PA66 Tube — IDs, ODs, Wall Thicknesses & Lengths
PA66 tube is hollow extruded stock produced from Polyamide 66 (Nylon 66). Greater mechanical strength and improved thermal performance compared to PA6 tube make it the preferred hollow nylon form for applications involving higher loads, elevated operating temperatures, or more demanding wear conditions in industrial 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)
- Material: Polyamide 66 (PA66, Nylon 66) — extruded
- Color: Natural (off-white/ivory)
Standard Size Table
PA66 tube is stocked in common OD/ID combinations:
| OD | ID | Wall | Standard Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.75" | 0.375" | 0.188" | 4 ft | Precision sleeve bearings |
| 1.00" | 0.50" | 0.25" | 4 ft | Bushings and spacers |
| 1.50" | 0.875" | 0.313" | 4 ft | General-purpose liners |
| 2.00" | 1.25" | 0.375" | 4 ft | Medium bearing liners |
| 2.50" | 1.75" | 0.375" | 4 ft | Conveyor and drive components |
| 3.00" | 2.25" | 0.375" | 4 ft | Large-bore sleeve bearings |
| 4.00" | 3.00" | 0.50" | 4 ft | Heavy-duty industrial liners |
Custom OD/ID combinations and cut-to-length service are available from Ready Plastics.
Mechanical Properties
PA66 tube provides higher mechanical performance than PA6 tube for demanding hollow-form applications:
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | Higher than PA6 |
| Stiffness | Increased vs. PA6 — better resistance to deflection in loaded sleeves |
| Heat deflection temperature | Higher than PA6 |
| Wear resistance | Good; suitable for sliding and rotating contact |
| Density | ~0.042 lb/in³ |
| Flammability (UL 94) | HB |
Complete numeric specifications are available in the PA66 material datasheet.
Typical Applications
PA66 tube is used for:
- High-load sleeve bearings — increased strength handles greater radial and axial loads vs. PA6
- Precision bearing liners — stable dimensions under thermal cycling in heated environments
- Wear sleeves in pumps — chemical and wear resistance support fluid-handling equipment
- Cylindrical spacers — lightweight structural spacers in automation frameworks
- Drive and conveyor components — abrasion resistance in continuous-motion applications
Machining PA66 Tube
PA66 tube is machined using standard lathe and milling equipment. Its higher hardness compared to PA6 requires sharp tooling to achieve fine surface finishes on bore and OD surfaces. Boring operations should use consistent feed rates to maintain concentricity. For interference-fit bearing applications, account for PA66's thermal expansion and any residual moisture — allow parts to stabilize before final fitting.
Related
- PA66 Material Line Card
- PA66 Rod — solid bar for fully machined components
- PA66 Sheet — flat plate for panels and wear pads