Glass-Reinforced Nylon

Glass-Reinforced Nylon (GRN) is a high-performance thermoplastic composite material, typically consisting of a nylon (polyamide) polymer matrix reinforced with chopped glass fibers. The addition of glass fibers significantly enhances the mechanical properties of the base nylon, including tensile strength, flexural modulus, and dimensional stability. It exhibits a higher heat deflection temperature, reduced creep, and a lower coefficient of thermal expansion compared to unreinforced nylon. GRN maintains good chemical resistance to many oils, fuels, and solvents, and offers improved abrasion and fatigue resistance. Its excellent processability allows for complex part geometries through injection molding. The specific properties vary depending on the type of nylon (e.g., PA6, PA66) and the percentage of glass reinforcement (commonly 10% to 50%). While generally tougher than unreinforced nylon, high glass content can sometimes lead to increased brittleness in certain impact scenarios.