Cast Nylon Rod Machining Guide
Cast Nylon Rod Machining Guide
Practical reference for machining PA6G (Cast Nylon) rod—covering Natural (Ivory), MoS₂‑filled Black and standard Blue grades.
Quick‑Reference Cutting Parameters
| Operation | Tool Material | Surface Speed (Vc) m/min | Feed Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turning | Carbide (sharp uncoated) | 300‑600 | 0.10‑0.25 mm/rev | Positive rake +6° to +12° |
| Milling | 2‑flute Carbide End‑Mill | 200‑400 | 0.04‑0.15 mm/tooth | Climb cut if rigid |
| Drilling ≤ 10 mm dia | HSS Jobber, 118° | 150‑250 | 0.08‑0.15 mm/rev | Peck every 5× dia |
| Drilling > 10 mm dia | Carbide Spade Bit | 120‑200 | 0.12‑0.25 mm/rev | Pilot first |
| Sawing (Band‑Saw) | Raker set, 3‑4 TPI | Blade ≈ 600 m/min | Manual feed | Air blast to reduce friction |
RPM = (Vc × 1000) / (π × dia).
1. Material Notes — Natural vs MoS₂ Black vs Blue
- Natural (Ivory): Standard cast nylon; cost‑effective with good wear resistance.
- MoS₂ Black: Contains ~2 % molybdenum‑disulfide for lower friction and improved wear; also UV‑stabilised.
- Blue: Colour‑coded for visual part identification and wear detection; standard engineering grade (not food‑grade).
Machining parameters are identical across colours.
2. Material Preparation
- Nylon absorbs moisture—store sealed and acclimatise 24 h in workshop to minimise dimensional shift.
- For tight tolerances (< ±0.05 mm) pre‑dry at 80 °C for 8 h.
- Cut blanks 2 – 3 mm oversize for cleanup.
3. Lathe Turning
Tooling & Setup
- Sharp, polished‑face carbide inserts.
- Soft‑jaw chuck or collet; support long bars with steady‑rest.
Technique
- Rough 1 – 2 mm depth, feed ≈ 0.20 mm/rev.
- Finish ≤ 0.4 mm depth, feed ≈ 0.08 mm/rev.
- Avoid coolant—use air blast; liquid can swell nylon.
4. Milling
- Single‑flute O‑spiral cutters minimise heat.
- High spindle speed, moderate chip load; evacuate chips with air.
- Secure rod in V‑block.
5. Drilling
- Use brad‑point bits for clean entry.
- Lower RPM if holes glaze; increase peck frequency.
6. Sawing & Parting‑Off
- Sharp blade essential—nylon smears when hot.
- Support rod both sides; keep feed steady.
7. Finishing & Tolerances
- Typical achievable tolerance: ±0.08 mm.
- Post‑machine annealing at 165 °C for 2 h relieves stress on large diameters.
8. Troubleshooting
- Stringy chips wrap tool
- Increase feed; use chip‑breaker; improve evacuation.
- Glossy surface
- Lower speed; sharpen tool; add air blast.
- Dimensional growth
- Dry material longer; rest 24 h before finish pass.
9. Safety & Handling
- Nylon dust can irritate—use extraction or N95 mask.
- Avoid inhaling fumes if overheated (> 260 °C).
10. Downloads & Further Resources
Download the printable PDF cheat‑sheet
Need material? Browse Natural, MoS₂ Black & Blue Cast Nylon Rod →
Disclaimer
The information on this page is provided as a general guide only. Machining outcomes vary with equipment condition, operator skill, and environmental factors. Always verify cutting parameters against your own trials, follow relevant Australian Standards, and consult your machine manuals before commencing work. Warlond Plastics Pty Ltd accepts no responsibility for any loss, injury, or damage arising from the use of this guide.