Mats elaborates - The difference between Nylon and PP (Blogg)

This is a first post in what will be something of a blog series where we take something of a deep dive into certain areas from our world, "the wheel world" if you like. We hope that it is easy to read and useful for everyone that does, but it is perhaps a little bit more more nerdy compared to our usual communication. The post below is written by our Technical salesman and wheel connoisseur Mats Persson, a short presentation about Mats can be found further down.

Wish you a nice reading.

 

What are the main differences (pros and cons) between PA6 (Nylon) and PP and what should you consider when choosing between these wheels?

Spontaneously, PA6 wheels are stronger and tougher than PP wheels. On the other hand, PP wheels have better chemical resistance and do not absorb moisture, but become brittle at lower temperatures. PA6 wheels are mainly used for higher loads and tougher handling and a PP wheel works excellently for simpler equipment such as furniture, shop fittings and lighter trollies etc.. Both PA6 and PP have low torsional and rolling resistance and the hardness of the wheels is measured in Shore D. When you talk about plastic wheels, you usually think of PA6 or PP wheels. PA6, polyamide and nylon are the same and PP, polypropylene and polypropylene are also the same.

"I wonder if it was PA6 or PP wheels I graded as a child,  on a Saturday, benched in front of the English Premier League a home."

 

PA6, Polyamide, Nylon:

It was an American chemist employed by the company Dupont who invented and developed the nylon in 1935. Nylon was also used as a trademark for a period. Nylon wheels began to replace steel wheels for carriages etc. in industry during the 1940s.  Properties of PA6 wheels are high load-bearing capacity, durability and rigidity. Good chemical resistance and aging and temperature resistance. Is Self-lubricating during sliding storage. Absorbs moisture that can lead to dimensional changes. PA6 wheels are normally injection molded but are available cast as PA6G for very high loads. It is also possible to glass fiber reinforce PA6 wheels to e.g. cope with higher temperatures and decrease moisture absorption.

PP, Polypropylene:

In the middle of the 50's, a German and a French chemist developed Polypropylene and a commercial production started a few years later. Properties of PP wheels are low density and good load-bearing capacity. Very good chemical resistance and good resistance to water. Cannot handle the cold and UV radiation so good if you do not use stabilizers.

“I remember once more in the past, when I was involved in delivering pneumatic tires with a red PP rim from Italy to a company that manufactured boat trailers. In a short time, the nice red rim turned pale pink with a complaint as a result. It turned out that they failed to add stabilizers. In the end, the customer used the wheels as bite toys for their large dogs.”

 

If you look at PP and PA6 from an environmental / recycling perspective, we are offering wheels with recycled material in the range. We also reuse and grind all natural waste in the form of casting and more in production and have done so for decades. So the trend of reused/recycled material is nothing new at the factory in Hillerstorp.

In summary, PA6 and PP wheels have quite similar properties. Choose PA6 when you have slightly higher demands on the wheel and PP for easier handling. Trying to be a little more concrete, in our range PP is perfect up to 160 kg dynamic load capacity, of course simplified and with the need to take other parameters into consideration. PP wheels also have a slightly lower material price.
Swede-Wheel today offers a wide range of PP and PA6 wheels and if you are wondering which wheel is right for your application, please contact me or one of my colleagues.

 

"I guess I'm a real nerd, but I really find whole pallet full of sparkling newly made PA6 or PP wheels to be something quite beautiful."

 

Get to know Mats Persson,

Technical Sales at Swede-Wheel

How long have you worked at Swede-Wheel?

For 4 years - I have, however, worked with wheels for over 30 years and among other things I started Hjulex in the early 90's with the help of my father, who was then a co-owner of Stellana.

What does a normal working day look like?

After taking care of the daily puzzle with the family, I cycle to the sales office in Örebro. The most common daily tasks are probably classic "sales/service tasks". Serve customers, calculating offers, follow up and process new potential deals. Normally I also go to our factory in Hillerstorp a few times a month to stay updated and also I’m occasionally visit costumers, even though that’s been pretty rare the last year or so.

What is the best thing about your job?

On day is never the same as the day before, we have customers in very many different industries and with different needs and challenges. I am passionate about being able to offer an optimally suitable product so that the customer is satisfied, if the costumer is happy then I am happy. This of course applies to both wheels, castors and conveyors.

On you free time – what’s  your passion?

The family goes first and I love to spend time together with them. When I get  the opportunity, I like to play records, preferable with heavy bass, from my vinyl collection at some nice nightclub. The sewing machine is something that is also close to my heart. I have been collecting old military clothes for a long time that I sew and redesign to a more everyday casual style for my small hobby shop.