Long-Chain Polyamides: A Brief Introduction to Nylon 6,10 and Nylon 6,12
What are Nylon 6,10 and 6,12?
Nylon 6,10 and 6,12 are thermoplastic polymers. Nylon (also called Polyamide or PA) 6,10 and 6,12 may be nylons like PA 6 or 6,6, however they are a unique chemistry with their own synthesis pathway, and with some interesting performance properties different from shorter chain nylons such as 6 and 6,6. 6.10 performs similarly to 6,12 while being partially composed of renewable resources (specifically, castor oil) making it an option considered for sustainable manufacturing polymers.
These two grades of nylon are copolymers, combinations of different di-acids with 12 carbon (6,12) or 10-carbon (6,10) chains. These di-acids are polymerized into nylon when coupled with a 6-carbon diamine. Nylon 6,12 was developed to address one of the challenges faced by users of the more-common nylon-6 polymer: Moisture absorption. The chemical structure of Nylon 6,10 and 6,12 include a greater the number of carbon atoms separating the amine groups than a nylon-6, and this ratio and chemical geometry leads to more resistance against moisture absorption for nylon 6,10 and nylon 6,12.
These nylons are perfect for many different manufacturing processes in the automotive industry.
For more information about why moisture absorption is important in nylons, and what impact it can have in nylon parts, see our other blog post here.
Other physical and mechanical plastic properties are influenced by this chemistry change - nylon 6,10 and 6,12 have less ductility than more common nylons, such as nylon 6 and nylon 6,6.
Let’s take a look at some of the strengths of these engineered plastics. PA 6,10 and 6,12 have high impact strength, excellent wear resistance, good electrical insulation properties and high chemical resistance. They also have lower moisture absorption than PA 6 and 6,6. As such they do not swell as much. They are also less sensitive to stress cracking.
Nylon 6,12 was specifically designed to avoid moisture absorption. This results in a polymer with low ductility and a less swelling. Nylon 6,10 is tougher than other Nylons, including 12, 6, and 6,6. It also retains its room temperature toughness even at cold temperatures and resists the cracking action of salts such as zinc chloride.
On the other hand they have lower flexural and tensile strength, lower heat deflection temperature, as well as greater mold shrinkage than standard Nylon due to their lower crystallinity. They are also more expensive due to their limited availability. (For further reading check out these in-depth articles: [1] , [2], and [3])
Nylon 6/10 and 6/12 applications include monofilament for items such as cables and brush bristles, extruded tubing, and grades of the specialty nylon that are reinforced with additives such as glass fiber or carbon fiber. Nylon 6,10 and 6,12 can also be used in certain food-contact applications with the proper certifications. Tubing and profile grades are great for being extruded into fuel lines, break lines, or pneumatic lines in applications such as automotive manufacturing. Reinforced grades are glass filled and target metal replacement and structural injection molding usages.
About NYCOA
NYCOA (the nylon corporation of America) commercially manufactures many grades of nylon, including NXTamid, a unique specialty polyamide alternative to nylon 11 and nylon 12. All NYCOA products are made in the USA, manufactured in our ISO plant located in Manchester, NH. NYCOA is dedicated to plastics engineering, plastics innovation, and a consistent quality earned through operational excellence. NYCOA is dedicated to its customers, and produces specialty engineered polymers for industries and partners around the world, and has plastics compounding capabilities to produce a variety of reinforced grades.
Nylon manufactures specialty engineered polyamide (nylon) plastics for many industries and applications, including fasteners, hook and loop, extruded parts, injection molding, foamed components, monofilament, powders, and wire and cable jacketing.
Connect with NYCOA on Facebook