Polyamide (PA66), also known as Nylon 66 or polyhexamethylene adipamide, is an engineering plastic with excellent performance, synthesized through the polycondensation of hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid. It possesses the following key characteristics:
High Strength and Rigidity: PA66 has higher mechanical strength, elastic modulus, and rigidity compared to PA6.
Outstanding Wear Resistance: As one of the best wear-resistant polyamides, PA66 excels in applications like mechanical parts, gears, bearings, and other wear-resistant components.
Excellent Heat Resistance: With a melting point of 250-260°C, PA66 has superior heat resistance compared to PA6, making it suitable for high-temperature environments.
Strong Chemical Resistance: PA66 is resistant to corrosion from oils, acids, alkalis, and a variety of chemicals.
Good Self-Lubricating Properties: In addition to wear resistance, PA66 exhibits self-lubricating properties, second only to POM (Polyoxymethylene).
Good Stress Cracking Resistance and Impact Resistance: PA66 has excellent resistance to stress cracking and good impact strength.
Dimensional Stability: PA66 has lower moisture absorption compared to PA6, though moisture can still affect its dimensional stability.
Wide Range of Applications: PA66 is widely used in mechanical parts around automotive engines, electronic and electrical devices, industrial gears, textiles, and more.
Although PA66 has various advantages, its wear resistance can still be improved for use in demanding industrial environments.
This article explores proven modification methods for PA66 and introduces SILIKE LYSI-704, a silicone-based lubricant processing additive offering superior wear resistance, and sustainability compared to traditional PTFE solutions.
What Specific Modification Technology Improves PA66′s Wear Resistance for Industrial Use?
Traditional Methods to Improve PA66 Wear Resistance for Industrial Use:
1. Adding Reinforcing Fibers
Glass Fiber: Adds tensile strength, stiffness, and abrasion resistance, making PA66 more rigid and durable. Adding around 15% to 50% glass fiber significantly enhances wear resistance and stability.
Carbon Fiber: Improves impact resistance, stiffness, and reduces weight. It also enhances wear resistance and mechanical strength for structural and high-performance parts.
2. Use of Mineral Fillers
Mineral Fillers: These fillers harden the PA66 surface, reducing wear rates in highly abrasive environments. They also improve dimensional stability by lowering thermal expansion and increasing heat deflection temperature, which contributes to long service life in demanding conditions.
3. Incorporation of Solid Lubricants and Additives
Additives: Additives such as PTFE, MoS₂, or silicone masterbatches reduce friction and wear on the PA66 surface, leading to smoother operation and extended part life, especially in moving mechanical parts.
4. Chemical Modifications (Copolymerization)
Chemical Modifications: Introducing new structural units or copolymers reduces moisture absorption, enhances toughness, and can improve surface hardness, thus increasing wear resistance.
5. Impact Modifiers and Compatibilizers
Impact Modifiers: Adding impact modifiers (e.g., EPDM-G-MAH, POE-G-MAH) improves toughness and durability under mechanical stress, which indirectly supports wear resistance by preventing crack formation.
6. Optimized Processing and Drying Techniques
Proper Drying and Controlled Processing: PA66 is hygroscopic, so proper drying (at 80–100°C for 2-4 hours) before processing is critical to avoid moisture-related defects that can negatively impact wear resistance. Additionally, maintaining controlled temperatures during processing (260–300°C) ensures the material remains strong and stable.
7. Surface Treatments
Surface Coatings and Lubricants: Applying external lubricants or surface coatings, such as ceramic or metal coatings, can significantly reduce friction and wear. This is especially beneficial for high-speed or high-load applications where additional friction reduction is necessary to prolong the material’s service life.
Innovative PTFE-Free Solution for Wear-Resistant Polyamide (PA66) Engineering Plastics: SILIKE LYSI-704
Beyond conventional modification methods, SILIKE LYSI-704—a silicone-based wear-resistant additive—marks a significant breakthrough in improving PA66’s durability and performance.
Modification Plastics Technology Overview
LYSI-704 is a silicone-based additive that enhances PA66’s wear resistance by forming a persistent lubrication layer within the polymer matrix. Unlike traditional wear-resistant solutions such as PTFE, LYSI-704 disperses uniformly throughout the nylon at remarkably low addition rates.
LYSI-704 Key solutions for Engineering Plastics:
Superior Wear Resistance: LYSI-704 provides wear resistance comparable to PTFE-based solutions but at a lower environmental cost, as it is fluorine-free, addressing the increasing concern over PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).
Improved Impact Strength: In addition to enhancing wear resistance, LYSI-704 also improves impact strength, which was previously difficult to achieve simultaneously with high wear resistance.
Aesthetic Improvements: When incorporated into PA66 with glass fibers, LYSI-704 addresses the issue of fiber floating, improving surface quality and making it ideal for applications where appearance is important.
Sustainability: This silicone-based technology offers a sustainable alternative to PTFE, reducing resource consumption and carbon footprints while delivering high performance.
Experimental Results
Conditions for the wear resistance test: application of a 10-kilogram weight, exertion of 40 kilograms of pressure on the sample, and a duration of 3 hours.
In PA66 material, the friction coefficient of the blank sample is 0.143, and the mass loss due to wear amounts to 1084mg. Even though the friction coefficient and mass wear of the sample with added PTFE have notably declined, they still can’t match LYSI – 704.
When 5% LYSI – 704 is added, the friction coefficient is 0.103 and the mass wear is 93mg.
Why silicone masterbatch LYSI-704 Over PTFE?
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Comparable or better wear resistance
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No PFAS concerns
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Lower addition rate required
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Added benefits for surface finish
Ideal Applications:
Anti-wear additive LYSI-704 is particularly useful in industries that require both high performance and sustainability, such as automotive, electronics, and industrial machinery. It’s ideal for applications like gears, bearings, and mechanical components exposed to high wear and stress.
Conclusion: Enhance Your Nylon Components with SILIKE Wear-Resistant Agent LYSI-704
If you’re seeking solutions to enhance the wear resistance of your nylon 66 components or other engineering plastics, SILIKE lubricant LYSI-704 offers a groundbreaking, sustainable alternative to traditional additives like PTFE Lubricants and Additives. By improving wear resistance, impact strength, and surface quality, this silicone-based additive is the key to unlocking the full potential of PA66 in industrial applications.
For more information on how silicone additive LYSI-704 can improve your PA66 components, contact SILIKE Technology today. We provide personalized advice, free samples, and detailed technical support to help you make the best modification technology material decisions for your needs.
Tel: +86-28-83625089 or via Email: amy.wang@silike.cn. Website:www.siliketech.com
Post time: Aug-14-2025
