PA6 Tube — IDs, ODs, Wall Thicknesses & Lengths
PA6 tube is hollow extruded stock produced from Polyamide 6 (Nylon 6). Pre-formed hollow geometry reduces machining time when producing sleeve bearings, wear bushings, conduit liners, and cylindrical housing components for industrial equipment and automation systems.
At a glance:
- OD range: 0.5" to 6.0" (common stocked sizes)
- Wall thickness: varies by OD; typically 0.125" to 0.750"
- Standard lengths: 4 ft
- ID tolerance: ±0.010" (typical); tighter on request
- Material: Polyamide 6 (PA6, Nylon 6) — extruded
- Color: Natural (off-white/ivory)
Standard Size Table
PA6 tube is stocked in common OD/ID combinations:
| OD | ID | Wall | Standard Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.75" | 0.375" | 0.188" | 4 ft | Small sleeve bearings |
| 1.00" | 0.50" | 0.25" | 4 ft | Light-duty bushings |
| 1.50" | 0.875" | 0.313" | 4 ft | General-purpose liners |
| 2.00" | 1.25" | 0.375" | 4 ft | Medium bushings, spacers |
| 2.50" | 1.75" | 0.375" | 4 ft | Conveyor components |
| 3.00" | 2.25" | 0.375" | 4 ft | Large bore sleeves |
| 4.00" | 3.00" | 0.50" | 4 ft | Heavy-duty bearing liners |
Custom OD/ID combinations and cut-to-length service are available from Ready Plastics.
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% |
| Flammability (UL 94) | HB |
| Dielectric strength | 635 V/mil (24 kV/mm) |
Typical Applications
PA6 tube stock is used for:
- Sleeve bearings and bushings — hollow geometry minimizes bore machining; good wear resistance supports long service life
- Conduit liners — protects wire and cable runs in industrial equipment
- Wear sleeves — replaceable cylindrical wear surfaces in pumps and conveyors
- Spacers and stand-offs — lightweight cylindrical spacers for mechanical assemblies
- Roller cores — lightweight PA6 tube used as the core of conveyor rollers
Machining PA6 Tube
Turning PA6 tube on a lathe is straightforward — use sharp tooling and moderate speeds to maintain ID and OD concentricity. When pressing PA6 tube into a housing for a bearing application, allow for dimensional growth due to moisture absorption; specify interference fits accordingly, or use a retaining compound for a reliable connection. Cutting to length is easily accomplished with a bandsaw or miter saw.
Related
- PA6 Material Line Card
- PA6 Rod — solid round bar for fully machined components
- PA6 Sheet — flat plate for panels and wear surfaces