PA6 and PA66 are both polyamides, also known as nylons, which are widely used in everyday life.
Although they are both polyamides, there are significant differences in their structure and properties, which give them advantages in different applications: PA6 (nylon 6) is suitable for parts that are subjected to high levels of stress, while PA66 (nylon 66) is more advantageous in applications with high mechanical properties.
When faced with a specific production process, should we choose PA6 or PA66? We hope that reading this article will solve your confusion.
Brief introduction of PA6 (Nylon 6)
PA6 (nylon 6) is an important polyamide material, usually in the form of small, uniform, translucent or white granules. It is made from lactam monomers by ring-opening polymerization and has a single, simple structure.
It has high mechanical strength and toughness, a melting point of about 220°C, excellent chemical resistance and good electrical insulation properties, but relatively high water absorption.
What Is PA66?
PA66 (nylon 66) is an important polyamide material formed by the polycondensation of hexanediamine and adipic acid,a complex reaction condition that gives PA66 more structural rigidity and stability.
It features high mechanical strength and stiffness, a high melting point (approx 260°C), excellent abrasion and chemical resistance, low water absorption, and good electrical insulation properties.
Typically appearing as small, homogeneous, semi-transparent or white particles, PA66 is widely used in industrial manufacturing.
Its applications span the automotive industry, electrical and electronic equipment, industrial machinery, and consumer products, making it ideal for high-performance and high-reliability requirements.
Comparison Of Physical And Mechanical Properties Of PA6 and PA66
The following chart shows a detailed comparison of the properties of PA6 and PA66.
Property | PA6 | PA66 |
Tensile Strength (MPa) | 60-80 | 70-90 |
Flexural Modulus (GPa) | 2.0-2.5 | 2.6-3.2 |
Melting Point (℃) | 220 | 260 |
Abrasion Resistance | Good | Excellent |
Chemical Resistance | Good | Excellent |
Water Absorption (%） | 1.3 | 0.9 |
Dielectric Strength (kV/mm) | 20 | 25 |
Processability | Easy | Easy |
Heat Distortion Temperature(℃) | 70-120 | 70-250 |
PA6 vs PA66: Price
PA6 (nylon 6) is a commonly used and inexpensive engineering plastic, costing about $3,500 to $4,000 per ton.
In contrast, PA66 (polyether ether ketone), a high-performance engineering plastic with excellent mechanical and thermal properties, is much more expensive, with filament prices ranging from about $350,000 to $420,000 per ton, and specialty powders costing as much as $597,000 per ton.
However, at the same time, the price change trend of PA6 and PA66 is consistent, mainly because of their correlation in raw materials, production costs, market demand, supply chain and other aspects.
Typical global market-based prices for these two materials are shown below, with specific reference to price trends in China, Europe and North America.
PA6 vs PA66:Applications
PA6 excels in toughness, abrasion resistance and processability, and not only has a low melting point, but also good fluidity.It is mainly used in the following aspects:
PA66 (nylon 66) is used for its high mechanical strength and heat resistance in the production of high-stress parts in automobiles, in the textile and packaging industries for high-strength fibers and food packaging materials, and in electronic and electrical equipment for connectors and insulation materials.
Common PA6 Examples
Auto parts: car engine cover, fuel tank and other parts.
Electronic and electrical: electronic component housings and connectors.
Consumer goods: such as coffee makers, blenders, and kitchen utensils.
Industrial applications: gears, pulleys, bearings and other mechanical parts.
Common PA66 Examples
High temperature and high load applications: hoods and engine parts.
Hot water system components: such as water heater pipes and connectors.
High-precision mechanical parts: gears and bearings, belts and chains, slides and guides.
Fire and flame retardant applications: fire resistant clothing and equipment, fire resistant doors and fire panels.
PA6 and PA66 Supply Chain Overview
The supply chain for PA6 (Polyamide 6) and PA66 (Polyamide 66) is complex and varied. From production, to raw materials, to origins, to markets, the table below lists a few aspects of the supply chain that will help you make a better choice.
Aspect | PA6 | PA66 |
Raw Material | Caprolactam | Hexamethylenediamine,Adipic Acid |
Major Suppliers | BASF,AkzoNobel,INEOS | INEOS,DSM,BASF |
Production Bases | China,Europe,North America | USA,Europe,Japan |
Major Producers | BASF,DSM,Ube Industries,Toray | DuPont,BASF,Ascend Performance |
Logistics & | Transported globally via sea,rail | Transported globally via sea,rail,and |
Logistics | Logistics costs,transportation time, | Logistics costs,transportation time, |
| Major markets:China,Europe,North | Major markets:North America,Europe, |
Demand | Macroeconomics,industry demand | Macroeconomics,industry demand, |
Overall Stability | Relatively stable,but subject to | Relatively stable,but subject to |
Sustainability of PA6 and PA66: Green Materials Of The Future
Both PA6 and PA66 shine in terms of environmental protection and sustainability.
PA6 can be recycled using mechanical, hot-melt, and chemical methods, which helps to reduce environmental pollution. However, its higher water absorption may necessitate drying during use to maintain optimal performance.
PA66 offers superior environmental suitability with low water absorption and high dimensional stability. It can also be recycled and reused through various methods, making it a sustainable, high-performance material.
These characteristics position PA6 and PA66 as exemplary green materials for the future, contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly industrial landscape.
Eco-friendly Cases Of PA6 (nylon 6) and PA66
- Lightweighting applications in the automotive industry.
- Use of recycled eco-friendly fibers for products such as clothing and backpacks.
- Environmentally friendly products in the electrical and electronics industry: e.g.Sony reproduces by recycling electronic waste.
- Green Building Materials for the Construction Industry.
- Biodegradable Packaging for the Food Packaging Industry.
Summarize
We hope the above introduction can help you understand the high quality characteristics of PA6 and PA66 products, and we sincerely welcome friends from all walks of life to buy PA6 and PA66 materials. We will provide you with high quality materials and professional services to meet your various needs.