What is PA6 and ABS?

  PA6 and ABS are two distinct and important families of engineering thermoplastics. PA6, or Nylon 6, is a semicrystalline polyamide polymer known for its toughness, high strength, and excellent wear and abrasion resistance. It also features good chemical resistance and fatigue endurance. Common applications leverage its mechanical properties and include gears, bearings, combs, fan parts, and industrial components like conveyor belts. While generally considered safe, it is recommended to avoid prolonged contact with strong acids and bases. It is also hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture from the environment, which can affect its dimensions and mechanical properties during processing.

  ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is an amorphous terpolymer. It combines the strength and rigidity of acrylonitrile, the toughness and impact resistance of butadiene (from its polybutadiene rubber phase), and the excellent processability and gloss of styrene. This results in a material with high impact strength, good mechanical properties, a bright surface finish, and good heat resistance. ABS can also be easily electroplated. It is widely used for housings of appliances like TVs and telephones, automotive interior trim, protective helmets, and consumer goods such as toys and keyboard keys.

In summary, PA6 excels in applications requiring high strength, wear resistance, and fatigue endurance, often in mechanical parts. In contrast, ABS is favored for its combination of toughness, aesthetic surface quality, and ease of processing in both consumer and industrial applications.