Custom Nylon (PA) CNC Machining Services in China
Machining Tough, Durable, and Wear-Resistant Components for Industrial and Mechanical Applications.
- ISO 9001 Certified
- PA6 & PA66 Grades
- Excellent for Wear Pads & Bushings
Your Expert Partner for Nylon Machining
Celerity Precision is a leading manufacturing partner in China for the custom CNC machining of Nylon (Polyamide, PA). Nylon is a highly versatile and widely used engineering thermoplastic, celebrated for its exceptional toughness, high wear resistance, and excellent resistance to chemicals and abrasion. It is the material of choice for creating durable mechanical parts that are subjected to friction and dynamic loads, such as gears, sheaves, wear pads, and bushings. Machining Nylon requires specific expertise to manage its flexibility and moisture absorption. Our facility is fully equipped with the right tools and knowledge to machine Nylon parts to precise specifications, delivering components that are built to withstand the toughest industrial environments.
Why Choose Nylon for Your Machined Parts
Nylon is a semi-crystalline plastic that offers a superb combination of mechanical toughness and chemical resistance, making it an excellent replacement for metal in many wear applications. It has a low coefficient of friction and can often operate with little to no lubrication, reducing maintenance and noise. While its tendency to absorb moisture can affect dimensional stability, this property also makes it incredibly tough and resistant to impact. At Celerity Precision, we employ sharp tooling, high cutting speeds, and proper material handling to machine Nylon cleanly and effectively, ensuring we produce parts that are both precise and durable.
Exceptional Toughness & Durability
Highly resistant to impact and wear, making it one of the toughest plastics available.
High Wear Resistance
Excellent performance in sliding and friction applications, even without lubrication.
Good Chemical Resistance
Resistant to a wide range of oils, fuels, and industrial chemicals.
Low Coefficient of Friction
A naturally slippery material that is ideal for wear pads, bearings, and rollers.
High Strength & Fatigue Resistance
Maintains its strength under repeated loading and vibration.
Good Electrical Insulation
A reliable electrical insulator for a wide range of applications.
Nylon 6/6 (PA66)
The most common grade for machining. It offers a great balance of stiffness, strength, and toughness. It has a higher melting point and is slightly harder and more rigid than Nylon 6.
| Tensile Strength, Yield (MPa) | 85 MPa |
| Elongation at Break (%) | 60% |
| Hardness (Brinnell) | 120 |
| Density (g/cm³) | 1.15 |
Nylon 6 (PA6)
This grade is slightly softer and has better ductility and impact toughness than Nylon 6/6. It is also slightly less expensive and easier to process.
| Tensile Strength, Yield (MPa) | 80 MPa |
| Elongation at Break (%) | 150% |
| Hardness (Brinnell) | 119 |
| Density (g/cm³) | 1.14 |
Surface Finishing Options for Nylon
Nylon’s chemical resistance limits the types of finishes that can be applied. It is most often used in its natural, as-machined state.
As Machined
This is the most common finish. Nylon machines to a clean, smooth, semi-gloss surface. Standard colors are natural (off-white) and black.
Tumbling
Can be used to create a smoother, more uniform surface finish and to deburr parts in a batch process.
Pros and Cons of Nylon CNC Machining
Pros
- Outstanding Toughness: One of the most durable and impact-resistant plastics.
- Excellent for Wear Parts: A top choice for gears, rollers, and wear pads due to its low friction and abrasion resistance.
- Good Chemical Resistance: Performs well in contact with automotive fluids and industrial chemicals.
- Lightweight Metal Replacement: Can replace metals like bronze and steel in many bearing and wear applications, reducing weight and noise.
Cons
- Hygroscopic (Absorbs Moisture): This is the main disadvantage. Nylon will absorb water from the environment, causing it to swell and change dimensions. This must be considered in the design for tight-tolerance parts.
- Difficult to Machine Cleanly: Its softness can make it prone to burring and melting if not machined with very sharp tools and proper cooling.
- Lower Dimensional Stability: Compared to acetal (POM), its dimensions are less stable due to moisture absorption and thermal expansion.
- Poor UV Resistance: Natural (unfilled) grades will degrade with prolonged exposure to sunlight. Black grades offer better UV resistance.
Applications of CNC Machined Nylon Parts
Industrial Machinery
Wear pads, guide rails, rollers, gears, and sheaves.
Automotive
Bushings, thrust washers, and components for engine bays.
Aerospace
Low-friction clamps, bushings, and grommets.
Electronics
Insulators, connectors, and terminal blocks.
Consumer Products
High-impact components for power tools and sporting goods.
Medical
Non-implantable components for medical devices and equipment (specific grades).
Nylon Machining FAQ
What is the main difference between Nylon 6 and Nylon 6/6?
Nylon 6/6 is generally stiffer, harder, and has a higher melting point, making it better for high-temperature applications. Nylon 6 is more ductile and has better impact strength. For most machined parts, their performance is very similar.
How does moisture absorption affect my Nylon parts?
When Nylon absorbs moisture, it swells (increases in size) and becomes more flexible and tougher. This dimensional change must be accounted for in the design of high-precision parts. We can provide data on the expected change.
Which is better for bearings, Nylon or POM (Delrin)?
Both are excellent. Choose POM (Delrin) when you need the absolute best dimensional stability and performance in a wet environment. Choose Nylon when you need higher toughness and impact resistance.
How do you prevent burrs when machining Nylon?
We use extremely sharp, dedicated cutting tools (often with a high positive rake angle), high spindle speeds, and aggressive feed rates. This ensures the material is “sheared” cleanly rather than being pushed or melted.
Can Nylon be glued or bonded?
It is difficult to bond due to its chemical resistance. It typically requires specialized surface preparation and adhesives like epoxies or cyanoacrylates with a primer.
What colors is Nylon available in?
The standard stock colors for machining are natural (an off-white or cream color) and black. Black grades offer better UV resistance for outdoor use.
Is Nylon a good electrical insulator?
Yes, it is a very good insulator. However, its electrical properties can change as it absorbs moisture.
How can I manage the dimensional changes from moisture?
There are two main strategies: design with looser tolerances to accommodate the change, or pre-condition the material by soaking it in water before final machining so that it is in a stable, expanded state.