Engineering Plastic · Engineering Thermoplastic
PA6
PA6 is an engineering polymer — stiff, wear-resistant. Typical values: 60 MPa yield, 1.14 g/cm³, rated to 100 °C. Available for CNC machining, Sheet metal, Injection molding at FabDigit.
Properties
Typical room-temperature values in the Unfilled condition. Metric first, imperial in gray. The bars show where PA6 sits against the other 74 polymer grades in the catalog.
Datasheet
| Yield strength | 60 MPa9 ksi |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 80 MPa12 ksi |
| Hardness | 115 HRR |
| Density | 1.14 g/cm³0.041 lb/in³ |
| Specific strength (yield ÷ density) | 53 |
| Min service temp | -30 °C-22 °F |
| Max service temp | 100 °C212 °F |
| Electrical conductivity | < 0.001 % IACSinsulator |
| Machinability | Very good75 / 100 |
| Weldability | Good60 / 100 |
| Formability | Fair40 / 100 |
| ISO 513 machining group | N |
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Against other polymer grades
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. PA6 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to PA6. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better75 / 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 | Fair40 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Good60 / 100 |
Injection molding
| Mold shrinkage | 1.5 – 2.2 % |
|---|---|
| Wall thickness | 1 – 3.5 mm |
| Recommended draft | 1.5 ° |
| Pre-drying | 80 °C for 4 h |
| UV resistance | Fair |
Conditions and tempers
How PA6 is supplied and what each state is for. The default is what FabDigit quotes unless your drawing says otherwise.
| Condition | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UnfilledDefault Grade Modifier | Tougher and cheaper than filled — snap fits, housings, wear parts | — | 78 | 50 | R119 |
GF15 15% Glass Fiber (GF15) | Light stiffening — covers and brackets under modest load | — | 120 | 6 | — |
MoS2 Filled Additive | Self-lubricating nylon — gears and bushings running dry | — | 80 | 30 | — |
GF50 50% Glass Fiber (GF50) | Near-metal stiffness — pump housings, pressure parts; brittle | — | 220 | 2.5 | — |
Impact Modified Grade Modifier | Will not crack on impact — guards, snap fits; less stiff | — | 55 | 100 | — |
GF20 20% Glass Fiber (GF20) | Mid stiffness without GF30 brittleness — loaded brackets | — | 135 | 5 | — |
GF30 30% Glass Fiber (GF30) | The structural default — mounts, housings, gears under sustained load | — | 175 | 3.5 | — |
GF40 40% Glass Fiber (GF40) | Stiffer than GF30 for higher loads — more brittle, harder on tools | — | 200 | 3 | — |
CF20 20% Carbon Fiber (CF20) | High stiffness-to-weight — drone and robotics arms | — | 210 | 3 | — |
CF30 30% Carbon Fiber (CF30) | Stiffest, lightest option; bleeds static — precision fixtures | — | 240 | 2 | — |
FR V-0 UL94 V-0 Flame Rated | Self-extinguishing — required in most electronics enclosures | — | 70 | 20 | — |
Heat treatment and post-processing
Operations FabDigit's suppliers routinely run on PA6, ranked by how often they make sense for this grade.
Post-processing
| Manual Deburr | Deburrstandard |
|---|---|
| Edge Break (0.5mm) | Deburr |
| Heat-Stake Insert | Assembly |
| Ultrasonic Insert | Assembly |
| Laser Engrave | Marking |
| Press-fit Insert | Assembly |
| Silk Screen | Marking |
| CMM Inspection | Inspection |
| FAI Report | Inspection |
| Individual Bag | Packaging |
Surface finishes for PA6
Coatings and treatments compatible with polymer on the processes PA6 runs on. Pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing.
Injection Molding Coating
- EMI Shielding Coating
- Soft Touch Coating
- Spray Painting
- UV Coating
Organic Coating
- Painting
Marking / Decoration
- Chemical Etching
- Dot Peen Marking
- Electro-chemical Etching
- Embossing / Debossing
- Hot Stamping
- In-Mold Labeling (IML)
- Ink Stamping
- Laser Marking
- Mechanical Engraving
- Pad Printing
- Vibro Engraving / Scribing
Metallization / Functional
- Chrome Plating (Plastic)
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to PA6 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- AkulonCapronDurethanNylatronUltramid BMarkForged OnyxOnyxOnyx FR
- Also called
- Nylonnylon CFNylon-CFPolyamide
- Other
- Ertalon 6Tecamid 6Nylon 12Nylon 6PA12Polyamide 6Nylon 6 (PA6)Nylon 6 Extruded
Stock forms
Raw-material forms FabDigit sources PA6 in.
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.