Nylon electrical properties

Nylon Cloth Grade with Phenolic Resin Binder. Grade N-1 has excellent electrical properties under high humidity conditions and good impact strength, but is subject to flow or creep under load, especially at temperatures higher than normal. 

Electrical Properties. Nylon has low electrical conductivity (high electrical resistivity) and behaves like an insulator. Nylon-6 has a resistivity of 6 X lO " Hem when dry and a resistivity of 2 x lO " Hem when conditioned at 100% rh at 20°C (44) nylon-6,6 responds similarly. 

Also of interest are salts of melamine (see Chapter 24). In the nylons these can be used with bright colours (unlike red phosphorus) and do not adversely affect electrical properties. They do, however, decompose at about 320°C. Similar materials are very important in giving flame-retardant properties to polyurethane foams. 

The nylons are reasonably good electrical insulators at low temperatures and under conditions of low humidity but the insulation properties deteriorate as humidity and temperature increase. The effects of the amount of absorbed water on the volume resistivity of nylon 66 is shown in Figure 18.15. This effect is even greater with nylon 6 but markedly less with nylon 11. Some typical electrical properties of the nylons are given in Table 18.5. 

In terms of environmental exposure, water and humidity must be carefully evaluated in electrical applications. In general, if a plastic absorbs a significant amount of water, the electrical resistivity drops. As examples this is the case for nylons and phenolic. Care must be used in selecting a dielectric to insure that the electrical properties such as the insulation resistance and dielectric strength, as well as other electrical properties are adequate under the conditions of field use, particularly if this involves exposure to high humidity conditions. Temperature also causes changes in most electrical products. 

There is another type of condition that results from exposure to high humidity. The alteration in electrical properties caused by moisture absorption in nylon and phenolics is reversible. When the moisture content is decreased, the properties of the materials recover to close to the original values. In some instances the exposure to moisture and electrical fields can cause irreversible damage that can lead to failure. 

Nylon (Polyamide) PA is a crystalline plastic and the first and largest consumption of the engineering thermoplastic. This family of TPs are tough, slippery, with good electrical properties, but hygroscopic and with dimensional stability lower than most other engineering types. Also offered in reinforced and filled grades as a moderately priced metal replacement. 

As nylons absorb water, their electrical properties deteriorate. Their performance as insulators declines and they become more susceptible to energy dissipation in alternating fields. 

Nylons, 19 739, 764. See also Nylon blow molding of, 19 790-791 electrical properties of, 19 777-778 manufacture of, 19 783-787 mechanical properties of, 19 779-781 polycondensation to form, 20 390 processing of, 19 787-791 properties of, 19 773-774t semicrystalline, 19 775 time-dependent properties of, 19 781 Nylon stabilization, 14 370 Nylon staple, 19 747... 

Polyamide fibers, 19 739-772. See also Synthetic polyamides applications for, 19 765-766 chemical properties of, 19 745-747 cross-section shape of, 19 756 dyeability of, 19 758-760 early reactive dyes for, 9 468-470 electrical properties of, 19 745 manufacture of, 19 748-749 modified nylon-6 and nylon-6,6, 19 760-764... 

Nylons 6/6 and 6 comprise more than 90% of the polyamide market. The two have similar properties but nylon 6 has a lower Tm (223°C). Small amounts of nylons 6/9, 6/10, 6/12, 11, 12, 12/12, and 4/6 are produced as specialty materials. Those with more methylene groups than nylons 6/6 and 6 have better moisture resistance, dimensional stability, and electrical properties, but the degree of crystallinity, Tm, and mechanical properties are lower. Specialty nylons made from dimerized fatty acids find applications as hot-melt adhesives, crosslinking agents for epoxy resins, and thermographic inks. 

Nylon 66 has fair-to-good nonconductive electric properties, but these properties are diminished in the presence of moisture. Nylon 66 is the most widely used engineering plastic, but its principal use is as a fiber. 

Moisture has, in itself, usually not much effect on polymer properties, though the amount of moisture which can be absorbed by polymers varies within wide limits (between zero and a few %). Logically, the electric properties such as resistivity and dielectric losses are the most sensitive to water. As to mechanical properties, nylons show the strongest dependence on water absorption. PA-6 is able to take up a... 

Nylon 6/6 is the most widely used, followed by nylon 6, with similar properties except that it absorbs moisture more rapidly and its melting point is 21C (70F) lower. Also, its lower processing temperature and less crystalline structure result in lower mold shrinkage. Nylon 6/6 has the lowest permeability by gasoline and mineral oil of all the nylons. The 6/10 and 6/12 types are used where lower moisture absorption and better dimensional stability are needed. Nylons 11 and 12 have better dimensional stability and electrical properties than the others because they absorb less moisture. These more expensive types also are compounded with plasticizers to increase their flexibility and ductility. With nylon toughening and technology advancements supertough nylons became available. Their notched lzod impact values are over 10 J/m (20 ft-lb/in), and they fail in a ductile manner. 

Acetal translucent crystalline polymer is one of the stiffest TPs available. It provides excellent hardness and heat resistance, even in the presence of solvents and alkalies. Its low moisture sensitivity and good electrical properties permit direct competition with die-cast metal in a variety of applications. In addition, acetal has extremely high creep resistance and low permeability. Acetal is also available as a copolymer (Hoechst Celanese Corp. s Celcon) for improved processability. The homopolymer (DuPont s Delrin) has a very low coefficient of friction and its resistance to abrasion is second only to nylon 6/6. Acetals are frequently blended with fibers such as glass or fluorocarbon to enhance stiffness and friction properties. Acetal is not particularly weather-resistant, but grades are available with UV stabilizers for improved outdoor performance. Acetal, whether homopolymer or copolymer, is not used to any significant degree in forming structural foams. 

Nearly every polymeric system absorbs some moisture under normal atmospheric conditions from the air. This can be a difficult to detect, very small amount as for polyethylene or a few percent as measured for nylons. The sensitivity for moisture increases if a polymer is used in a composite system i.e. as a polymeric matrix with filler particles or fibres dispersed in it. Hater absorption can occur then into the interfacial regions of filler/fibre and matrix [19]. Certain polymeric systems, like coatings and cable insulation, are for longer or shorter periods immersed in water during application. After water absorption, the dielectric constant of polymers will increase due to the relative high dielectric constant of water (80). The dielectric losses will also increase while the volume resistivity decreases due to absorbed moisture. Thus, the water sensitivity of a polymer is an important product parameter in connection with the polymer s electrical properties. The mechanical properties of polymers are like the electrical properties influenced by absorption of moisture. The water sensitivity of a polymer is therefore in Chapter 7 indicated as one of the key-parameters of a polymeric system. 

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