Properties of Nylon 6 (PA-6)

Nylon 6, also known as polyamide 6, is a synthetic polymer that belongs to the nylon family. It is a thermoplastic material that is created through the polymerization of a specific monomer called caprolactam. Nylon 6 is known for its strength, durability, and resistance to wear and abrasion.

The following table provides a comprehensive list of nylon 6 (PA-6) properties in both SI and US customary/Imperial units at normal temperature and pressure (NTP).

Click on the icon to switch between Metric and Imperial units.

Table of Nylon 6 Properties
Physical Properties
Metric
CategoryThermoplastic
Density1130 kg/m3
Water Absorption2.7 %wt/day
Mechanical PropertiesMetric
Ultimate Tensile Strength78 MPa
Yield Tensile Strength44 MPa
Young’s Modulus (E)2.6 - 3.0 GPa
Flexural Modulus0.97 GPa
Elongation at Break300%
Rockwell Hardness (M)82
Static Friction Coefficient (µ)0.2 - 0.3
Thermal PropertiesMetric
Melting Point223 °C
Thermal Conductivity0.23 W/m·K
Specific Heat Capacity (Cp)1600 J/kg·K
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (αL)4.5×10-5 1/°C
Glass Transition Temperature (Tg)53 °C
Electrical PropertiesMetric
Relative Permittivity (@1 MHz) (εr)3.6
Electrical Resistivity5×1012 Ω·cm
Dielectric Field Strength (Ed)250 kV/cm
Optical PropertiesMetric
Refractive Index (589 nm)1.53
Hazardous DataMetric
Flammability Rating (ANSI/UL 94)Self extinguishable

Unless stated otherwise, all values are taken at room temperature (approximately 20°C or 68°F) and 1 atm pressure. (1 atm = 101,325 Pa)

Related Pages
References: 1) Cardarelli, François. Materials Handbook: A Concise Desktop Reference. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2018. 2) CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 97th Edition. United Kingdom: CRC Press, 2016-2017. 3) A.M. Howatson, P.G. Lun, J.D. Todd, P.D. Engineering Tables and Data. United Kingdom: University of Oxford, Department of Engineering Science, 2009.