PA6 (Polyamide 6 / Nylon 6) is one of the most widely used polyamides for mechanical and industrial components. It is particularly suited to applications that need a good balance of strength, toughness, wear resistance, low friction, and cost.

Typical PA6 applications include gears, bearings, bushes, rollers, pulleys, wear pads, guides, wheels, seals, and other machined components. It is often used as a replacement for metal because it is lighter, quieter in operation, corrosion-resistant, and can operate with less lubrication.

PA66 (Polyamide 66 / Nylon 66) is commonly used for components that require higher strength, stiffness, wear resistance, and temperature performance. Typical applications include gears, bearings, bushes, rollers, electrical connectors, automotive components, cable ties, and other mechanically loaded parts.

Compared with PA6, PA66 is generally stiffer, stronger, and more resistant to heat, making it better suited to components that need to maintain their shape and mechanical performance under higher loads or temperatures. However, PA66 can be less impact-tough than PA6, and both materials absorb moisture, which can affect dimensional stability.

PA46 (Polyamide 46 / Nylon 46) is a high-temperature polyamide designed for applications where standard nylons such as PA6 and PA66 may struggle. It offers higher heat resistance, excellent stiffness at elevated temperatures, good wear resistance, and strong fatigue performance.

PA46 is commonly used for automotive under-bonnet components, electrical connectors, gears, bearings, sensor housings, coil components, and other high-temperature mechanical or electrical parts.

PA12 (Polyamide 12 / Nylon 12) is a polyamide known for its low moisture absorption, flexibility, chemical resistance, impact resistance, and excellent dimensional stability. It is particularly useful where standard nylons such as PA6 or PA66 may experience excessive dimensional changes from moisture. In comparison, PA12 has very low water absorption.

PA12 is commonly used for fuel and pneumatic lines, tubing, automotive components, cable protection, connectors, gears, bushes, medical components, and precision parts. It is also widely used in 3D printing, particularly selective laser sintering (SLS).