Deflashing Nylatron

Introduction to Nylatron

Nylatron is a brand name for a family of engineering thermoplastic materials that are based on nylon (specifically, nylon 6 or nylon 6/6). It is a type of nylon with enhanced mechanical properties, making it suitable for demanding applications that require high strength, wear resistance, and dimensional stability.

Nylatron is known for its excellent toughness, high tensile and compressive strength, and low coefficient of friction. These properties make it well-suited for applications involving heavy loads, impact, and sliding or rotating components. Nylatron is often used as a substitute for metals and other materials in applications where weight reduction, corrosion resistance, and self-lubricating properties are desired.

The specific properties of Nylatron can vary depending on the grade and composition. Different formulations may incorporate additives or fillers such as molybdenum disulfide, glass fibers, or other reinforcing materials to enhance specific characteristics. For example, the addition of molybdenum disulfide provides improved wear resistance and reduced friction.

Nylatron is commonly used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, industrial manufacturing, and construction. Typical applications include gears, bearings, bushings, wear pads, rollers, seals, and various mechanical components.

It’s important to note that while Nylatron is a well-known brand name for nylon-based materials, there are also other manufacturers that produce similar nylon-based products under different brand names or generic names like “nylon engineering plastic” or “nylon composite.”

Molding Nylatron

Nylatron, like other thermoplastic materials, can be molded into parts using various molding techniques. The specific molding method chosen depends on the complexity of the part, the desired properties, and the production volume. Two common molding techniques for Nylatron are injection molding and compression molding.

Injection Molding: Injection molding is the most commonly used method for molding thermoplastics, including Nylatron. The process involves the following steps:
Material Preparation: Nylatron is typically supplied in the form of pellets or granules. These pellets are dried to remove any moisture, as moisture can affect the quality of the final product.
Melting: The Nylatron pellets are fed into an injection molding machine, which has a heating barrel and a screw mechanism. Inside the barrel, the pellets are heated and melted, forming a molten plastic.
Injection: The molten Nylatron is injected into a mold cavity under high pressure using the screw mechanism. The mold is typically made of two halves that form the desired shape of the part.
Cooling and Solidification: After injection, the mold is cooled to allow the molten Nylatron to solidify and take the shape of the mold cavity. The cooling time depends on the part’s size and thickness.
Ejection: Once the part has solidified, the mold opens, and the finished part is ejected from the mold using pins or an ejection system.
Compression Molding: Compression molding is another technique used for molding Nylatron, especially for large or thick parts. The process involves the following steps:
Preheating: Nylatron material is preheated to a specific temperature, making it soft and pliable.
Loading: The preheated Nylatron is placed into a heated mold cavity.
Compression: The mold is closed, and pressure is applied to compress the Nylatron material, forcing it to conform to the shape of the mold.
Cooling: The mold is cooled to allow the Nylatron to solidify and retain its shape.
Ejection: Once cooled, the mold opens, and the finished part is removed from the mold.

Both injection molding and compression molding can produce high-quality Nylatron parts with excellent mechanical properties. The choice of molding method depends on factors such as part design, complexity, size, production volume, and cost considerations.

Cryogenic Deflashing

Nylatron can be cryogenically deflashed. Cryogenic deflashing is a process used to remove excess flash or burrs from molded plastic parts. Flash refers to the thin, excess material that is produced along the parting line or other areas of the mold during the molding process.

In cryogenic deflashing, the parts are placed in a cryogenic deflashing machine, typically using liquid nitrogen as the cryogen. The parts are cooled to cold temperatures, causing the flash to become brittle. Once the parts reach the desired temperature, they are tumbled and blasted with media to break off the brittle flash. The frozen flash can then be easily removed from the parts.

Cryogenic deflashing is an effective method for removing flash from Nylatron and other thermoplastic materials. It is particularly useful for parts with complex geometries or hard-to-reach areas where traditional trimming methods may be difficult or time-consuming. Cryogenic deflashing helps to improve the aesthetics, functionality, and dimensional accuracy of the molded parts.