Nylonbased

Nylonbased is a general term used to describe materials in which a nylon, or polyamide, serves as the primary polymer backbone. It covers a range of formulations, including homopolymers such as nylon 6 and nylon 66, as well as copolymers, blends, and composites that incorporate nylon as the defining component.

Nylonbased materials span a variety of families, including PA6, PA66, PA11, and PA12, along with their copolymers and reinforced variants. They are commonly processed by standard thermoplastic methods such as injection molding, extrusion, blow molding, and film extrusion, and are increasingly used in additive manufacturing with nylon-based filaments and powders. Reinforcement with glass fiber, carbon fiber, or mineral fillers is common to improve stiffness, heat resistance, and dimensional stability.

Key properties of nylonbased materials include high tensile strength, toughness, and good wear resistance, plus notable chemical resistance. They typically exhibit relatively high melting points and good fatigue performance. A distinguishing characteristic is moisture absorption, which can increase toughness but reduce dimensional stability and alter mechanical properties. This moisture sensitivity requires drying before processing and careful moisture management in end use.

Applications for nylonbased materials are wide and include automotive components such as gears and engine parts, electrical enclosures and housings for electronics, consumer and industrial goods, and textile fibers and fabrics. While offering a favorable strength-to-weight ratio, nylonbased polymers are not inherently biodegradable, and recycling options include mechanical recycling and chemical recycling to reclaim polyamides.

See also: polyamide, nylon fiber, reinforced nylon.