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Nylon Abrasive Brushes

Carolina Brush Company predominantly uses fiber from Type 6, Type 6.6, and Type 6.12. Nylon offers a combination of excellent bend recovery, abrasion resistance, flex fatigue resistance and chemical resistance. It is one of the most versatile synthetic brush fill materials. All nylons absorb water is wet conditions, which will reduce their stiffness; up to 30% for Type 6.12, and up to 80% for Type 6.

Nylon Brush Filament

Nylon has excellent resistance to most substances, including hydrocarbons (such as gasoline, kerosene, and diesel fuel), oils, cleaning solutions, and alkalis. It is however attacked by oxidizing agents, organic and mineral acids, and aromatic alcohols. It will absorb small amounts of water, low molecular weight alcohols (e.g., methyl, ethyl, or isopropyl alcohols) and chlorinated solvents, and be plasticized by them. This may result in a temporary loss of stiffness and tensile strength. Type 6.12 is more resistant to dilute acids and other water soluble substances than Type 6 of 6.6, thereby making it most suitable for wet applications. Some diameters of specialty nylon filament such as abrasive impregnated, conductive 6.6 and heat stabilized 6.6 are available.

Some diameters of specialty nylon filament such as abrasive impregnated, conductive 6.6 and heat stabilized 6.6 are available.

Fiber Property Comparisons

Filament Melting Point (*F) Tensile Modulus (kpsi) Tensile Strength (kpsi) Flicking Action % Bend Recovery Relative Abrasion Resistance
Nylon 6 410 480 53 Excellent 97 Excellent
Nylon 6.6 495 520 48 Excellent 97 Excellent
Nylon 6.12           410 480 42 Excellent 93 Excellent
Polypropylene 320 740 53 Good 75 Fair
Polyester 430 445 31 Excellent 92 Good

Filament Set Resistance Relative Flex Fatigue Resistance Water Absorption % Max Retention of Stiffness in Water Sunlight & UV Light Resistance General Solvent Resistance
Nylon 6 Good Excellent 9 Poor Fair Excellent
Nylon 6.6 Good Excellent 9 Poor Fair Excellent
Nylon 6.12           Good Excellent 3 Good Fair Excellent
Polypropylene Fair Best <0.1 Excellent Poor Excellent
Polyester Good Good 0.5 Excellent Fair Excellent

The above compares in a general way some of the properties of the synthetic filaments we most commonly use to aid in distinguishing between them when selecting the filament best suited for a particular application.