Material Selection Guide: Aluminum, Stainless Steel, and Titanium Alloy Comparison
Compare aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium for CNC machining. Analyze strength, weight, cost
Tough and wear-resistant — ready for friction and impact
Nylon (Polyamide, PA) is a versatile engineering thermoplastic known for its excellent toughness, wear resistance, and mechanical strength. It is widely used for gears, bearings, fasteners, and mechanical components requiring durability and low friction.
We machine several nylon grades including Nylon 6, Nylon 6/6, and glass-filled variants. Nylon offers outstanding fatigue resistance and can absorb impact loads without cracking. It also has excellent chemical resistance to oils, fuels, and many solvents.
Nylon does absorb moisture, which can affect dimensional stability in humid environments. For critical applications, we recommend glass-filled or moisture-stabilized grades. Nylon is available in natural (white) and black colors, and can be modified with additives for specific properties.
The following table lists typical mechanical, thermal, and physical properties for this material. Actual values may vary by grade and temper.
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|
We stock multiple grades for different application needs. Each grade offers distinct properties optimised for specific uses — click to view detailed specifications, machining advice and typical applications.
The most common nylon grade, with excellent mechanical properties, wear resistance, and chemical stability; used in gears, bearings, and fasteners.
View Details ToughSuperior impact resistance and surface finish compared to 6/6, easier to process; used for general mechanical parts and consumer products.
View Details High StrengthReinforced with 30% glass fiber for significantly enhanced strength, stiffness, and dimensional stability; used in structural and load-bearing parts.
View Details Self-LubricatingDispersed solid lubricant for self-lubricating performance; suitable for bearings, bushings, and wear parts.
View Details Low FrictionFilled with molybdenum disulfide for lower friction and improved wear resistance; used in gears and sliding components.
View Details CastCast nylon with higher molecular weight, providing superior toughness and wear resistance; used in large gears, pulleys, and seals.
View DetailsThis material is widely used across multiple industries for various applications, from precision prototypes to end-use production parts.
Surgical instruments, housings
Structural brackets, panels
Engine components, housings
Heat sinks, enclosures
Motor mounts, brackets
Fixtures, jigs, tooling
Frames, handles, cases
Fittings, valves, hardware
| Finish Type | Description | Ra (typical) |
|---|
The questions engineers ask most about machining, surface quality and selecting this material.
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