applications of Nylon 66

Nylon 66 is often used when it is needed to have excellent mechanical strength, rigidity, and heat stability.
It makes fibers for clothes, rugs, and molded parts.
It is used for many things in cars, including “under the hood” parts like oil pans, radiator end tanks, rocker covers, air intake pipes, and air intake manifolds.
Other uses include making pipes, profiles, machine parts, zip ties, conveyor belts, hoses, guns with polymer frames, and the top layer of turnout blankets.

Advantages of Nylon 66

Nylon 66 is the nylon group that is used the most:

Without fillers, it stays strong in the most extensive range of temperatures and the most wet conditions of any nylon.
It is also resistant to wear and has the lowest ability to let mineral oils, gasoline, and fluorocarbon refrigerants through.
It has better weathering properties, and Nylon 66 is more resistant to chemicals like saturated calcium chloride.
It is also often used for electrical parts and to replace metal in the bodies of die-cast hand tools.
Its Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) is also a big plus. So, it’s clear that Nylon 66 is a great choice when wet but not so much when it’s dry.
Nylon 66 absorbs much water, has low impact strength, and is hard to bend. It is also the most vulnerable to damage from UV light and oxidation.

Disadvantages of Nylon 66

High water absorption
When it’s dry, the strength of a strike is lower.
It takes a lot of work to keep track of the molding process.

Comparison Between Nylon 6 Vs. Nylon 66

Type	Nylon 6	Nylon 66
Short description	Polycaprolactam, also known as Nylon 6, is a type of polymer called semicrystalline polyamide.	The ring-opening polymerization of caprolactam makes nylon 6. Because caprolactam has six carbons, it is called Nylon 6.
What ingredients were used to make this	Nylon is used to make rugs, ropes, seat belts, parachutes, industrial cords, hoses, clothing, and hosiery.	Nylon 66 is made of two parts called monomers. hexamethylenediamine, and adipic acid, which each have 6 carbon atoms. This is how Nylon 66 gets its name.
applications	Nylon makes rugs, ropes, seat belts, parachutes, and industrial cords. It is also used to make hose, clothing, and hosiery.	Nylon 66 is often used when great mechanical strength, rigidity, good stability at high temperatures, and chemical resistance are needed.
Characteristics	Nylon 6 fibers are strong and have a high tensile strength, flexibility, and shine.	The repeat unit of nylon 6,6 has a molecular weight of 226.32 g/mol and a solid density of 1.24 g/(cm3).
Pros	Nylon 6 cannot break down easily and has high tensile and impact strength and the ability to be machined and stretched.	Nylon 6:6 has a high tensile strength and lasts long, making it perfect for rugged uses.
Cons	The lousy thing about nylon 6 is its low melting point.	No self-extinguishing

Final Words

The basic material of Nylon 6 and Nylon 66 is polyamide, but their properties are different. Some plastic parts can be made of Nylon 6 and Nylon 66, but most plastic parts can’t.

If you are unfamiliar with Nylon 6 and Nylon 66 and need a trustworthy supplier, don’t hesitate to contact UVTECO, a leading supplier of plastic engineering and machining services.