Washers protect surfaces that sit flush with each other from surface damage, friction, and uneven pressure from tight fasteners. Nylon washers are particularly popular because of the material’s positive characteristics that help absorb and minimize damage.
At New Process Fibre, we use Nylatron®, a specialty nylon material originally formulated by Polypenco, to create industrial-strength, high-performance washers. Nylatron® is a gray nylon material made from nylon 6 and molybdenum disulfide powder, which lubricates the nylon and increases overall wear resistance. Learn more about the benefits of Nylatron® washers, applications they’re commonly used in, and how New Process Fibre can produce your order.
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Key Benefits of Nylatron® Washers
Nylatron® washers are durable, protective solutions that outperform nylon spacer washers made from unified nylon or other materials. Because the material is easy to work with and has excellent formability characteristics, manufacturers can create washers and other products with intricate geometries. This reduces overall protection times and costs.
End-users also benefit from the unique properties of Nylatron®. Some of the key features of Nylatron® washers include:
- Self-Lubrication: The material is combined with molybdenum disulfide powder, which reduces friction throughout the life of the product. There is less wear and breakage, and, as a result, the washers last longer without affecting long-term machinery performance.
- Wear resistance: Because of its self-lubricating properties and durable composition, Nylatron® washers are more wear-resistant than other thermoplastic wasters.
- Light weight: Nylatron® is lighter than comparable metals and thermoplastics, which reduces fatigue and weight for the overall assembly.
- Corrosion resistance: Nylatron® is corrosion-resistant and won’t chemically degrade.
- Long lifespan: Nylatron® washers are built to last and can perform for ten times longer than nylon 6 washers before needing replacement.
- Noise reduction: Nylatron® washers can reduce vibrations between mating surfaces to mitigate both noise and wear.
All of these characteristics make Nylatron® a popular material for manufacturers, washer supply companies, and end-users.
Common Applications of Nylatron® Washers
Nylatron® washers are commonly used throughout a wide variety of industrial and commercial applications because of their durability, performance, and low maintenance requirements. Three of the key areas Nylatron® flat washers are used in include electrically sensitive applications, wet applications, and high-stress applications.
Electrically Sensitive Applications and Wet Applications:
Metal washers can interfere with electrical and electronic performance in some applications. Nylatron® operates as an excellent replacement, especially because it’s only 1/7th the weight of bronze. Nylatron® is also corrosion-resistant, making it a popular alternative to metals in applications that transport or process water and consumable goods. Some of the most common applications of Nylatron® washers in this category include:
- Consumer appliances
- Food processing equipment and machinery
- General electronics
- Plumbing systems
High-Stress Applications
Nylatron® washers are also popular for heavy-duty industrial applications that need to bear a lot of weight and repetitive stress. Some of the most common industrial applications for Nylatron® washers are:
- Bearings
- Caster wheels’ washers — Nylatron® washers can replace forged steel and cast iron components
- Rotary level actuators in standard and non-standard geometries
- Wear pads in machinery
Nylatron® Washers From New Process Fibre
New Process Fibre has been a leading provider of high-quality commercial and industrial components for nearly 100 years. Today, we provide in-house thermoplastic extrusions, in-house tooling, and more. Our facility can produce small and large volume runs, prototypes, and more from a diverse array of thermoplastic materials. Turn to New Process Fibre for custom washer design, development, and production, or fast production of standard washers and thermoplastic parts. We work with Nylon 6, Nylon MDS, Nylon 6/6, Nylatron®, and more. Contact us today to learn more about our design and production capabilities or request a quote to start your order.
