Depending on the application, nylon MDS or Nylatron® may be an ideal material. Learn more about their chemical, physical, and mechanical properties, as well as their common applications, to decide which material is best for your project.
Chemical and Physical Properties
Nylatron® is a type of nylon filled with molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), which is a synthetic lubricant compound that improves the nylon’s ability to handle loads and resist wear without compromising its strength.
Nylon MDS is an extruded nylon 6/6 material containing molybdenum disulfide. The MDS particles enhance wear resistance and surface lubrication.
Both of these materials are forms of nylon enhanced with MoS2 to improve their wear properties and longevity. Unlike nylon MDS, Nylatron® comes in multiple grades designed with added properties, including load bearing, self-lubrication, and wear resistance characteristics.
Mechanical Properties
Nylon MDS and Nylatron® both offer certain improved mechanical properties compared to traditional nylon. Their MoS2 content improves their wear resistance, surface lubricity, and durability.In particular, Nylatron® offers:
- Superior fatigue resistance
- High mechanical toughness, strength, hardness, and stiffness
- High resistance to wear
- The highest level of wear resistance of all thermoplastic materials (Nylatron® NSM)
Nylatron® and nylon MDS both benefit from increased durability and strength, but the multiple grades available with Nylatron® make it better for more specialized applications. However, in general, nylon MDS offers high flexural and tensile strength comparable to that of Nylatron®. Both materials have similar characteristics that make them good choices for load-bearing and/or friction applications.
Applications and Uses
Some popular uses for Nylatron® include the following:
- Bearings, gears, sheaves, and sprockets: Nylatron® GMS PA6, a Type 6 nylon, is a grade of Nylatron® typically used in these high-wear applications thanks to the material’s rigidity and strength.
- Industrial wear pads and bearings: These applications often use the Nylatron® grade called Nylatron® LIG PA6, which features internal lubrication for increased toughness and strength.
- Heavy load lifting: Larger-sized gears, bearings, and other heavy load-lifting components commonly use Nylatron® NSM.
- Food contact parts: Food processing applications require materials that are safe to come into contact with food or beverages. Nylatron® MC 907 PA6 is ideal for these applications, as this Nylatron® grade is 3A-Dairy compliant and FDA- and USDA-approved.
Some common applications for nylon MDS include:
- Applications requiring high lubricity: If an application needs superior surface lubricity, it may use nylon MDS.
- Nonmetallic washers in industrial equipment: Nylon MDS washers are an ideal alternative to metallic washers in industrial machinery components, which need optimized impact resistance and load-bearing capacity.
Suitability for Different Industries
Nylatron® and nylon MDS offer collective benefits for diverse applications, such as:
- Aerospace, appliances, automotive, plumbing, marine, and other industries: Many applications across these critical industries rely on MDS-filled nylon and Nylatron® because of these materials’ wear resistance, strength, and versatility.
- Food processing: Applications requiring materials that are safe to come into contact with food often use compliant grades of Nylatron®.
- Industrial applications: Nylatron®’s improved wear resistance, surface lubricity, and mechanical properties make it a dependable replacement for metal in many applications with heavy or large loads.
Contact the Experts at New Process Fibre
Nylatron® and nylon MDS both offer advantages that applications may need compared to traditional unfilled nylon. For more versatility, you could use different grades of Nylatron®, while other applications may use MDS-filled nylon for its increased wear resistance and durability. New Process Fibre is a leading custom fabrication provider for nonmetallic materials, including nylon 6/6, Nylatron®, nylon MDS, and more. We can help you determine the right material and product for your project. To get started, contact us today.