Cast Nylon Tube — IDs, ODs, Wall Thicknesses & Lengths
Cast nylon tube is hollow stock produced through monomer casting of Polyamide 6. The casting process — used across the cast nylon family — yields a higher-crystallinity PA6 structure with superior load-bearing capacity and wear resistance compared to extruded nylon tube. Cast nylon tube is most valuable in large-bore applications: the casting process can produce hollow sections with outer diameters and wall thicknesses well beyond the practical limits of extrusion, making it the primary hollow form for heavy industrial sleeve bearings, large bushings, and cylindrical wear components.
At a glance:
- OD range: 2.0" to 12"+ (large ODs are the primary advantage over extruded tube)
- Wall thickness: typically 0.5" to 2.0" depending on OD
- Standard lengths: 2 ft and 4 ft (varies by diameter)
- ID tolerance: ±0.030" to ±0.060" depending on diameter
- Material: Monomer-Cast Polyamide 6 (Cast Nylon 6, PA6-G)
- Production method: Monomer casting
- Color: Natural (off-white/ivory)
Standard Size Table
Cast nylon tube is stocked primarily in sizes where casting provides a meaningful advantage over extruded alternatives:
| OD | ID | Wall | Standard Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5" | 1.5" | 0.5" | 4 ft | Medium sleeve bearings |
| 3.0" | 2.0" | 0.5" | 4 ft | Pump and conveyor sleeves |
| 4.0" | 2.5" | 0.75" | 2 ft & 4 ft | Heavy-duty bushings |
| 5.0" | 3.5" | 0.75" | 2 ft | Large bore liner components |
| 6.0" | 4.0" | 1.0" | 2 ft | Industrial wear sleeves |
| 8.0" | 6.0" | 1.0" | 2 ft | Very large bore components |
| 10.0"+ | Custom | Custom | 2 ft | Specialty industrial; confirm availability |
Contact Ready Plastics for custom OD/ID combinations, non-standard wall thicknesses, and large-bore castings.
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 |
Cast nylon tube's high compressive strength (15,000 psi at 10% strain) supports heavy radial loads in large-bore bearing applications where extruded nylon grades may not provide adequate load-bearing capacity.
Typical Applications
Cast nylon tube is the preferred hollow-form stock for:
- Large-bore sleeve bearings — replaces bronze bushings in cranes, presses, and heavy industrial machinery
- Mining and earth-moving equipment bearings — high compressive strength and wear resistance handle extreme loads
- Marine wear sleeves — corrosion-free, self-lubricating sleeve components for marine drive systems
- Pump impeller wear rings — chemical and abrasion resistance in fluid handling equipment
- Conveyor and drive shaft bushings — large-diameter applications in continuous-motion industrial systems
- Hydraulic press guidance sleeves — stable bore dimensions under high radial loading
Machining Cast Nylon Tube
Cast nylon tube machines readily on large lathes and boring mills. Use sharp carbide tooling and moderate spindle speeds; large-diameter workpieces require slower RPM to maintain appropriate surface feet per minute. Bores can be brought to close tolerances with boring bar operations. When used as press-fit or shrink-fit bearings, account for cast nylon's thermal expansion coefficient (44 µin/in/°F) in interference fit calculations. Post-machining stress relief annealing is recommended for complex parts machined from thick-wall sections.
Related
- Cast Nylon Line Card
- Cast Nylon Rod — large-diameter solid bar for gears and heavy bearing components
- Cast Nylon Sheet — flat cast plate for wear liners and structural machine plates