What Is Nylatron?
At its foundation, Nylatron is nylon (polyamide) enhanced with solid lubricants, fibers, and other performance additives. The base polymer is most commonly Nylon 6 or Nylon 6/6, selected for its mechanical strength, dimensional stability, and broad chemical resistance. The key differentiator in Nylatron grades is what is added to that base.
The most iconic additive — and the one that gave Nylatron its original fame — is molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), commonly called "moly." This black, platelet-structured mineral acts as a dry lubricant within the nylon matrix, reducing friction at the surface and improving wear resistance dramatically compared to unfilled nylon.
Modern Nylatron grades extend far beyond MoS₂, incorporating glass fibers for structural rigidity, PTFE for ultra-low friction, graphite, oil impregnation, and even heat-stabilizing compounds. Each modification targets a specific performance gap — and understanding those trade-offs is what this guide is for.
While "Nylatron" is a registered brand, many distributors (including Emco) carry equivalent lubricated nylon products under alternative trade names. The properties described in this guide apply to the grade category, not exclusively to the Quadrant brand.
The Nylatron Grades Explained
Below is a detailed breakdown of the most commonly specified Nylatron grades. Each card covers the material's composition, key properties, and ideal applications.
Nylatron GSM
MoS₂-filled Nylon 6 — The Original Standard
Nylatron GSM is the classic, most widely used grade in the Nylatron family. It is a Nylon 6 polymer loaded with approximately 2–3% molybdenum disulfide by weight. The MoS₂ platelets align with the surface during machining and sliding contact, creating a thin self-lubricating layer that dramatically reduces friction and wear versus virgin nylon.
GSM offers a strong balance of mechanical strength, toughness, and machinability. It is the "go-to" grade for general-purpose wear parts where a dry, lubricated surface is required and moderate loads are involved. The addition of MoS₂ also nucleates the crystalline structure of the nylon, improving dimensional stability and slightly raising compressive strength.
Nylatron NSM
MoS₂-filled Nylon 6/6 — Higher Temp Variant
NSM mirrors the MoS₂ lubrication concept of GSM but uses Nylon 6/6 as the base resin rather than Nylon 6. Nylon 6/6 has a higher melting point (~265°C vs ~220°C for Nylon 6) and a slightly higher continuous service temperature, making NSM better suited to environments where temperatures regularly exceed the comfort range of GSM.
Trade-offs include slightly lower toughness and a marginally higher moisture sensitivity versus GSM. NSM is also typically more expensive. However, for applications near motors, heated tooling, or in proximity to process heat, NSM provides meaningful additional thermal headroom.
Nylatron MC901
Cast Nylon 6 — Large Format, High Performance
MC901 stands out from other Nylatron grades because it is cast rather than extruded. The monomer casting process allows very large billets, rods, and custom shapes to be produced — something extrusion struggles with above a certain diameter. The result is a component with excellent crystallinity, low residual stress, and outstanding mechanical properties.
The blue color of MC901 (from a copper-based catalyst in the casting process) is immediately recognizable in machine shops. It offers higher tensile strength and better creep resistance than extruded Nylon 6 GSM, making it the preferred choice for large-diameter gears, wheels, rollers, and structural blocks. It is available in both natural (off-white/ivory) and standard blue formulations.
MC901 is the industry standard for large gears and wheels. When a gear blank exceeds ~150mm diameter, cast nylon is almost always the specified material.
Nylatron LFG
Glass-Filled Nylon — Structural Champion
LFG combines the MoS₂ lubrication of standard Nylatron with short glass fiber reinforcement. The result is a material with significantly elevated tensile and flexural strength, dramatically improved creep resistance, and lower moisture absorption compared to unfilled grades. Stiffness increases by roughly 60–80% over GSM.
The trade-off is reduced impact toughness and harder machining — glass fibers are abrasive to cutting tools, so carbide tooling is recommended. LFG is the right choice when a gear or structural part must carry higher loads, operate under sustained stress, or resist long-term dimensional creep in humid environments.
Nylatron GS
MoS₂ Nylon 6 — Standard Lubrication Sheet Grade
Nylatron GS is closely related to GSM but is primarily optimized as a sheet and plate stock grade. It uses the same MoS₂ additive system in a Nylon 6 base, but production parameters are tuned for consistent flat-sheet properties. This makes it ideal for fabricated wear liners, slide plates, and flat parts that are cut from sheet rather than machined from round or square bar.
GS offers predictable mechanical properties across the sheet thickness, low warpage, and clean cutting behavior with conventional woodworking or metalworking saws. It is often found in food processing equipment and packaging machinery as wear-resistant guides and contact surfaces.
Nylatron 703XL
Oil-Impregnated Cast Nylon — Extreme Lubrication
703XL takes lubrication to the next level by combining cast Nylon 6 with internal oil impregnation plus MoS₂. The oil is locked within the polymer matrix and released under load and heat, providing continuous boundary lubrication even in applications where external lubricant cannot be applied or maintained.
This makes 703XL exceptional for inaccessible bearings, sealed housings, underwater applications, and clean-room environments where contamination from external grease or oil must be avoided. Wear rates in demanding oscillating or sliding contact applications are dramatically lower than any other nylon grade.
Grade Comparison Table
The following table summarizes performance ratings across the key Nylatron grades to help you make a quick side-by-side comparison. Ratings are relative within the Nylatron family (1 = lowest, 5 = highest).
| Grade | Base Resin | Wear Resistance | Tensile Strength | Max Temp | Machinability | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GSM | Nylon 6 + MoS₂ | 90°C | General wear parts | |||
| NSM | Nylon 6/6 + MoS₂ | 105°C | Elevated temp environments | |||
| MC901 | Cast Nylon 6 | 90°C | Large gears & structural | |||
| LFG | Nylon 6 + GF + MoS₂ | 100°C | High-load structural gears | |||
| GS | Nylon 6 + MoS₂ | 85°C | Sheet-stock wear liners | |||
| 703XL | Cast Nylon 6 + Oil + MoS₂ | 90°C | Maintenance-free bearings |
Understanding Moisture & Dimensional Stability
One of the most misunderstood aspects of nylon-based engineering plastics — Nylatron included — is their interaction with moisture. All polyamide materials absorb water from the environment, and this absorption causes dimensional growth. A nylon component machined to tight tolerances in a dry shop may be noticeably larger after installation in a humid environment.
Nylon 6 absorbs approximately 2–3% moisture at equilibrium in ambient air (50% RH) and up to 9–10% when fully immersed in water. This translates to linear dimensional change of ~0.5–0.9% in typical service conditions. Always account for moisture uptake when specifying bearing clearances and tight-tolerance applications.
The MoS₂ additive in Nylatron GSM does nucleate the crystalline structure, which modestly reduces moisture absorption versus unfilled Nylon 6. Glass-filled grades (LFG) show the largest improvement, as glass fibers restrict polymer chain movement and reduce the rate and magnitude of moisture uptake significantly.
For applications requiring the highest dimensional stability, pre-conditioning Nylatron parts in water or steam before final machining is a common practice. This brings the material to its equilibrium moisture content, after which dimensional changes are minimal during service.
Machining Nylatron: Tips & Best Practices
All Nylatron grades machine readily with conventional metalworking equipment. The MoS₂ content in most grades acts as a cutting lubricant, producing clean surfaces and good chip formation. However, a few key principles apply:
Tooling
For GSM, NSM, MC901, and GS grades, HSS or uncoated carbide tools work well. Sharp edges are critical — dull tools generate heat through friction rather than clean shearing, causing surface smear and dimensional inaccuracy. For glass-filled grades (LFG), use carbide tooling exclusively as glass fibers accelerate tool wear significantly.
Speeds & Feeds
Nylon machines best at high speeds and moderate feeds. Cutting speeds of 200–400 m/min for turning are typical. Avoid dwelling in the cut — constant feed prevents heat buildup. Coolant is generally not required but can be beneficial for tight tolerances; if used, ensure adequate drying time before final assembly.
Clamping & Fixturing
Nylatron, like all plastics, is compressible and can deform under excessive clamping force. Use soft jaws, mandrels, or broad clamping surfaces to distribute load. For thin-walled bushings, consider temperature-compensated machining strategies if tolerances are below ±0.05mm.
Allow machined Nylatron components to stabilize at room temperature for a minimum of 2–4 hours before final measurement, especially after operations involving significant material removal. Internal stresses can cause slight spring-back that affects final dimensions.
Quick Grade Selection Guide
Use this guide as a starting point. Contact Emco's technical team for application-specific recommendations.
Nylatron vs. Acetal: Which Should You Choose?
The most common alternative to Nylatron for wear applications is acetal (Delrin® / POM). Both are excellent engineering plastics, but they are not interchangeable. Understanding when to use each is a fundamental skill for any design engineer.
Choose Nylatron when: higher tensile and compressive strength is needed, operating loads are substantial, the part must absorb shock and impact energy, or a self-lubricating surface finish is critical.
Choose Acetal when: tight dimensional tolerances must be held in humid environments (acetal absorbs far less moisture than nylon), a natural white or opaque appearance is required, chemical resistance to bases or alkalis is important, or minimum FDA/NSF compliance is needed without engineering nylon.
Food Contact & FDA Compliance
Several Nylatron grades are available in formulations compliant with FDA 21 CFR regulations for incidental food contact. However, not all Nylatron grades are FDA-compliant — the MoS₂ additive in standard grades disqualifies them from most food contact certifications. When specifying materials for food processing or packaging machinery, always request documentation of specific FDA compliance from Emco or your material supplier.
For food-contact applications requiring lubricated nylon properties, natural (unfilled) Nylon 6 or Nylon 6/6 sheet and rod certified to FDA 21 CFR 177.1500 is the standard recommendation. Alternatively, UHMW polyethylene and acetal homopolymer are commonly specified and offer broader food-contact approvals.
Summary
The Nylatron family offers a remarkably well-differentiated set of solutions for engineering wear problems. The key insight is that no single grade is universally "best" — each one represents a deliberate optimization trade-off. GSM gives you the best all-round performer; NSM adds thermal margin; MC901 enables large-format casting; LFG adds structural stiffness; GS targets sheet-stock applications; and 703XL delivers the ultimate in lubricated bearing performance.
At Emco Industrial Plastics, we stock the full range of Nylatron grades in rod, sheet, and tube formats, and our technical team can assist with grade selection, machining guidance, and custom-cut parts for your specific application. Reach out to discuss your project — no application is too routine or too complex.