Polyamide (PA)
What is polyamide?
PA, short for polyamide, also goes by the trade name of nylon.
Polyamide is a food-approved thermoplastic, which is typically used in machine parts and products such as:
- Sleeves
- Bearings
- Blade steering and other wear parts
- Wheels
- ... and many other machine parts
At Induflex we work with nylon (polyamide) as a construction plastic, but nylon is also known as a textile, which is used in:
- Parachutes
- Nylon stockings
- Sports equipment
- Tents
- Rope
- Fishing line
Several companies produce polyamide, and the material is known under several brand names such as TECAMID®, Nylantron® og Ertalon®.
The characteristics and advantages of polyamide
Polyamide can withstand heavy impacts and has good wear resistance and mechanical strength. It is also highly resistant to chemicals.
Polyamide is therefore used in heavy mechanical processes where mechanical strength is paramount and where there is intense wear from sand or pressure, for instance.
However, polyamide absorbs water easily, so tolerance requirements must be considered.
Polyamide is supplied in sheets, rods and tube blanks in a natural colour. Other types of polyamide exist, namely PA 6.6 and PA 12.
PA 6.6
PA 6.6 is very rigid and hard and has good impact resistance and dimensional stability when subjected to heat.
However, it tends to absorb more moisture than PA 6.
PA 6.6 is supplied in sheets and rods in natural, blue and black colours.
PA 12
PA 12, like PA 6 and PA 6.6, has good impact resistance. The outstanding properties of PA 12 are its good sliding and friction qualities and wear resistance.
It has high rigidity, good chemical resistance and the lowest water absorption and melting point of all the polyamides. It also has a low density.
PA 12 is supplied in a natural colour.
Food-approved polyamide
If you order PA 6 polyamide products or blanks from Induflex, the standard material is FCM (Food Contact Material).
What shapes and dimensions does polyamide come in?
As mentioned polyamide is available in sheets, rods and tubes. We have the following in stock and ready for production.
Sheets, PA 6 extruded and cast, 2000 x 1000 mm
- Nature: from 0,5, 1, 2 and 3 mm up to 130 mm in thickness
- Black MOS 2: from 1, 2 and 3 mm up to 130 mm in thickness
Rods
- PA 6 extruded or cast in nature: 6 - 800 mm in diameter
- PA 6 extruded or cast in black MOS 2: 10 - 800 mm in diameter
- PA 6.6 extruded in black MOS 2: 10 - 100 mm in diameter
- PA 6.6 extruded in nature: 4 - 200 mm in diameter
Hollow bars, PA 6 in nature, mm in diameter
| Extruded | Cast |
| 45/25 | 90/50 |
| 50/25 | 100/50 |
| 56/30 | 120/50 |
| 60/30 | 120/80 |
| 60/50 | 150/100 |
| 70/35,72 | 180/120 |
| 80/40 | 200/150 |
| 80/50 | 250/200 |
| 80/60 | 300/200 |
Polyamide additives
Various additives can be used to modify your polyamide depending on what you require of the product.
Adding MOS 2:
- Colour: Black
- Purpose: Increases rigidity, hardness and dimensional stability. Better sliding and friction qualities and wear resistance. Is more UV-resistant.
- Note that the addition of MOS 2 reduces the material's impact resistance.
- MO comes in sheets or rods.
Adding glass fibre:
- Colour: Black
- Purpose: Increases mechanical strength and service temperature and reduces water absorption.
Adding CF (carbon):
- Colour: Black
- Purpose: Increases rigidity, mechanical strength and crimp rigidity.
Please note that the FCM approval will not apply in the case of the above additives.
Contact us for advice or questions about additives and their effects. We will of course be happy to advise you.
Processing polyamide
We perform CNC turning and milling of your polyamide products.
Alternatives to polyamide
PEHD (polyethylene) can be an alternative to polyamide.
Get inspiration for your choice of material in our technical brochure.
You can also compare PA to other construction plastics in our table of plastics.
Want to know more about polyamide or want us to help with your choice of material? You are always welcome to contact us.
