Cast Nylon Sheet — Thicknesses, Sizes & Stock Forms
Cast nylon sheet is flat plate stock produced through monomer casting of Polyamide 6. Like cast nylon rod, the casting process yields higher crystallinity and better load-bearing properties than extruded nylon sheet — making cast nylon plate the preferred material for heavy wear liners, structural machine plates, and components where thickness or cross-sectional size would be impractical to extrude. Cast nylon sheet combines excellent wear resistance, low friction, and high compressive strength with the self-lubricating character that makes nylon an effective metal replacement in many heavy industrial designs.
At a glance:
- Thickness range: 0.5" to 6"+ (heavy sections achievable only through casting)
- Standard sheet sizes: 24" × 48" and 48" × 96" (large custom cast plates available)
- Thickness tolerance: ±5% to ±8% depending on thickness
- Material: Monomer-Cast Polyamide 6 (Cast Nylon 6, PA6-G)
- Production method: Monomer casting
- Color: Natural (off-white/ivory)
Standard Thickness Table
Cast nylon sheet thickness options include heavy sections not available in extruded nylon:
| Thickness | Standard Sheet Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.50" | 24" × 48" & 48" × 96" | Wear plates, slide pads |
| 0.75" | 24" × 48" & 48" × 96" | Structural wear components |
| 1.00" | 24" × 48" & 48" × 96" | Heavy wear liners |
| 1.50" | 24" × 48" & 48" × 96" | Machine wear plates |
| 2.00" | 24" × 48" | Heavy structural components |
| 3.00" | 24" × 48" | Very thick wear pads and machine plates |
| 4.00"+ | Custom sizes | Specialty heavy-section components |
Contact Ready Plastics for custom thicknesses and cut-to-size service.
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 12,300 psi (84 MPa) |
| Tensile modulus | 508,000 psi (3,500 MPa) |
| Compressive stress (10% strain) | 15,000 psi (100 MPa) |
| Tensile strain at break | 25% |
| Izod impact (notched) | 0.6 ft·lb/in (32 J/m) |
| Rockwell hardness | R118 |
| Density | 0.042 lb/in³ (1.1 g/cm³) |
| Max service temp (short-term) | 340 °F (170 °C) |
| Heat deflection temperature (264 psi) | 355 °F (175 °C) |
| Min service temperature | −30 °F (−34 °C) |
| Water absorption (saturation, air) | 2.2% |
| Dielectric strength | 635 V/mil (24 kV/mm) |
| Volume resistivity | >10¹⁴ Ω·cm |
| Flammability (UL 94) | HB |
The higher-crystallinity structure from casting gives cast nylon sheet better compressive load resistance under sustained loading compared to extruded nylon sheet — a key reason it is preferred for wear pads and machine plates that bear significant static or dynamic loads.
Typical Applications
Cast nylon sheet is specified for demanding flat-stock applications:
- Heavy wear liners — crusher liners, hopper liners, and chute wear pads in mining and bulk material handling
- Machine slide and guide plates — low friction and wear resistance replace steel and bronze wear surfaces
- Structural machine plates — lightweight, load-bearing plates in industrial machinery frames
- Star wheels and cam plates — machined flat stock for high-load mechanical drive components
- Bearing retainer plates — flat load-distribution components in press and heavy machinery applications
- Dock and marine wear pads — corrosion resistance and self-lubrication suit marine environments
Machining Cast Nylon Sheet
Cast nylon sheet is easily machined with carbide tooling — saw cutting, milling, drilling, and routing all produce excellent results. Sharp tooling and moderate feed rates prevent heat build-up and maintain surface quality. Large flat components should be stress-relief annealed if machined aggressively or if tight flatness tolerances are required after cutting. Cast nylon sheet holds form better than many unreinforced plastics in heavy-cut operations.
Related
- Cast Nylon Line Card
- Cast Nylon Rod — large-diameter round bar for gears and heavy bearings
- Cast Nylon Tube — hollow sections for heavy-duty sleeve applications