Description

Cast nylon 6 plastic rod is round stock for turned and machined parts that need strength, toughness, and steady wear performance. It is used for components that slide, rotate, or support loads, and as a lighter replacement for metal bearings and bushings in equipment and fabrication work.

Cast nylon 6 has high tensile and compressive strength, good abrasion resistance, and a low coefficient of friction, so it holds up to repeated movement, contact, and moderate impact. It also tends to run more quietly than metal in moving assemblies. The rod machines well with standard shop equipment, which makes it practical for custom bushings, rollers, gears, spacers, and prototype parts.

Cut tolerance: +0.0″ / −0.2″

Advantages

Wear resistance: for sliding, rolling, and contact surfaces where abrasion is a concern
Load capacity: high tensile and compressive strength for load-bearing machined parts
Low friction: smoother running in moving components
Noise reduction: can quiet moving assemblies compared with harder materials
Machinability: can be cut, drilled, turned, and milled into custom parts
Weight savings: lighter than the metal components it often replaces

Applications

Bearings, bushings, and sleeves
Gears, rollers, wheels, pulleys, and sheaves
Wear pads, slide pads, and guide components
Spacers, washers, and custom machined parts
Material handling and heavy equipment components
Prototypes and maintenance replacement parts

Color and Grade Options

The rod comes in natural, black, and moly-filled cast nylon. Natural is the standard unfilled grade. None of these rods, including black, are UV stabilized, so confirm suitability before using them for parts that will spend long periods outdoors. Moly-filled rod contains molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) for higher wear resistance and load capacity with less wear on mating parts; it is widely used for crane sheaves, telescoping-boom wear pads, bushings, and gears.

Fabrication and Handling Notes

Cast nylon 6 rod machines cleanly with sharp tools, correct feeds and speeds, and good chip clearance, which improve the finish and limit heat buildup.

Like other nylons, it takes up moisture from its surroundings, and this can shift the dimensions of close-tolerance parts. For precision components, account for the service environment and support requirements when you machine to final size.