---
title: What is the difference between nylons? Pt. 2
description: Nylons are semi-crystalline resins with a very low viscosity at melting point, excellent chemical resistance, good temperature resistance, and good toughness (moisture).
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---
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# Blog
# What is the difference between nylons? Pt. 2
By [Ron Pleasant](https://inbound.teamppi.com/blog/author/ron-pleasant) on Jan 28, 2016 11:43:13 AM
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**We recently wrote about the [differences between Nylon 6](https://inbound.teamppi.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-nylons) and Nylon 6,6. Now we want to discuss the differences between Nylon 4,6, Nylon 11, and Nylon 12 and differentiating them from Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6.**
As we discussed in the previous blog in this nylon series, nylons are semi-crystalline resins with a very low viscosity at melting point, excellent chemical resistance, good temperature resistance, and good toughness (moisture). There are 8 types of nylons: Nylon 6; Nylon 6,6; Nylon 4,6; Nylon 6,9; Nylon 6,10; Nylon 6,12; Nylon 11; and Nylon 12.
**Nylon 4,6**
Nylon 4,6 has a higher melting point, faster crystallinity, quicker cycles, and a higher impact; but it also has higher moisture absorption, is a higher price, and higher specific gravity.
The chemical structure based on properties compared to Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6 is shown in this table below.
| | **Nylon 6** | **Nylon 6,6** | **Nylon 4,6** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Melting Point C** | 220 | 260 | 295 |
| **Sp Gravity** | 1.14 | 1.14 | 1.18 |
| **Crystallization Rate@ 200 C@ 230 C** | 0.2 0.0 | 6.0 0.7 | >15 10.0 |
| **Moisture Abs@ Equil (%)** | 2.8 | 2.5 | 3.8 |
The thermal properties of unreinforced polyamides compared to Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6 are shown below in the table.
| | **Nylon 6** | **Nylon 6,6** | **Nylon 4,6** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Crystalline Melting Point C** | 225 | 260 | 295 |
| **Heat Deflect Temp. C** | 65 | 75 | 160 |
| **Relative Thermal Index C electrical** | 130 | 130 | 150 |
| **Mechanical without impact** | 85 | 85 | 130 |
| **Mechanical with impact** | 70 | 75 | 115 |
| | **Nylon 6** | **Nylon 6,6** | **Nylon 4,6** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Strength/Stiff** | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| **Tough/Ductility** | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| **Aesthetics** | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| **Processability** | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| **Cycle Time** | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| **Material Cost** | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| | **1=BEST** | **2=Better** | **3=Good** |
**Nylon 11 & Nylon 12**
Both Nylon 11 and Nylon 12 are linear, semi-crystalline thermoplastics which could be intermediate in properties between Nylon 6 and polyethylene. Nylon 11 is derived from castor oils and Nylon 12 comes from butadiene. Nylon 12 has a slightly lower melting point and density and Nylon 12 performs better at high temperatures and has superior UV resistance.
**Nylon 11 and Nylon 12 vs. Nylon 6,6**
Their advantages include low moisture absorption (.25% vs. 2.5%) and excellent flexibility: where Nylon 6,6 would be too rigid, they would sometimes be used in wire and cable applications instead. However, they have a low HDT of 300 F, low tensile at 8,000 psi, low dielectric strength, and are a higher cost.
**PA 6,9; PA 6,10; PA 6,12; PA 11; PA 12**
Advantages:
- Good elongation
- Lower moisture absorption
- Good electrical
- Lower specific gravity
Disadvantages
- Lower physical and mechanical properties
- High cost
In comparison:
| | **6,6** | **6** | **6,9** | **6,10** | **6,12** | **11** | **12** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **HDT** | 374 | 365 | 340 | 330 | 330 | 300 | 300 |
| **Tensile** | 12,000 | 12,000 | 8,500 | lower 6,6 | 8,800 | 8,000 | 8,000 |
| **Moisture Absorption** | 2.5% | 2.8% | | 1.5% | 1.5% | 0.25% | 0.25% |
| **Elongation** | 25% | 25% | | | Good | 200% | 250% |
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Topics: [Mold Components](https://inbound.teamppi.com/blog/topic/mold-components)
### Author: [Ron Pleasant](https://inbound.teamppi.com/blog/author/ron-pleasant)
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