Detailed chemical resistance guide for nylon (PA6/PA66/PA12) — acids, alkalis, solvents, fuels, oils, and environmental factors affecting performance.
Why Chemical Resistance Matters for Nylon
Nylon components frequently operate in chemically challenging environments: chemical processing plants, automotive fluid systems, food processing equipment, and laboratory apparatus all demand materials that resist degradation from repeated chemical exposure. Unlike metals, which fail visibly through corrosion, chemical attack in plastics is often invisible until catastrophic failure occurs.
Understanding nylon’s chemical resistance profile prevents costly field failures. A fuel rail that cracks after 6 months in service due to incompatible material selection is an expensive lesson. This guide provides the resistance data needed to specify the right nylon grade for specific chemical environments.
Resistance to Acids
Nylon’s resistance to acids varies significantly based on acid type, concentration, and temperature:
**Strong Mineral Acids (Poor Resistance)**:
– **Sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄)**: Severely attacks nylon. Concentrations above 10% cause rapid hydrolysis. 50% sulfuric acid dissolves nylon within hours at room temperature. **Not recommended**.
– **Hydrochloric acid (HCl)**: Similar to sulfuric — progressive degradation. Strength loss of 30-50% after 30-day exposure to 10% HCl at 23°C. **Not recommended** for continuous exposure.
– **Nitric acid (HNO₃)**: Oxidative degradation causes rapid strength loss. **Not recommended**.
**Weak Acids (Conditional — Verify)**:
– **Acetic acid**: 5% solution causes minor surface attack. 60% acetic acid (glacial) causes significant swelling. Test specific concentrations.
– **Phosphoric acid**: Good resistance to dilute solutions (<10%). Higher concentrations cause surface softening.
- **Citric acid**: Good resistance in food-contact concentrations. PA66 approved for food processing equipment.
- **Formic acid**: Attacks nylon — dissolves or severely weakens at concentrations above 10%.
**Organic Acids**:
– Oleic acid, stearic acid: Good resistance. Nylon is widely used in fatty acid processing.
– Lactic acid: Good resistance. PA66 suitable for dairy processing components.
**Design Implication**: For acid-exposed applications, consider PVDF (Kynar), PTFE, or PP instead of nylon. If nylon must be used, limit temperature and concentration, and conduct immersion testing before production.
Resistance to Alkalis and Bases
Nylon has generally good resistance to alkalis, with some important exceptions:
**Strong Alkalis**:
– **Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)**: Good resistance to dilute solutions (<10%) at room temperature. At elevated temperature (80°C+), hydrolysis occurs. For strong caustic service, PA12 performs better than PA6 or PA66.
- **Potassium hydroxide (KOH)**: Similar behavior to NaOH. Good at room temperature, degradation at elevated temperature.
- **Ammonia (NH₃)**: Good resistance to dilute ammonia solutions. Liquid ammonia causes stress cracking — avoid.
**Carbonate solutions** (sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate): Excellent resistance at all concentrations and temperatures. Nylon is suitable for carbonate-based cleaning equipment.
**Key Issue: Calcium Chloride** — Despite good general alkali resistance, nylon is susceptible to stress cracking in calcium chloride solutions. Calcium chloride (common desiccant) can cause cracking even at low concentrations. Do not use nylon desiccant containers or seals in contact with CaCl₂.
Solvent Resistance
**Halogenated Hydrocarbons**:
– **Methylene chloride**: Dissolves nylon rapidly. Not compatible.
– **Chloroform**: Rapidly attacks nylon. Not compatible.
– **Trichloroethylene (TCE)**: Severe attack at room temperature.
**Aromatic Hydrocarbons**:
– **Benzene**: Causes swelling at room temperature. Not recommended.
– **Toluene**: Moderate swelling. Limited use only.
– **Xylene**: Similar to toluene — limited compatibility.
**Aliphatic Hydrocarbons** (hexane, heptane, mineral spirits): **Excellent resistance**. Nylon is widely used in fuel system and oil processing components. No significant attack even at elevated temperature.
**Alcohols**:
– **Methanol, ethanol, isopropanol**: Excellent resistance. Nylon approved for beverage and pharmaceutical processing.
– **Glycols** (ethylene glycol, propylene glycol): Excellent resistance. PA66 widely used in coolant systems and antifreeze applications.
**Ketones and Esters**:
– **Acetone**: Moderate attack — causes swelling and surface softening. Not recommended for prolonged contact.
– **MEK (methyl ethyl ketone)**: Similar to acetone — moderate swelling.
– **Ethyl acetate**: Moderate attack. Test for specific application.
– **Phthalate plasticizers** (DOP, DEHP): Causes plasticizer migration into nylon — use PA12 for plasticizer contact applications.
Fuel, Oil, and Automotive Fluid Resistance
Automotive and industrial fluid resistance is a major application area for nylon:
**Automotive Fuels**:
| Fuel Type | Nylon PA12 | Nylon PA66 | POM |
|—|—|—|—|
| Gasoline (unleaded) | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Gasoline + 15% Ethanol (E15) | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Gasoline + 85% Ethanol (E85) | Excellent | Fair | Poor |
| Diesel | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Biodiesel (B20) | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Jet Fuel (JP-8) | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
**PA12 is the material of choice for fuel lines** due to its superior fuel resistance, low moisture absorption, and flexibility. PA66-GF30 is used in rigid fuel system components.
**Engine Oils and Lubricants**:
All standard nylon grades show excellent resistance to engine oils, gear oils, and transmission fluids at operating temperatures. PA66-GF30 is widely used in oil filter housings and engine covers.
**Brake Fluids**:
| Fluid | Nylon PA66 | Nylon PA12 | POM |
|—|—|—|—|
| DOT 3 (glycol-based) | Good | Excellent | Swells/cracks |
| DOT 4 (glycol-based) | Good | Excellent | Swells/cracks |
| DOT 5.1 (glycol-based) | Good | Excellent | Swells/cracks |
| DOT 5 (silicone-based) | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
**Critical**: POM and acetate-based brake fluids (DOT 3/4/5.1) are incompatible. PA66 or PA12 is mandatory for brake system components.
Environmental and Special Considerations
**UV/Weathering**:
Unfilled nylon degrades rapidly under UV exposure — surface chalking, embrittlement, and strength loss within 6-12 months of outdoor exposure. Solutions:
– Carbon black stabilization (2-3% carbon black provides excellent UV protection)
– UV-stabilized grades with hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS)
– Painting or coating for cosmetic surfaces
**Gamma Radiation Sterilization**:
Medical nylon components undergoing gamma sterilization require radiation-resistant grades. Standard PA66 loses 30-40% tensile strength after standard gamma dose (25-50 kGy). Special radiation-stabilized grades maintain >80% retained strength.
**Food Contact**:
Both PA6 and PA66 have FDA food contact approvals for specific grades:
– PA6: FDA 21 CFR §177.1500 (nylon 6 resin)
– PA66: FDA 21 CFR §177.1500 (nylon 66 resin)
EU Regulation 10/2011 compliance available for KSAN and similar brands.
**Water Absorption Effects on Chemical Resistance**:
Conditioned nylon (humidity-saturated) shows different chemical resistance than dry material. In some cases, water acts as a plasticizer, allowing chemical penetration that would not occur in dry material. Always test in the actual conditioned state.
Whether you need technical guidance on selecting the right nylon grade for your specific application, or want to discuss pricing and supply options for PA6-CF, PA66-GF, or standard nylon materials, our engineering team is ready to help. Nylonplastic.com supplies industrial-grade nylon materials to manufacturers in North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia.
Get a Free Material Consultation →
Contact our technical team for nylon grade recommendations, pricing for bulk orders, or samples for testing. We supply PA6-CF carbon fiber reinforced nylon in 1.75mm and 2.85mm diameters, plus full range of PA6, PA66, PA12, and GF-reinforced grades.
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**FAQs**
**Q: What is the difference between PA6 and PA66?**
A: PA66 (nylon 66) has a higher melting point (265°C vs. 225°C) and better chemical resistance than PA6. PA6 offers better impact resistance and is more cost-effective. PA66 is preferred for high-temperature and under-hood automotive applications; PA6 is common for general engineering.
**Q: How much does glass fiber reinforcement improve nylon?**
A: Adding 30% glass fiber increases tensile strength by 100-120% (from ~80 MPa to ~170 MPa) and flexural modulus by 250-300% (from ~2.8 GPa to ~9 GPa). However, it also reduces impact resistance and increases warpage.
**Q: What is carbon fiber reinforced nylon used for?**
A: Carbon fiber reinforced nylon is used for structural components requiring high stiffness-to-weight ratio, ESD-sensitive applications (electronics packaging, fuel systems), and precision parts requiring dimensional stability. nylonplastic.com supplies PA6-CF for FDM 3D printing and injection molding applications.
**Q: How do I prevent moisture absorption problems in nylon parts?**
A: Dry nylon resin to below 0.2% moisture content before molding (4-6 hours at 80-85°C in desiccant dryer). For dimensional-critical parts, anneal after molding (1-2 hours at 120-130°C) to stabilize crystallinity. Use glass or carbon fiber reinforcement to reduce moisture-induced dimensional change by 70-80%.
**Q: Can nylon be used for food contact applications?**
A: Yes. Both PA6 and PA66 have FDA 21 CFR §177.1500 compliance for food contact. EU Regulation 10/2011 compliance requires specific compound selection with documented SML testing. Always verify specific grade compliance with your supplier.
