Nylon 6 is a thermoplastic polymer synthesized via the ring-opening polymerization of caprolactam. It is widely used in textiles, engineering plastics, and industrial applications.
1. Key Applications
Textiles and Fibers
Apparel: Used in the production of clothing, including shirts, socks, and sportswear, due to its durability, elasticity, and moisture-wicking properties.
Carpets and Rugs: Commonly used in carpet fibers because of its abrasion resistance and ability to retain color.
Industrial Fabrics: Used in conveyor belts, ropes, and parachutes due to its high strength and resistance to wear.
Engineering Plastics
Automotive Parts: Used in the manufacture of gears, bearings, and under-the-hood components due to its high mechanical strength and thermal stability.
Electrical Components: Employed in connectors, insulators, and circuit breakers because of its electrical insulation properties.
Consumer Goods: Used in kitchen utensils, tool handles, and toys due to its toughness and resistance to chemicals.
Films and Packaging
Food Packaging: Used in films for food packaging due to its barrier properties against gases and oils.
Industrial Films: Employed in flexible packaging, laminates, and coatings for its strength and chemical resistance.
Industrial Applications
Machinery Parts: Used in the production of gears, cams, and bushings because of its low friction and wear resistance.
3D Printing: Utilized as a filament in 3D printing for creating durable and heat-resistant parts.
Medical Applications
Surgical Sutures: Used in absorbable and non-absorbable sutures due to its biocompatibility and strength.
Medical Devices: Employed in components of medical devices, such as catheters and tubing, because of its flexibility and resistance to sterilization processes.
Composites
Reinforced Plastics: Used as a matrix material in fiber-reinforced composites for automotive, aerospace, and sporting goods applications.
Nanocomposites: Incorporated with nanoparticles to enhance mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties for advanced applications.
Adhesives and Coatings
Hot-Melt Adhesives: Used in adhesives for bonding textiles, plastics, and metals.
Protective Coatings: Applied as coatings to improve the durability and chemical resistance of surfaces.
Filtration
Membranes: Used in filtration membranes for water treatment, gas separation, and dialysis due to its porosity and chemical resistance.
Research and Development
Material Science: Investigated for use in advanced materials, such as self-healing polymers and smart textiles.
Sustainability: Studied for recycling and upcycling into new products to reduce environmental impact.
2. Industrial and Commercial Uses
Automotive Industry: Used in engine components, fuel systems, and interior parts.
Electronics Industry: Employed in connectors, insulators, and housings for electronic devices.
Textile Industry: Widely used in apparel, carpets, and industrial fabrics.
Packaging Industry: Utilized in flexible packaging and films.
Medical Industry: Used in sutures, medical devices, and filtration membranes.
3. Handling and Processing
Processing Methods:
Injection Molding: Used to produce complex shapes and parts.
Extrusion: Used to create fibers, films, and sheets.
3D Printing: Utilized as a filament for additive manufacturing.
Storage: Should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from moisture and direct sunlight.
4. Environmental and Safety Considerations
Recyclability: Nylon 6 can be recycled, but the process requires careful handling to maintain its properties.
Biodegradability: Not readily biodegradable; proper disposal and recycling are recommended.
Safety: Generally safe to handle, but dust or fumes generated during processing should be avoided.
Summary
Nylon 6 (CAS: 25038-54-4) is a versatile synthetic polymer with applications in textiles, engineering plastics, packaging, medical devices, and industrial components. Its excellent mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and processability make it a valuable material in various industries. Proper handling and recycling practices are essential to maximize its benefits and minimize environmental impact.
CHM.194121 - Nylon 6 - pellets - CAS: 25038-54-4
1. General Information
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Chemical Name: Nylon 6 (Polycaprolactam)
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CAS Number: 25038-54-4
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Molecular Formula: (C₆H₁₁NO)ₙ
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Appearance: White or off-white solid (granules, fibers, or films)
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Purity: Typically >99% (polymer grade)
2. Physical and Chemical Properties
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Melting Point: ~215–220°C
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Glass Transition Temperature (Tg): ~50°C
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Density: ~1.13–1.15 g/cm³
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Solubility:
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Soluble in formic acid, phenol, and cresol.
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Insoluble in water, alcohols, and most common organic solvents.
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Moisture Absorption: ~2.7–3.5% (at 50% relative humidity).
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Thermal Stability: Stable up to ~150°C; decomposes at higher temperatures.
3. Mechanical Properties
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Tensile Strength: ~70–80 MPa (dry, at room temperature).
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Elongation at Break: ~200–300%.
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Flexural Modulus: ~2.5–3.0 GPa.
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Impact Strength (Notched Izod): ~5–7 kJ/m².
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Hardness (Rockwell M): ~80–90.
4. Electrical Properties
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Dielectric Strength: ~20–25 kV/mm.
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Dielectric Constant: ~3.5–4.0 (at 1 MHz).
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Volume Resistivity: ~10¹³–10¹⁵ Ω·cm.
5. Thermal Properties
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Thermal Conductivity: ~0.25 W/m·K.
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Coefficient of Thermal Expansion: ~8–9 × 10⁻⁵ /°C.
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Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT): ~60–70°C (at 1.82 MPa).
6. Chemical Resistance
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Acids: Resistant to weak acids but attacked by strong acids.
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Bases: Resistant to weak bases but degraded by strong bases.
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Solvents: Resistant to most organic solvents, oils, and fuels.
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UV Resistance: Moderate; may degrade under prolonged UV exposure unless stabilized.
7. Composition
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Polymer Chain: Composed of repeating units of caprolactam.
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Additives: May include stabilizers, plasticizers, fillers, or reinforcements (e.g., glass fibers) to enhance specific properties.
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Impurities: Trace amounts of monomers, oligomers, or processing aids may be present.
8. Processing Methods
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Injection Molding: Suitable for producing complex parts with high precision.
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Extrusion: Used for fibers, films, and sheets.
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3D Printing: Compatible with fused deposition modeling (FDM) techniques.
9. Storage and Handling
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Storage Conditions:
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Store in a cool, dry place, away from moisture and direct sunlight.
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Keep in sealed containers to prevent moisture absorption.
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Shelf Life: Indefinite if stored properly, but prolonged exposure to moisture should be avoided.
10. Safety Information
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Toxicity: Generally non-toxic, but dust or fumes generated during processing should be avoided.
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Flammability: Combustible; may emit toxic fumes when burned.
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Handling Precautions:
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Use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and safety glasses.
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Ensure adequate ventilation during processing.
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11. Applications
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Textiles: Apparel, carpets, and industrial fabrics.
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Engineering Plastics: Automotive parts, electrical components, and consumer goods.
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Films and Packaging: Food packaging and industrial films.
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Medical Devices: Sutures, catheters, and filtration membranes.
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Composites: Fiber-reinforced plastics and nanocomposites.
12. Quality Control
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Purity Analysis: Determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.
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Mechanical Testing: Tensile strength, elongation, and impact strength are measured according to ASTM or ISO standards.
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Thermal Analysis: Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) are used to assess thermal properties.
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