PA6 / PA66 or POM-H? The honest answer depends on four things: the load the part carries, the environment it lives in, the tolerance the drawing calls for, and the volume you are buying. Below is the comparison we use when we quote both options.
If you already know which one you need, send the drawing and we will confirm it. If you are not sure, the table below usually settles it in one pass.
Nylon vs Delrin: side-by-side comparison
| Dimension | PA6 / PA66 | POM-H |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Strength & performance | Tougher, absorbs impact better | Stiffer, better creep resistance |
| Corrosion / durability | Swells with moisture | Dimensionally stable in humidity |
| Machinability & tolerance | Chips wrap the tool, hard to hold size | Machines cleanly, holds tolerance |
| Lead time & tooling | 1-3 days | 1-3 days |
| Choose it when | Impact and abrasion resistance matter | Dimensional stability matters |
How to decide
- Start with the failure mode, not the price. If the part fails from corrosion, PA6 / PA66 and POM-H are not interchangeable no matter what the price difference is.
- Check the tolerance the function actually needs. Tightening tolerance on a material that machines poorly multiplies the cost difference.
- Check availability. A cheaper material with a four-week lead time is more expensive than a dearer one that ships in a week.
- Check the finishing route. Plating and anodizing behave differently on each option and can change the decision on their own.
Where the cost difference comes from
Material price is only part of it. Machining time, tool wear, scrap rate and finishing cost usually decide the final number. A material that costs twice as much but machines three times faster can be cheaper per part. That is why we quote both options with the process route shown, not just a single price.
Frequently asked questions
Is PA6 / PA66 better than POM-H?
Not in general. PA6 / PA66 wins when impact and abrasion resistance matter, and POM-H wins when dimensional stability matters. Give us the drawing and we will tell you which one we would choose and why.
How much more does PA6 / PA66 cost than POM-H?
The material cost difference is only one input. Machining time and tool life matter as much. Send the part and we will quote both options side by side so the comparison is real.
Can you machine both PA6 / PA66 and POM-H?
Yes. Both are routine for us, and we will say so if one of them is a poor fit for your geometry rather than quote it anyway.
Which one should I use for an export product?
Availability and documentation usually decide it. Both are widely stocked and certified, so the tie-breaker is normally the end user’s specification or the applicable standard.
Related pages
- Comparisons — the full index for this section.
- CNC Machining vs Die Casting: Cost Breakeven
- CNC Machining vs Injection Molding
- Aluminum vs Steel: Weight, Cost, Machinability
- CNC Machining vs 3D Printing: Which Wins?
- Instant CNC quote
- Tolerance quick reference
- Frequently asked questions
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