Nylon chemicals, resistance

Nylon 6 and 6/6 possess the maximum stiffness, strength, and heat resistance of all the types of nylon. Type 6/6 has a higher melt temperature, whereas type 6 has a higher impact resistance and better processibility. At a sacrifice in stiffness and heat resistance, the higher analogs of nylon are useful primarily for improved chemical resistance in certain environments (acids, bases, and zinc chloride solutions) and for lower moisture absorption. 

Nylon-12,12. Nylon-12,12 [36497-34-4] [36348-71-7] was introduced into the marketplace by Du Pont in the late 1980s (174). This polymer possesses very low moisture absorption, high dimensional stabihty, and excellent chemical resistance, with a moderately high melt point (T = 185° C)... 

Nylon-4,6 [24936-71-8] introduced as Stanyl by Dutch State Mines, is synthesized from 1,4-tetramethylenediarnine and adipic acid (202). Stanyl has a high melting temperature (295°C), improved chemical resistance, better dimensional stabiUty, and higher modulus than nylon-6 and nylon-6,6 it is therefore highly suited for industrial yam appHcations, including tire cord. 

Nylon. Nylons comprise a large family of polyamides with a variety of chemical compositions (234,286,287). They have excellent mechanical properties, as well as abrasion and chemical resistance. However, because of the need for improved performance, many commercial nylon resins are modified by additives so as to improve toughness, heat fabrication, stabiUty, flame retardancy, and other properties. 

Transportation end uses are expected to become a significant outlet. Products under development include an engine valve cover, as are various housings such as those for od pumps, water pumps, starter motors, and certain transmission parts. These end uses employ PPS because it resists high temperatures and is also chemically resistant. Fuel system parts can employ the excellent chemical resistance of PPS, replacing nylon, if alcohol-based fuels are adopted to reduce emissions. 

Copolymers of chlorotrifluoroethylene and ethylene were introduced by Allied Chemicals under the trade name Halar in the early 1970s. This is essentially a 1 1 alternating copolymer compounded with stabilising additives. The polymer has mechanical properties more like those of nylon than of typical fluoroplastic, with low creep and very good impact strength. Furthermore the polymers have very good chemical resistance and electrical insulation properties and are resistant to burning. They may be injection moulded or formed into fibres. 

Nylon 11 is also used in powder form in spraying and fluidised bed dipping to produce chemical-resistant coatings. Although more expensive than the polyolefin and PVC powders, it is of interest because of its hardness, abrasion resistance and petrol resistance. 

As regards the general behaviour of polymers, it is widely recognised that crystalline plastics offer better environmental resistance than amorphous plastics. This is as a direct result of the different structural morphology of these two classes of material (see Appendix A). Therefore engineering plastics which are also crystalline e.g. Nylon 66 are at an immediate advantage because they can offer an attractive combination of load-bearing capability and an inherent chemical resistance. In this respect the arrival of crystalline plastics such as PEEK and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) has set new standards in environmental resistance, albeit at a price. At room temperature there is no known solvent for PPS, and PEEK is only attacked by 98% sulphuric acid. 

Sometimes, part design requires multiple polymer layers. For example, an automotive gasoline tank can consist of both nylon and crosslinked polyethylene to provide combined chemical [-, resistance and strength, To produce multilayered parts, the first polymer, which will form... 

Nylon-4,6 was developed by DSM Engineering Plastics in 1990 and sold under the trade name Stanyl giving a nylon that has a higher heat and chemical resistance for the automotive industry and in electrical applications. It has a of 295°C and can be made more crystalline than nylon-6,6. A number of other nylons, such as the aromatic nylons and aramids, are strong and can operate at high temperatures, and they have good flame-resistant properties. 

Nylon-12,12. Nylon-12,12 [36497-34-4], [36348-71-7] was introduced into the marketplace by Du Pont in the late 1980s (174). This polymer possesses very low moisture absorption, high dimensional stability, and excellent chemical resistance, with a moderately high melt point (Tm = 185° C) (175). Its manufacture begins with the formation of dodecanedioic acid produced from the trimerization of butadiene in a process identical to that used in the manufacture of nylon-6,12. The other starting material, 1,12-dodecanediamine, is prepared in a two-step process that first converts the dodecanedioic acid to a diamide, and then continues to dehydrate the diamide to the dinitrile. In the second step, the dinitrile is then hydrogenated to the diamine with hydrogen in the presence of a suitable catalyst. 

Avoid breathing cyclohexane, hexane, adipoyl chloride, or sebacoyl chloride vapors. Work carefully to avoid skin contact with any of the liquid reagents wear chemically resistant rubber gloves. Do not ingest reagents. Avoid eye contact wear chemical safety goggles. Cyclohexane, hexane, acetone, and alcohol are flammable keep away from heat and open flames. Follow precautions on the containers. The nylon rope should not be handled with bare hands until after it has been washed thoroughly with alcohol and dried. 

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