PA6 Rod — Diameters, Lengths & Tolerances
PA6 rod is a round extruded stock form produced from Polyamide 6 (Nylon 6). Its high mechanical strength, reliable toughness, and excellent wear resistance make it a go-to starting material for machined bushings, bearings, wear pads, and structural components in general industrial and automation systems.
At a glance:
- Diameter range: 0.25" to 6.0"
- Standard lengths: 4 ft and 8 ft
- OD tolerance: +0.000" / −0.015" (typical for small diameters); larger diameters on request
- Material: Polyamide 6 (PA6, Nylon 6) — extruded
- Color: Natural (off-white/ivory)
Standard Diameter Table
PA6 rod is stocked in the following standard diameters:
| Diameter | Standard Lengths | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25" | 4 ft & 8 ft | Small-bore bushings, standoffs |
| 0.50" | 4 ft & 8 ft | Wear pins, guide rods |
| 0.75" | 4 ft & 8 ft | Light-duty bearings |
| 1.00" | 4 ft & 8 ft | General machining stock |
| 1.50" | 4 ft & 8 ft | Structural and load-bearing parts |
| 2.00" | 4 ft & 8 ft | Pulleys, rollers, larger bushings |
| 3.00" | 4 ft | Heavy-section machined components |
| 4.00" | 4 ft | Large-diameter structural parts |
Sizes outside this range are available upon request. Contact Ready Plastics for custom diameters or cut-to-length service.
Mechanical Properties
PA6 provides strong mechanical performance for continuous-duty applications. Key property values from the material brief:
| 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% |
| Flammability (UL 94) | HB |
| Dielectric strength | 635 V/mil (24 kV/mm) |
PA6 is an extruded nylon grade. For larger-diameter rod where a higher-crystallinity, higher-load-bearing structure is needed, consider Cast Nylon rod, which is produced via a monomer-casting process that can achieve diameters well beyond standard extrusion limits.
Typical Applications
PA6 rod is commonly machined into:
- Bushings and sleeve bearings — low friction, good wear life in rotating or sliding contact
- Wear pads and guide components — resists abrasion in material handling equipment
- Gears and sprockets — toughness absorbs shock loads in automation systems
- Structural standoffs and spacers — lightweight, machinable alternative to aluminum
- Rollers and pulleys — industrial machinery requiring non-marking contact surfaces
Machining PA6 Rod
PA6 machines readily with standard carbide or high-speed-steel tooling. Use sharp tools, moderate feed rates, and avoid excessive heat build-up — nylons can distort if heat is not managed. Compressed air or a light mist coolant is recommended for precision bores. Dimensional conditioning (soaking in water or oil) may be required for applications with tight tolerances in high-humidity environments.
Related
- PA6 Material Line Card
- PA6 Sheet — flat plate stock for panels and structural plate applications
- PA6 Tube — hollow stock for sleeves and bearing liners