PA6G
also Nylatron
PA6G is nylon 6 produced by anionic (in-mould) casting of caprolactam directly into rod, plate and tube, giving higher crystallinity, higher molecular weight and lower internal stress than extruded PA6.
Values for the Cast Unfilled condition
PA6G grades and fills
PA6G is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. Cast Unfilled is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
internally lubricated cast PA6 (oil-impregnated bearing grade) | Pick for dry-running or poorly lubricated plain bearings and slides: lowest friction and highest sliding speed/wear life of the cast nylon family. | 68 | 20 | 78 Shore D | |
Heat-stabilized cast PA6 | Use for long-term hot-air service (ovens, engine bays) where thermo-oxidative embrittlement of the natural grade would occur. | 76 | 80 | 20 | 82 Shore D |
Molybdenum disulphide filled cast PA6 | Choose when higher stiffness, better dimensional stability and improved dry wear are needed at moderate cost — standard for gears, sprockets and heavily loaded bushings. | 80 | 15 | 85 Shore D | |
Cast UnfilledDefault natural/ivory cast PA6 (MC nylon) | Default choice for gears, bushings, wear strips and general machined parts where maximum toughness and best electrical/food-neutral behaviour are wanted. | 82 | 25 | 82 Shore D |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways PA6G is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
FDA | FDA / food-contact cast PA6 | Certification |
What is PA6G?
PA6G is nylon 6 produced by anionic (in-mould) casting of caprolactam directly into rod, plate and tube, giving higher crystallinity, higher molecular weight and lower internal stress than extruded PA6. It is the standard low-cost engineering plastic for gears, bushings, wear pads, sheaves and large machined parts where high stiffness, toughness and dry-running wear resistance matter. Main limits are strong moisture pick-up (up to ~6–7 % saturation, with dimensional growth and loss of stiffness), poor resistance to acids and hot water/steam, and only ~100–110 °C continuous service. PA6G has a density of 1.15 g/cm³ (0.0415 lb/in³), lighter than 57% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 60°C (140 °F). PA6G has a yield strength of 78 MPa (11.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 82 MPa (11.9 ksi) — stronger than 86% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 3.4 GPa (0.493 Msi).
What is PA6G used for?
- Large gears
- Pulleys
- Wear pads
Advantages
- High strength — 78 MPa (11.3 ksi), better than 86% of polymer grades
- Easy to machine — 80/100, better than 84% of polymer grades
- Stiff — 3.4 GPa (0.493 Msi), better than 82% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.29 W/m·K (0.168 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 80% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Absorbs moisture — dry before molding — 1.3%, worse than 88% of polymer grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 62/100, worse than 87% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 6.8 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 75% of polymer grades
PA6G properties
Typical room-temperature values for PA6G-Cast Unfilled; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
PA6G has a density of 1.15 g/cm³ (0.0415 lb/in³), lighter than 57% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 60°C (140 °F).
Mechanical15
PA6G has a yield strength of 78 MPa (11.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 82 MPa (11.9 ksi) — stronger than 86% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 3.4 GPa (0.493 Msi).
Thermal11
PA6G is rated for continuous service to 105°C (221 °F). It conducts heat at 0.29 W/m·K (0.168 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 80% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 85 µm/m·K (47.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PA6G is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 28 kV/mm (711.2 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), worse than 87% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PA6G takes about 125 MJ of energy and emits 6.8 kg of CO₂ — more than 75% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability6
PA6G's machinability is very good (80/100, better than 84% of polymer grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability fair (35/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. PA6G is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with PA6G
Is PA6G easy to machine?
Excellent — sharp positive-rake tools, high speed with moderate feed, good chip clearance and air/mist cooling; anneal thick or unbalanced parts in oil at 150–170 °C to relieve stress before finish cuts.
Can PA6G be welded?
Not fusion weldable in cast stock practice; hot-plate or hot-gas welding of thin sections is possible but joints are weak — prefer mechanical fastening or adhesive bonding after flame/plasma pretreatment.
Can PA6G be formed, bent or molded?
Made by anionic in-mould casting of caprolactam at ~150–180 °C with negligible pressure, so very large rods, tubes and near-net shapes are practical; not an injection-moulding grade.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to PA6G. Every PA6G part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better80 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.8 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 400 / 500 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.5 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 10× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 0.8 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Excellent35 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Excellent30 / 100 |
Injection molding
| Mold shrinkage | — |
|---|---|
| Wall thickness | — – — |
| Recommended draft | — |
| Pre-drying | — |
PA6G chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| MoS2MoS2 Filled variant only | 1 – 3 | 2 |
| lubricating oilOil Filled variant only | 5 – 12 | 8 |
| heat stabilizer / pigmentHS and coloured grades | 0.1 – 1 | 0.5 |
| polycaprolactam (PA6, from ε-caprolactamanionically polymerized in mould with alkaline catalyst/activator (<1 %) | balance |
What surface finishes work on PA6G?
Turned/milled surfaces take a fine matte finish; can be dyed, printed or lightly polished, but no plating or anodizing — allow 0.3–0.5 % dimensional growth from moisture pick-up before setting final tolerances.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on polymer parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Injection Molding Coating
Organic Coating
Metallization / Functional
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to PA6G in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- Nylatron
How much does PA6G cost?
PA6G is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
PA6G — frequently asked
What is PA6G used for?
PA6G is typically used for large gears, pulleys and wear pads. In short: cast nylon machining plate.
What is the yield strength of PA6G?
PA6G has a typical yield strength of 78 MPa (11.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 82 MPa (11.9 ksi) — stronger than 86% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is PA6G easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (80/100, better than 84% of polymer grades). Excellent — sharp positive-rake tools, high speed with moderate feed, good chip clearance and air/mist cooling; anneal thick or unbalanced parts in oil at 150–170 °C to relieve stress before finish cuts.
Can PA6G be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Not fusion weldable in cast stock practice; hot-plate or hot-gas welding of thin sections is possible but joints are weak — prefer mechanical fastening or adhesive bonding after flame/plasma pretreatment.
What surface finishes work on PA6G?
Turned/milled surfaces take a fine matte finish; can be dyed, printed or lightly polished, but no plating or anodizing — allow 0.3–0.5 % dimensional growth from moisture pick-up before setting final tolerances.
Can PA6G be formed, bent or molded?
Made by anionic in-mould casting of caprolactam at ~150–180 °C with negligible pressure, so very large rods, tubes and near-net shapes are practical; not an injection-moulding grade.
What is the maximum service temperature of PA6G?
PA6G is rated for continuous use to about 105°C (221 °F), and briefly to 160°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between PA6G Cast Unfilled and PA6G HS?
Cast Unfilled is the default condition — default choice for gears, bushings, wear strips and general machined parts where maximum toughness and best electrical/food-neutral behaviour are wanted. HS: use for long-term hot-air service (ovens, engine bays) where thermo-oxidative embrittlement of the natural grade would occur. Yield strength is 78 MPa in Cast Unfilled versus 76 MPa in HS.
How much does PA6G cost?
PA6G is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in PA6G?
Yes — PA6G is available for CNC machining, sheet metal and injection molding; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- TECAST / TECAMID cast nylon product data — Ensinger (2023)
- Nylatron GS / NSM and Nylon 6 cast shapes data sheets — Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials (Quadrant) (2022)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- ASTM D6779 Standard Classification System for Polyamide Molding and Extrusion Materials — ASTM (2020)
- CAMPUS polyamide 6 datasheets — CWFG (2024)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.