Basics
Cast nylon, PA6G, nylon 6G: one material, many names
Industry gives one material several names. A machinist says cast nylon, a drawing says PA6G, a catalogue says nylon 6G. They all describe the same family.
The names of this material
| Name | Where it is used |
|---|---|
| Cast nylon | Common trade name in English |
| Cast polyamide | Technical and general name |
| PA6G | Short name on drawings and in standards (G stands for cast) |
| PA6C | Short name used by some manufacturers (C stands for cast) |
| Nylon 6G | Name used in some catalogues |
Which name should I use?
Any of them is understood. What really matters is whether the material is cast. Not every product sold as "nylon sheet" is cast nylon. We explain the difference between extruded PA6 and cast PA6G in this guide.
Do not confuse it with brand names
Some manufacturers give the material their own brand name. KESTAMİT and CASTOMID® are our registered trademarks. The general name describes the material. The brand name tells you the manufacturer.
What to ask when you order
- Material: is it cast PA6G?
- Additive: standard, oil-filled or MoS2?
- Colour: yellow or cream?
- Size and quantity: width, length, thickness, or diameter and length.
How to write your request
A missing definition causes more trouble than the name. Instead of "we need nylon", write:
"Cast PA6G, yellow, standard grade, 1000 × 2000 × 30 mm sheet, 2 pieces."
This one sentence gives material, colour, additive, size and quantity. The supplier can quote without asking anything else.
Three common mix-ups
Not every yellow plastic is cast nylon
Colour alone proves nothing. Other plastics can be yellow too. Ask for the material type in writing.
Not all cast nylon is the same
The same name can cover different additives and production quality. Two cast nylon quotes may not describe the same product.
Nylon and cast nylon are not the same thing
"Nylon" is a very broad word. A thin extruded nylon sheet and a thick cast PA6G block do not behave the same.
What to write on a drawing
The material box usually says "PA6G" or "PA6 G".
| On the drawing | Understood as |
|---|---|
| PA6G | Cast polyamide 6 |
| PA6G + oil | Oil-filled cast polyamide |
| PA6G + MoS2 | MoS2-filled cast polyamide |
| PA6 | Usually extruded, not cast |
The last row matters. If the drawing says only "PA6", the buyer may get a different product. If you need cast, say so clearly. See the technical properties for typical values.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a quality difference between PA6G and cast nylon?
No difference comes from the name. Quality depends on the manufacturer, the casting process and the additive. Asking for technical values is the safest way.
Is polyamide the same as cast nylon?
Every cast nylon is a polyamide, but not every polyamide is cast nylon. Cast nylon is the polyamide made by casting.
Is cast nylon the same as nylon 6?
It is nylon 6 made by casting. That makes it harder and stiffer than extruded nylon 6.
Figures are typical values published by manufacturers and vary with grade and test conditions. Ask us for exact values.