Typical Application Scenarios
Machinery and Automation Equipment
- Wear-Resistant Transmission Components: Gears (low speed/medium load), Bearings (self-lubricating metal alternative), Cams (wear-resistant).
- Structural Support Components: Equipment frame connecting plates, protective covers (impact-resistant and lightweight).
- Guide Rails and Slides: Guide components for machine tool tables (low friction, high rigidity).
Automotive and Transportation
- Interior Components: Instrument panel brackets, door panel connectors (high-temperature resistant and lightweight).
- Engine Peripheral Components: Cooling fan blades (oil-resistant and vibration-resistant), intake manifold auxiliary parts (short-term high-temperature resistance).
Electronic and Electrical Equipment
- Insulating Structural Components: Circuit board brackets, junction box covers (electrical insulation and temperature resistance).
- Switch Panels: Operating panels for small appliances (wear-resistant and easy to clean).
Industrial and Chemical Industries
- Corrosion-Resistant Components: Impeller guards for chemical pumps (resistant to acid and alkali corrosion), valve seals (resistant to oil).
- Tank Liners: Linings for tanks storing non-strongly oxidizing chemicals (e.g., dilute sulfuric acid tanks).
Daily Use and Consumer Goods
- Home Appliance Accessories: Washing Machine Drum Supports, Refrigerator Drawer Slides (wear-resistant and lightweight).
- Sports Equipment: Dumbbell Grips, Ski Bindings (anti-slip and impact-resistant).
Processing and Usage Precautions
Common Processing Methods
Extrusion: Produces standard-sized sheets (typically 1-200mm thick, ≤1.5m wide), suitable for mass production of general specifications.
Injection Molding: Manufactures complex, custom-shaped parts (e.g., connectors with holes or grooves), suitable for small-batch customization.
Machining: Finishing of the sheet material through processes such as turning, milling, and drilling (e.g., to produce gear blanks).
Key Processing Considerations
Drying: Thorough drying is essential. If the moisture content of undried PA6 raw material is high, this moisture will evaporate during processing, leading to surface blistering and internal voids in the finished product. (Recommended drying conditions: 80-100°C for 4-6 hours, or use a dehumidifier).
Processing Temperature: Cylinder temperature 240-280°C (rear section 240-260°C, middle section 260-270°C, front section 270-280°C), nozzle temperature 270-290°C. Temperatures that are too low can result in poor melt flow (shortage and rough surfaces), while temperatures that are too high can cause degradation (yellowing and decreased mechanical properties).
Mold Design: The recommended mold temperature is 60-90°C (to increase crystallinity and enhance rigidity), and the gate size should be sufficiently large (to avoid excessive melt flow resistance).
Shrinkage: PA6 has a linear shrinkage of approximately 0.6-1.2% (higher than HDPE's 0.2-0.8%). Allowance should be made for this when designing the mold (especially for precision-sized parts).
Usage and Maintenance Tips
Heat Resistance Limits: Long-term operating temperatures should not exceed 120°C (for standard PA6). Short-term temperatures (<1 hour) of 150°C (e.g., for briefly heated parts) are acceptable. For higher heat resistance, consider PA66 (heat resistance up to 180°C) or glass-filled PA6 (heat resistance increased to 140-160°C).
Moisture Management: When used in high humidity environments, PA6 sheets may absorb moisture, causing dimensional changes (e.g., expansion of 0.1-0.3%). Therefore, precision components require controlled humidity (recommended ≤60% RH) or pre-drying.
Chemical Protection: Avoid contact with strong oxidizing solvents (e.g., concentrated nitric acid, concentrated sulfuric acid) or prolonged immersion in aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g., toluene) to prevent material swelling or cracking.
Surface Protection: For applications in high-friction environments (e.g., guide rails), sandblast the surface or apply a lubricating coating (e.g., molybdenum disulfide grease) to further enhance wear resistance.
