Nylon is one of the most popular engineering plastics used in Usinage CNC due to its impressive balance of strength, durabilité, et machinabilité. As a thermoplastic material with excellent mechanical properties, nylon is widely used for manufacturing gears, bagues, spacers, roulements, and components in automotive, électrique, et applications industrielles.
Cependant, not all nylon materials are the same. Choosing the right nylon grade is crucial for achieving optimal performance, rentabilité, and long-term reliability in your CNC machined parts. This article provides an in-depth guide on the most common nylon grades, their properties, and how to select the ideal grade for your project.
Common Nylon Grades Overview
| Nylon Grade | Résistance à la traction (MPa) | Résistance chimique | Résistance à la température (°C) | Absorption d'humidité (%) | Coût | Applications typiques | Usinabilité |
| Nylon 6 | 60-85 | Bien | -40 à 85 | 1.5-2.5 | Faible | Engrenages, bagues, rouleaux | Bien |
| Nylon 6/6 | 75-100 | Better | -40 à 100 | 1.2-2.5 | Modéré | Pièces automobiles, attaches, engrenages | Bien |
| Nylon 4/6 | 80-110 | Better | -40 à 125 | 1.2-2.5 | Haut | High-temp gears, harsh chemicals | Équitable |
| Nylon 12 | 45-70 | Bien | -40 à 80 | 0.5-1.0 | Modéré | Scellés, flexible parts, tubing | Excellent |
| Nylon rempli de verre (30% Petite amie) | 150-250 | Better | -40 à 150 | Varie | Haut | De construction, load-bearing parts | Équitable |
Nylon Grades in Detail
Nylon 6
Nylon 6 is the most cost-effective and commonly used grade. It offers good strength, impact resistance, et résistance à l'usure, making it suitable for general-purpose applications like gears, pulleys, and bushings in moderate environments.
Nylon 6/6
Known for higher strength and rigidity than Nylon 6, Nylon 6/6 provides better thermal and chemical resistance. It is ideal for applications exposed to slightly higher temperatures and more demanding mechanical stress.
Nylon 4/6
This premium-grade nylon provides superior heat resistance, chemical stability, and lower moisture absorption. Nylon 4/6 is well-suited for high-temperature applications, équipement industriel, and parts exposed to harsh chemicals.
Nylon 12
Nylon 12 is a unique grade with excellent flexibility, low moisture absorption, and good chemical resistance. It performs well in humid or submerged environments, making it suitable for seals, tubing, et isolation électrique.
Nylon rempli de verre
Glass-filled nylon is reinforced with glass fibers to significantly enhance strength, rigidité, et stabilité dimensionnelle. It is the go-to choice for structural parts, composants automobiles, and high-load applications.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Nylon Grade
Propriétés mécaniques
Evaluate your part’s required strength, résistance à l'usure, and stiffness. For high-load or structural components, glass-filled nylon offers superior performance.
Résistance chimique
Select a nylon grade that resists oils, carburants, solvents, or chemicals your part may contact. Nylon 4/6 and Nylon 12 offer better chemical resistance than Nylon 6 or Nylon 6/6.
Résistance à la température
Ensure the nylon grade can withstand your application’s operating temperatures. Nylon 4/6 and glass-filled nylon have the highest thermal stability.
Absorption d'humidité
Since nylon absorbs moisture, which can affect part dimensions, use Nylon 12 or glass-filled nylon for humid or submerged conditions.
Conformité réglementaire
Ensure compliance with industry-specific standards, such as FDA-approved nylon grades for food and medical applications.
Finition de surface et esthétique
Consider the required surface finish, color stability, and appearance of the final product.
Nylon CNC Machining Challenges and Solutions
| Challenge | Solution |
| Warping and Distortion | Optimize fixturing, avoid removing excessive material quickly, and balance clamping pressure. |
| Stabilité dimensionnelle | Account for moisture absorption; select low-absorbing grades like Nylon 12. |
| Chip Control | Use sharp cutting tools, proper feed rates, and optimized spindle speeds for effective chip evacuation. |
Nylon CNC Machining vs. Alternative Manufacturing Methods
CNC Machining Nylon — Fast and Flexible
CNC machining is a great choice when you need strong, high-quality nylon parts quickly and in small to medium quantities. It’s perfect for custom parts or prototypes because there are no expensive molds required. You just upload your design, and the machine cuts your part directly from a nylon block.
Mieux pour: Custom parts, production de petits lots, prototypes, complex designs
Avantages: Fast lead time, tolérances étroites, excellente finition de surface, wide material choice
Les inconvénients: Higher cost per part for large quantities
Injection Molding Nylon — Great for Large Quantities
Injection molding is the go-to method for producing a lot of parts at a lower cost per piece — once you’ve paid for the mold. The process is slower to set up because making the mold takes time and money, but it’s very efficient for large production runs.
Mieux pour: High-volume production of simple to moderately complex parts
Avantages: Low cost per part in large volumes, good surface finish, consistent results
Les inconvénients: High upfront tooling cost, longer lead time for setup
3D Printing Nylon — Fast and Cost-Effective for Prototypes
3Impression D (also called additive manufacturing) is ideal for quickly producing nylon prototypes or low-volume parts with complex shapes. Cependant, the strength and finish of 3D printed nylon may not always match CNC machined parts.
Mieux pour: Prototypes rapides, pièces à faible volume, highly complex designs
Avantages: No tooling cost, fast turnaround, freedom of design
Les inconvénients: Lower strength and surface finish compared to CNC machining, limited material types
Quick Comparison Chart
| Méthode | Best Use | Vitesse | Coût par pièce | Options matérielles | Finition de surface | Volume de production |
| Usinage CNC | Custom parts, prototypes | Rapide | Moyen | Wide range of nylons | Excellent | Faible à moyen |
| Moulage par injection | Production de masse | Installation plus lente, production rapide | Faible (high tooling cost) | Wide range of nylons | Bien | Haut |
| 3D Impression | Prototypes, formes complexes | Très rapide | Faible à moyen | Limité (mostly Nylon 12) | Équitable | Faible à moyen |
Conclusion: How to Choose the Right Nylon Grade
Different nylon grades have different strengths, propriétés, and best-use cases. Picking the right one really depends on what you need your part to do.
Let’s break it down in a simple way.
Think About Strength and Durability
If your part needs to handle a lot of stress, pression, or heavy loads, you’ll want a tougher nylon grade.
→ Meilleur choix:
Nylon 6/6 — Strong, rigide, and very durable.
Nylon 66 Petite amie (Rempli de verre) — Even stronger with added glass fibers for extra toughness.
Consider Wear Resistance and Low Friction
Need your part to slide, move, or handle constant rubbing without wearing out? Some nylons are made just for that.
→ Meilleur choix:
Nylon with Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2) — Great for wear resistance and low friction.
Nylon with Oil or Lubricant Fillers — Built-in lubrication for smooth movement.
Think About Moisture Absorption
Nylon naturally absorbs water, which can change its size or shape. If your part will be in wet or humid conditions, you’ll want a nylon grade that handles moisture better.
→ Meilleur choix:
Nylon 12 — Low moisture absorption, stays stable in wet environments.
Nylon 6/12 — A nice balance of strength and moisture resistance.
Look at Temperature Resistance
Will your nylon part need to handle high heat? Some grades are better at this than others.
→ Meilleur choix:
Nylon 6/6 — Handles moderate heat well.
Heat-Stabilized Nylon — Specially designed for higher temperature environments.
Need Food-Safe Material?
If your part will be used in the food or medical industry, make sure to pick a nylon grade that meets safety standards.
→ Meilleur choix:
FDA Approved Nylon Grades — Safe for food contact and easy to clean.
Recommended External Links (Sources faisant autorité)
For Nylon Material Properties:
https://www.matweb.com — Comprehensive database for material properties
https://www.plasticsintl.com/plastics-materials/nylon — Nylon Material Types & Propriétés
https://www.professionalplastics.com/NYLON — Technical Data Sheets for Nylon Grades
For CNC Machining Resources:
https://www.hubs.com/knowledge-base/nylon-for-cnc-machining/ — Nylon for CNC Machining Guide
https://www.machinedesign.com/materials — Engineering Material Selection Advice
https://www.makeitfrom.com/material-properties/Nylon — Nylon Material Comparison
