Chemical properties | AMILAN™ | TORAY PLASTICS (2024)

Generally speaking, nylon exhibits strong resistance to chemicals. Under ordinary conditions nylon is alkaline. Nylon will not degenerate as a result of exposure to alcohols, ethers, ketones, hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, lubricant oils, cleaning agents or water (including seawater).

Ⅰ. Absorption rate of substances that dissolve nylon

At room temperature, nylon is dissolved by phenols, calcium chloride-saturated methanol solution and concentrated formic acid. Nylon is also dissolved by concentrated sulfuric acid, concentrated nitric acid and concentrated hydrochloric acid, in which case partial hydrolysis also occurs.
At high temperatures, nylon is dissolved by benzyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, glacial acetic acid, ethylene chlorohydrin, propylene glycol, trichloroethylene and a methanol solution of zinc chloride.

Ⅱ. Substances that cause solvent cracking

A 5% solution of sulfuric acid, a 5% aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, ethylene glycol or polylactic acid will cause solvent cracking in nylon.

Ⅲ. Nylon resistance to lubricants

Table 6: CM1017 (nylon 6) resistance to lubricants
Type of lubricant	Immersion time (hours)	Weight change (%)	Tensile strength (MPa)	Tensile breaking elongation (%)
-	0	-	85	72
Grease 23°C	100 500 1000	0.4 0.4 0.4	58 56 55	200＜ 200＜ 200＜
Grease 80°C	100 500 1000	-0.2 -1.2 0.2	74 86 69	197 120 125
Engine oil 23°C	100 500 1000	0.3 0.1 0.1	61 69 67	200＜ 166 179
Engine oil 80°C	100 500 1000	0.9 0.7 0.3	68 72 72	80 84 85

Ⅳ. Nylon resistance to gasoline

Nylon is one of the most gasoline-resistant resins. That said, high-octane gasoline will cause some deterioration in nylon. Table 7 shows results from gasoline immersion tests.

Table 7: CM1017 (nylon 6) resistance to gasoline
Type of lubricant	Immersion time (hours)	Weight change (%)	Tensile strength (MPa)	Tensile breaking elongation (%)
-	0	-	85	72
Gasoline 23°C	100 500 1000	0.3 0.1 0.1	60 67 69	200＜ 115 139
Gasoline 80°C	100 500 1000	0.4 0.3 1.3	81 80 66	91 53 167