Nylon mold shrinkage

Amorphous nylons are transparent. Heat-deflection temperatures are lower than those of filled crystalline nylon resins, and melt flow is stiffer hence, they are more difficult to process. Mold shrinkage is lower and they absorb less water. Warpage is reduced and dimensional stabiUty less of a problem than with crystalline products. Chemical and hydrolytic stabiUty are excellent. Amorphous nylons can be made by using monomer combinations that result in highly asymmetric stmctures which crystalline with difficulty or by adding crystallization inhibitors to crystalline resins such as nylon-6 (61). 

Nucleants. Although nylons crystallize quickly, it is often an advantage, particularly for small parts, to accelerate this process to reduce cycle time and increase productivity. Nylon-6, which crystallizes more slowly than nylon-6,6, also benefits from nudeation in unreinforced formulations. Nucleants are generally fine-particle-size solids or materials that crystallize as fine particles before the nylon. The materials, eg, finely dispersed silicas or talc, seed the molten nylon and result in a higher density of small uniformly sized spherulites in nylon-6 the crystalline form is also changed. Nudeation increases tensile strength and stiffness but makes the material more britde. Mold shrinkage is lower for nudeated resins. 

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. 

Polyamide 6/12 (Nylon 6/12, PA 6/12) Another low-moisture-absorbing nylon. Due to its chemistry, it also undergoes less dimensional change when moisture is absorbed. It has lower mold shrinkage than PA 6, PA 6/6, or PA 6/10, and better heat resistance than PA 6/10. It has a higher cost relative to other nylons. It is often used as a coating material. 

In engineering applications we routinely incorporate inorganic fillers, such as glass fibers and mineral particles, into nylons. In general, fillers perform three functions they reduce the cost of the product, they increase its stiffness, and they reduce shrinkage and warpage in molded products. 

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