POLYAMIDE

Polyamide, or nylon as it is commercially called, principally consists of normal CH2 groups binded together with molecular amide groups (NH.CO).

There are 4 basic raw materials used for obtained nylon. These are:

1. Adipic Acid (CH2)4(COOH)2
2. Cebasit Acid (CH2)8(COOH)2
3. Hexamethylenediamine (CH2)6(NH2)2
4. Caprolaktame (CH2)5(CONH)

The 3 basic molecule combinations with commercial importance are the nylon 6, the nylon 66 and the nylon 610.

Polyamide hardly catches fire and even if it does, it can extinguish by itself. Is is a plastic widely used in the machinery industry which releases a burnt vegetable smell or a dead tissue smell when burned. It is a hard, smooth material which has good mechanical strength values. With these properties it has various uses from gear applications to manufacturing of wheels.

It is known as “nylon 6” in the production sector. This name results from the international codes of the material. Such codes are pa 6, pa66 and pa 12.

Nylon 6, as it is called in the market, is a frequently used term in technical plastics. It can be easily used in applications such as films, filaments, injections and plates. It is also used in the textile sector as yarn, with addition opening glass fiber it also has wide use in the automotive and insulation materials. (the external plastic fittings of mobile phones are generally made from nylon 6.)


CHARACTERISTICS OF POLYAMIDE

1. High mechanical resistance,
2. Hardness and impact absorption,
3. Electrical insulation,
4. High wear resistance and skidding,
5. Resistance against chemicals,

GENERAL AREAS OF USE FOR POLYAMIDE

• Parts that are subject to impact loads
• Pulleys
• Gears
• Vibration absorbing elements
• General purpose engineering and maintenance applications.