Since 1927, New Process Fibre has been a leading provider of high-quality commercial and industrial components. Our versatile facility allows for prototyping and small- and large-volume production runs of products made with a diverse array of thermoplastics, including Nylon 6, Nylon 6/6, Nylon MDS, and Nylatron® material.
What Is Nylatron®?
Nylatron® is the name given to a group of nylon plastics usually filled with molybdenum disulfide lubricant powder. Different types of Nylatron® material offer different strengths and characteristics to meet the needs of a variety of applications, which include the following:
- Washers
- Bearings
- Rollers, Wheels, and Wear Components
- Wear Pads
- Gears
- Nozzles
- Actuators
- And more
Properties of Nylatron®
In general, Nylatron® material is highly machinable and prized for these properties:
- Mechanical strength
- Good stiffness, hardness, and toughness
- Good machinability
- High mechanical damping ability
- Fatigue and wear resistance
- Good sliding properties
- Effective electrical insulating characteristics
- Resistance to high energy radiation (gamma- and X-rays)
Certain types of Nylatron® have been specifically engineered to provide enhanced load-bearing capabilities, rigidity, and other characteristics to meet the demands of specific applications.
Types of Nylatron®
There are numerous types of Nylatron® material, and the one you choose will depend largely on the desired characteristics of your finished product and the demands of its application. These are three of the most popular:
- Nylatron® GS: Enhances strength and rigidity. Its lower thermal expansion ensures better fit, reduced seizing in bearings, and improved clearances compared to Nylon 101.
- Nylatron® GSM: Maintains the impact resistance you’d expect from Nylon 6, but it has increased load-bearing capabilities.
- Nylatron® NSM: Made for the most demanding high-velocity applications, Nylatron® NSM is used for large components like gears, bearings, and wear pads. With superior wear resistance and self-lubricating additives, it offers a lifespan of up to 10 times longer than standard Type 6 Nylon.
Nylatron® GS and Nylatron® GSM: Differences and Similarities
These two common Nylatron® materials have many of the same applications and offer similar benefits. Take note of the primary differences:
Nylatron® GS
Nylatron® GS is filled with molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and engineered to be stiffer, harder, and more dimensionally stable. As a result, it loses some of its impact resistance. With a coefficient of linear thermal expansion lower than Nylon 101, components made of Nylatron® GS maintain a better fit and are less likely to seize. With a tensile strength of 12,500 psi and compressive strength of 16,000 psi, Nylatron® GS is commonly used for pulleys, gears, bearings, sheaves, valve seals, and more. It has a temperature range of -20°C to +95°C (-20°C to +70°C in water).
Nylatron® GSM
This gray-black material includes finely divided MoS2 particles for enhanced load-bearing capabilities. Like nylon, it has excellent impact resistance and is known for its toughness and abrasion resistance. With a compressive strength of 14,000 psi, Nylatron® GSM is a popular choice for bearings, cams, forming dies, insulators, rollers, wear plates, wheels, and more. It has a temperature range of -30°C to +105°C (-30°C to +70°C in water).
At New Process Fibre, we provide Nylatron® GS in rods and sheets, cut according to your requirements. Download our datasheet to learn more.
Alternatives to Nylatron®
We highly recommend Nylon MDS as the best alternative to Nylatron®. On a molecular level, these materials are the same, giving you the same high-level performance without the high-level price tag associated with the brand name. Nylon MDS is also more readily available than Nylatron®, allowing for a quicker turnaround to save you time and money.
New Process Fibre offers both Nylatron® and Nylon MDS, and we will work with you to decide which one is best for your application based on your budget, preferences, and component requirements.
Nylon MDS and More From New Process Fibre
New Process Fibre provides custom fabrication services using a wide range of materials, and our knowledgeable team will help you determine which material is best for your needs. We offer in-house thermoplastic extrusions, in-house tooling, custom washer design, and so much more. Take a closer look at our catalog to learn more about what we can do for you, then contact us to get started on your project using Nylon MDS, Nylatron® material, or another thermoplastic.