Ready Plastics

Monomer-Cast Polyamide 6 (PA6)

PA 6 - Cast Nylon Sheet

PA 6 nylon provides high mechanical strength, wear resistance, and thermal stability for precision components used in automotive, industrial, and mechanical applications.

  • High Mechanical Strength and Rigidity
  • Superior Wear Resistance
  • Excellent Machinability
  • Low Friction Properties
38 SKUs · IN STOCK
PA 6 - Cast Nylon Sheet
38 PA 6 - Cast Nylon SKUs in stock · Same-day shipping on stocked sizes

Sheets

19 sizes · 45 SKUs
Short DescriptionColorThicknessWidthLengthStockPriceAction
Cast Nylon - 0.250" 48 x 120 Grey Plate
Grey
0.250″48″120″
19
$417.81
Cast Nylon - 0.250" 48 x 120 Natural Plate
Nat.
0.250″48″120″
38
$417.81
Cast Nylon - 0.312" 24 x 48 Natural Plate
Nat.
0.312″24″48″
60
$104.19
Cast Nylon - 0.375" 48 x 120 Black Plate
Blk.
0.375″48″120″
30
$626.70
Cast Nylon - 0.375" 48 x 120 Grey Plate
Grey
0.375″48″120″
0
$626.70
Cast Nylon - 0.375" 48 x 120 Natural Plate
Nat.
0.375″48″120″
39
$626.70
Cast Nylon - 0.500" 48 x 120 Black Plate
Blk.
0.500″48″120″
10
$816.46
Cast Nylon - 0.500" 48 x 120 Blue Plate
Blue
0.500″48″120″
0
$817.05
Cast Nylon - 0.500" 48 x 120 Grey Plate
Grey
0.500″48″120″
38
$817.05
Cast Nylon - 0.500" 48 x 120 Natural Plate
Nat.
0.500″48″120″
46
$817.05

Material Overview

What is Cast Nylon 6?

Cast Nylon 6 is a monomer-cast polyamide 6 (PA6) engineering thermoplastic produced by polymerizing caprolactam directly in a mold. This casting process yields higher crystallinity than extruded nylon material, translating into a denser, harder, and more wear-resistant part suitable for heavy-duty mechanical components. Ready Plastics stocks this grade in sheet and rod for precision machining into gears, bushings, wear blocks, rollers, and structural parts.

Key mechanical properties: 12,300 psi tensile strength, 15,000 psi compressive stress at 10% strain, Rockwell R118 hardness, and a tensile modulus of 508,000 psi. Maximum short-term service temperature reaches 340°F (170°C), with a heat deflection temperature of 355°F (175°C) at 264 psi. The material operates continuously down to −30°F (−34°C), covering a broad industrial service range. Density is 0.042 lb/in³ — significantly lighter than aluminum or steel.

Thermal and electrical properties. Thermal conductivity is 2.0 Btu·in/ft²·h·°F (0.28 W/m·K), and the coefficient of thermal expansion averages 44 µin/in/°F over the 73–140°F range. Dielectric strength is 635 V/mil with volume resistivity above 10¹⁴ Ω·cm, making this grade appropriate for light electrical insulation applications. Water absorption at saturation in water is 6.5%, so parts requiring tight tolerances in wet environments may benefit from moisture conditioning before final machining.

Related grades. Cast Nylon 6 is part of the cast nylon family at Ready Plastics. For extruded polyamide options with tighter stock dimensions, see the broader nylon material line-card, which includes extruded PA6, PA66, and other modified grades.

Technical Specifications

Cast Nylon 6 properties

Typical values at 23°C / 50% RH. Values are nominal and not guaranteed; refer to lot-specific certificates of conformance for production parts.

General
PropertyTest MethodUnitValue
DensityD792lb/in³0.042
Water absorption (24 / 96 h immersion @ 73°F)ASTM D570mg / %44/83 / 0.65/1.22
Water absorption (Saturation in air @ 73°F, 50% RH)ASTM D570%2.2
Water absorption (Saturation in water @ 73°F)ASTM D570%6.5
Flammability rating (UL 94, 3 / 6 mm thickness)UL 94HB/HB
General
PropertyTest MethodUnitValue
Tensile strength (At yield / break)ASTM D638psi12,300
Tensile strain at breakASTM D638%25
Tensile modulusASTM D638psi508,000
Compressive stress (At 10% nominal strain)ASTM D695psi15,000
Izod impact (notched)ASTM D256ft·lb/in0.6
Rockwell hardnessASTM D785R118
General
PropertyTest MethodUnitValue
Melting temperatureASTM D2133°F430
Thermal conductivity (@ 73°F)ASTM C177Btu·in/ft²·h·°F2.0
Coefficient of thermal expansion (Avg. 73 – 140°F)ASTM D696μin/in/°F44
Coefficient of thermal expansion (Avg. 73 – 212°F)ASTM D696μin/in/°F50
Heat deflection temperature (264 psi (Method A))ASTM D648°F355
Max service temperature (Short-term)°F340
Max service temperature (Continuous (5,000 / 20,000 h))°F220/195
Min service temperature°F-30
General
PropertyTest MethodUnitValue
Dielectric strengthASTM D149V/mil635
Volume resistivityASTM D257Ω·cm>10¹⁴
Surface resistivityASTM D257Ω>10¹³

Frequently Asked Questions

Cast Nylon 6, answered

What is Cast Nylon 6 (PA6)?

Cast Nylon 6 is a monomer-cast polyamide 6 engineering plastic produced by polymerizing caprolactam in a mold rather than extruding it from pellets. The casting process creates higher crystallinity and improved mechanical performance — 12,300 psi tensile strength, 15,000 psi compressive stress, and Rockwell R118 hardness — making it ideal for gears, bushings, wear pads, and load-bearing components.

How does Cast Nylon 6 differ from extruded PA6?

Cast Nylon 6 is polymerized directly in a mold, producing higher crystallinity, greater load-bearing strength, and better wear resistance than extruded PA6. Extruded PA6 offers tighter dimensional tolerances in thin sections and is available in more modified grades, but cast nylon excels where section size, hardness, and compressive load are the primary concerns.

What is the maximum service temperature of Cast Nylon 6?

Cast Nylon 6 has a maximum short-term service temperature of 340°F (170°C) and a heat deflection temperature of 355°F (175°C) at 264 psi. Continuous use ratings are 220°F (100°C) for 5,000 hours and 195°F (90°C) for 20,000 hours.

What shapes and sizes does Ready Plastics stock in Cast Nylon 6?

Ready Plastics stocks Cast Nylon 6 in sheet and rod. Contact Ready Plastics for current thickness, width, and diameter availability, or request a custom cut-to-size quote. A full datasheet is available for download from the product page.

Can Cast Nylon 6 be machined?

Yes. Cast Nylon 6 machines cleanly on conventional equipment — it drills, mills, turns, and saws well, holding tight tolerances for precision components. Its Rockwell R118 hardness and low friction make it easy to work with standard tooling, and finished parts often run dry without added lubrication.

Ready to spec material for your build?

Get a quote on cut-to-size sheets and rods, request a full data sheet, or talk to a plastics engineer. We answer in under two hours, M–F 8am–6pm ET.