How to Choose the Right Nylon Strip for an Industrial Application

Selecting the correct nylon strip can improve component life, simplify production, and reduce material waste. However, the most suitable option depends on more than thickness and width. Material grade, operating conditions, tolerances, manufacturing method, and production volume should all be considered.

This guide explains the main factors to evaluate when specifying nylon strip for industrial applications.

What is nylon strip used for?

Nylon strip is widely used to produce precision components that require strength, wear resistance, electrical insulation, or low friction.

Common applications include:

• Washers and seal rings

• Gaskets and shims

• Wear strips and guide strips

• Sleeve bearings

• Spacers and insulating components

• Protective elements

• Stamped and punched parts

Continuous nylon strip is particularly well suited to automatic stamping, punching, progressive tooling, and other high-volume manufacturing processes.

1. Consider the operating environment

Begin by identifying the conditions the finished component will experience.

Important questions include:

• Will the component carry a mechanical load?

• Is it exposed to repeated movement or friction?

• Will it operate in a wet or humid environment?

• Are chemicals, oils, or elevated temperatures present?

• Does it need to provide electrical insulation?

• Is dimensional stability critical?

A general-purpose Nylon 66 may be appropriate for many components. Applications involving continuous sliding or significant wear may benefit from a filled nylon grade with improved friction and wear properties.

Where moisture absorption must be minimised, an alternative engineering plastic such as acetal may be more suitable.

2. Select the appropriate material grade

Different engineering plastics provide different combinations of strength, wear resistance, stability, and machinability.

Unfilled Nylon 66

Nylon 66 offers a useful balance of mechanical strength, toughness, wear resistance, and electrical properties. It is suitable for a wide range of industrial parts and can provide a lightweight, cost-effective alternative to metal.

MoS₂-filled Nylon 66

Adding molybdenum disulphide, or MoS₂, can improve wear performance, surface lubricity, strength, and dimensional stability.

TEPP Plastics manufactures NYLOMOS™, a proprietary MoS₂-filled Nylon 66 developed for demanding applications involving load, friction, or repeated movement. It is suitable for components such as wear strips, washers, gaskets, shims, guides, and stamped parts.

Acetal copolymer

Acetal has low moisture absorption and excellent dimensional stability. It can be a strong choice for precision components operating in wet or humid conditions.

The correct material should always be selected according to the complete application—not one property in isolation.

3. Define the thickness, width, and length

Accurate dimensions help ensure that the material can be integrated efficiently into the customer’s production process.

TEPP Plastics manufactures nylon strip in thicknesses from 0.25 mm to 3.18 mm. Custom-slit widths are available from 8 mm to 304 mm, depending on the material and thickness.

Widths can be slit in 1 mm increments, while continuous strip lengths of up to 500 metres are available for suitable products.

When requesting a quotation, specify:

• Required thickness

• Strip width

• Reel length

• Quantity or annual volume

• Dimensional tolerances

• Preferred material and colour

If the final specification has not yet been established, TEPP Plastics can help assess the application requirements.

4. Establish realistic tolerances

Tighter tolerances can be important for precision stamping, automated assembly, or components where fit directly affects performance. They can also increase manufacturing complexity.

The required tolerance should therefore reflect the functional needs of the finished component.

Consider:

• Which dimensions are genuinely critical?

• Can the production tooling accommodate normal variation?

• Will the material be stamped, punched, slit, or machined?

• Does the component need to fit or move against another part?

Providing a drawing or sample can help the manufacturer understand which dimensions require the closest control.

5. Match the strip to the conversion process

Nylon strip is often selected because it can be supplied in a form that integrates directly

into a production line.

Continuous reels can support:

• Automatic stamping

• Progressive and compound tooling

• Punching and cropping

• High-volume component production

• Reduced material handling

• Lower levels of material waste

For smaller precision parts, thin nylon strip can be more efficient than machining every component from a full sheet or plate.

Custom slitting also allows the material width to be matched more closely to the finished component, helping reduce offcuts and unnecessary processing.

6. Provide complete application information

A material supplier can provide better guidance when the intended use is clearly explained.

A useful enquiry should include:

• A drawing, sketch, or sample

• The component’s function

• Operating temperature and environment

• Load, movement, and wear conditions

• Required dimensions and tolerances

• Expected order quantity

• Current material, if replacing an existing component

• Any problem the new material must solve

Information about premature wear, noise, corrosion, weight, or production cost may identify opportunities to improve the existing component.

Talk to TEPP Plastics about your requirement

TEPP Plastics manufactures precision nylon strip and supplies engineering-plastic materials for industrial applications. Available capabilities include custom slitting, continuous reel production, and made-to-order nylon strip manufactured to customer specifications.

Whether you already have a detailed drawing or need help selecting a suitable material, contact TEPP Plastics to discuss your application.

Request a Quote Today!