Submitted: August, 2001

What are the material degradation temperatures of Nylon 6, 6/6, and 11? Do you know of any time relationship to the degradation temperatures? For example, 2 minutes at 300 C,  etc.?

Nylon (any grade) is a very sensitive resin as regards thermal degradation. Essentially, once the material is liquid (at approx. 530°F), the material will begin to degrade. Whereas you could allow polypropylene to sit for an hour at 430° and it wouldn't cause any real problems (a quick purge and you're on your way again), not so with nylon.

I would always put an absolute limit of 10 minutes idle at process temperature. More specific degradation information can be gotten from the resin manufacturer, but in general, expect nylon to degrade quickly. There are also safety issues to be concerned with when processing a crystalline resin such as nylon or delrin. Again, you would do well to bring your resin manufacturer into the discussion.